CHAPTER II: North Bound

I had been traveling for a whole day now, making only short stops for water. Ice water. It was refreshing and plentiful in the direction I was being lead; North. And beside the air getting somewhat colder, it didn't bother me. My new fur coat was keeping me extremely warm. So, in a way being a wolf wasn't too bad. But it wasn't me. It was then that I came to a highway where a sign read:

MISSOURI STATE LINE

21 miles

"Man, I've gone a long way." I breathed, some fatigue covering my voice.

I looked up to see the light still pointing straight north, but at this rate, it was gonna take me forever to achieve my destination. Besides running the whole way, I had managed to catch a train heading in the same direction in which greatly increase my pace. But when the train stopped I had to venture back onto foot. I didn't want anyone else to try and shoo-I mean find me.

It was getting to be late afternoon as I walked by a highway, when I heard something. A rustle in the undergrowth of the forest lining the opposite side of the road. I looked in the direction of the noise tilting my head in confusion.

"The wind? Maybe?" I wondered.

Of course that's what I assumed. Remember what I said about