Chap 1
North's P.O.V
"Hurry up! Come on people! Only 5 more days to Christmas! Are the reindeers taken well care of?" I bellowed throughout the workshop.
Sigh. Christmas is coming soon and still more toys are needed to be wrapped up. What are we going to do? The other guardians are busy with their own jobs, even Jack's busy making it snow outside.
The workshop is always this busy, especially at this time of year. Something I had witnessed and been part of for thousands of years. It always ends up well though. Hopefully, this year's the same as well. As I took a cookie from the elves, I looked out into the window. A snowstorm was forming outside, the wind blowing around madly. In the middle I could spot a figure.
"It must be Jack." Saying this, I opened the big window. As the figure came closer and closer, I saw that this person had no staff.
"This is strange. Where's his staff?" The figure appeared to be struggling too, with arms flaying about, nothing like Jack who could ride the winds like a natural. Still struggling, it seemed to be going unstable.
"Whoa!" A girl's voice was heard from that distance.
"What?" I squinted my eyes, peering out to the figure. As it came closer, I saw it.
Not Jack.
I moved to one side and the person came crashing into the room, tumbling on the ground.
"Ow…"she groaned, rubbing her head. She mumbled something and then got up.
"Ahem! And what are you doing here?"I asked. She became scared stiff, her whole body straightened up. She slowly turned around.
"A-are you North?"She asked, facing me. Her bright green eyes looked at me.
"Yes! And you are?"
"I'm sorry! I'm Suzanna, but you can call me Zanna. So sorry for barging in like this! Ermm…it's like this," she took a deep breath and continued, "Man in Moon wanted me to meet the guardians. He said you could help me."
Znna's P.O.V
I held my breath, hoping he trusts me, because he seems really doubtful right now, scratching his white beard. That's when I realized his tattoos on both arms and the two swords on his body. I gulped.
Please trust me please trust me please trust me…
That's when he said," it has been a long time since a child had visited us. Come! Let's talk over with some cookies the elves made!"
…he wanted to talk? And I thought he was some fierce guy who wouldn't want to talk.
Slowly I sank down into one of the chairs. North then took a plate of cookies and handed one to me. I took it and bit a small piece off. It wasn't to my taste but it was still edible though. Not wanting to be rude, I bit off another piece slowly, hoping I would not be offered another one.
"So Zanna, what happened? How did you get here?" North asked, munching on a cookie. I then explained everything, from the time I woke up to be found in the library, when I got back my memories and when the Man in Moon told me, till when I flew to the workshop.
"So… you're a spirit now, and Man in Moon brought you here, so that we can help? But with what?" North questioned.
I shook my head. "I have no idea either. I thought you had the answer."
North sat there thinking. Finally he spoke. "We will discuss this with the guardians at the meeting later. Zanna, why don't you follow Dingle to the guest room and wait around for a couple of hours perhaps? Sorry but I have other matters to take care of. Christmas is coming in 5 more days and many things still need to be done." Saying this, he got up and opened the door. I walked out, thanking him and followed Dingle, a little elf wearing a hat costume, with a bell attached to the top. Weird if you ask me. Still, I followed behind him. Breaking the silence, I asked. "So… is everyone busy now?"
He nodded his head, making the bell ring too. He started jumping around, making silly faces. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Could you bring me where the toys are made? I'm really curious." He smiled wide, happy to know that someone was interested in his 'work'. He took off, running to where most of the activities were occurring. I giggled, following behind. As we took a lift down, I couldn't help feel awed at the place. Toys were on every table with the yetis doing their job. Toys could be seen flying through the air like magic. It definitely felt magical. The elves were busy with their own things though. As Dingle led me through the whole way, I noticed the huge globe in the middle of the huge room. As I got too carried away looking at it, I didn't notice the yeti walking towards me with a handful of presents.
"Ow!" I fell backwards after my head hit against them. I opened my eyes to see the presents scattered everywhere. The yeti even gasped in horror.
'Oh no! I'm so sorry! I'm such a klutz! Let me help!" I immediately stood back up and grabbed the presents, carrying all of them in my arms. The yeti tried to get them back but I was persistent.
"Where do I put these?" He gave up and pointed towards a chute. Quickly, I ran to the chute and threw them down gently. From below I heard more yetis shouting to others.
Boy, the sound busy! ...I can help them!
I ran to one of the yetis and took the presents of his hands. "These go to the chute right?" He was shock, but gave a quick "yup" reply. I ran back to the chute and dumped them in. The other yetis noticed this and left the presents on the table, knowing that I was helping out. Some even personally handed to me the presents. I ran back and fro as fast as I could, knowing that time was ticking fast for Christmas. I actually never celebrated Christmas before though. It was always the usual every day, performing at the circus. Sigh But, I'm glad I could help out now, at least making good use of myself. The elves noticed this and even came over to help.
Time ticked fast and soon, 3 hours had passed already. I didn't want to stop, though the elves were tired and decided to take a break. The yetis didn't stop and continued on with their work. I realized that although I had been running about, I didn't even break a sweat. It must be the cold weather. I'm actually glad that it's not all sunny and warm or the whole place would be flooded with our sweat and stink up.
"Would you stop painting your eggs?!" North's voice was heard from above. I looked up and from below, I could see 3 figures. North was there, talking to what it seems to me a huge grey kangaroo with a rabbit's ear and short tail, which he then replied.
"I need to prepare for Easter North! After Christmas will be Easter. I need to prepare mate! Besides, it calms me down ok?" A voice with an Australian accent replied back, sounding in a hurry too.
"Easter is not that close! You have much time to prepare for it! The river and plants can help you paint the eggs even! Christmas is 5 more days and I am-"North was interrupted by the Easter Bunny's complaint, something about judging others. Besides them, a lady, who seems to be half bird half human, was flying about, talking to little fairies, whose colours were of bright green and purple. They were talking about…teeth? The fairies don't even talk back normally, only giving out high-pitch noises.
Going to the lift, I decided to check on things. Once at the top floor, I sneakily went to where North and the other guardians were. Truth was, I didn't need to sneak at all. They were all busy with either their arguing or orders. From my spot, I could see another of North's friend. A short little man, who was made of yellow sand, standing and sleeping at the same time. Just then, he woke up and turned around to face me. We looked at each other for a while. I then smiled, waving my hand. He did so too. I walked to him and asked," When will they stop their chattering?" In reply, yellow sand formed above his head, shaping to a question mark.
"Hmm…" I thought for a while. Soon, Dingle appeared. Seeing me, he ran over and wanted to bring me somewhere. "Wait Dingle! North wanted me to meet the guardians for help."
The little man beside me had a shocked expression. He grabbed Dingle by his hat and shook it hard.
Everyone just stopped what they were doing and stared back at him and at me too. Oh no…
North's P.O.V
I turned around and saw Sandy swinging Dingle, and beside him was Zanna.
"Zanna! Sorry I didn't see you there! How long have you been waiting?"I asked. The other guardians were having shocked expressions on their faces, except for Sandy who pointed to Zanna.
"Guadians, this is Zanna, short for Suzanna. Zanna, this is the Easter Bunny or Bunny for short," I said, pointing to Bunny. "G'day mate!" he said, still holding on to his eggs. "And this is the Tooth Fairy, but we call her Tooth." As if on cue, Tooth went flying towards Zanna.
"Hi there Zanna! You're so pretty! Oh, did you brush your teeth? How pearly white are they?" Tooth opened out Zanna's mouth like she would always and commented, "They're so sparkly! Good thing that you brush your teeth, don't want to get cavities. Did you floss too?" Before Zanna could reply, I said, "Tooth! Fingers away from mouth!"
"Sorry North, but her teeth are so shiny!" She smiled, flying to her other mini fairies.
"And that is Sandy whom you just met. Sandman is his name." Sandy took a hat he formed from yellow sand and bowed.
Zanna just stared at us. "Wow… all the guardians are here?"
"Not exactly, we still need to wait for him." Bunny replied, rolling his eyes. "Who?"
"He would be Jack Frost. He was made guardian not long ago." I explained. Zanna's eyes went right open. "Jack Frost? As in the winter spirit, who can control snow and ice? He's a guardian too?" Bunny chuckled, and said," you know, that was the same expression I had when he was chosen. Like how could he be chosen as guardian? That irresponsible, irritating-"
"I thought you cared Easter kangaroo." Jack's voice interrupted Bunny.
Zanna's P.O.V
Everyone turned to one side of the room and saw Jack flying in, and then landing on the ground gently. He even made a pouty face look. "Bloody show pony." Bunny muttered before going back to painting his eggs. The mini fairies swoon to him and started making high-pitched squeals. Even tooth was going towards him, checking his teeth. She never seemed this close to the other guardians. …No way… Tooth's got a crush on Jack?! I tried to remain a poker face expression, but couldn't help smile slightly. But Jack doesn't seem the same to Tooth though. "Tooth!" North said again. Tooth made a 'sorry-can't-help-it' face and shrugged her shoulders, flying above then giving more orders to her mini fairies. Jack chuckled and turned to face North.
"So, what's the meeting about?" North pointed to me and Jack looked over. I did a little bow and introduced myself. "I'm Suzanna but you can call me Zanna." Jack thought for a while and said,"sure thing Suz." Thinking he misheard, I said, "it's Zanna."
"Suz."
"Zanna!"
"Suz!"
"Zanna!"
"Suz!"
"Fine! Its Suz!"
"Zanna!"
"I laughed, almost tearing up. "Good one Jack!" Jack laughed too.
"Zanna, could you please tell them about how you ended up here?" North asked, after getting everyone's attention. I explained everything again which I said to North not long ago. Everyone was interested, asking some questions only at some points.
After my story, they all seemed confused. Some questions still remain, like what am I doing here and why am I here...for what reason. Too soon, the moon appeared through the gap of North's workshop. North spoke" Hey Manny! How are things old friend? Tell us the big news!"
North's P.O.V
The moon beam reached out to the huge space in the room, spreading across it. Suddenly, a shadow appeared. It was Pitch's. "Pitch is back? How come?" Tooth asked.
"Pitch…as in the boogeyman?" Zanna asked, crossing her arms. I nodded. Turning back to Manny I asked. "Can Zanna help us?" The shadow of Pitch disappeared, and was replaced with a silhouette of a girl dancing, her long hair twirling around and her mouth moving slowly, as if saying something. The moon beam dimmed slowly. Once the dance ended, the light shined brightly. The light was so intense that I covered my eyes with my hands out. The light then dimmed out, everyone opening back their eyes.
"That's why you chose her. She can help us fight Pitch. But…she's not guardian?" I talked out, looking at Manny.
"Yes." He replied.
"I see."
If Manny sent her here, said that she can help us fight Pitch, why isn't she made guardian? Sometimes no one could understand Manny's ways. Not even Sandy. I guess only time would tell us more. I turned around and faced everyone.
"Guardians! You heard Manny. We have to make sure Zanna's safe from Pitch! She will stay here until further news." I announced to everyone who agreed. Zanna, however, opposed. "I'll be fine! I don't need protection. No problem! I can stay here till Christmas though can I?"
I raised my eyebrows. "Then where will you go then?"
She rubbed her elbow and smiled cheekily. "You know, I heard about the Warren," she said, looking at Bunny," and I really want to check it out. And I think if I laze around here not doing anything, I think I'll catch a cold soon." Immediately, Zanna sneezed, confirming her statement.
"Too late I guess."Jack said. "Sorry, it's just that…my body is really weak and," she sneezed again before continuing,"and I get sick easily, especially when it's cold." Everyone gave an empathy look. Poor Zanna looks like she could freeze up, sneezing away. Quickly, she smiled. "So, if anyone wants to look for me, I'll be with the yetis and the elves preparing presents for Christmas!" She then hurried up before anyone could reply. Her sneezes could still be heard at a long distance. "Crikey! That girl moves faster than I thought." Bunny said, looking into the way she ran to. "She's really nice! I know it!" Tooth's said, with Sandy nodding his head in agreement. "So who's gonna look after her?" Jack asks. I opened my mouth to reply, but something stopped me.
The globe.
It was covered in black sand.
Then, a sinister voice was heard. Everyone got ready into position.
Pitch is here.
The black sand continued to envelope the globe. "So nice to see the guardians again, especially with Jack Frost together. You all get ready. My army of nightmares are prepared, are yours? Pitch laughed again, but was nowhere to be seen. We eyed around, looking for or target.
"Oh, and I see you have a new friend with you too." Pitch said. He found Zanna already? Then, Zanna's voice was heard. "Can you let go of me, please? Ow ow ow hey! Don't hold me by the hair, it hurts!"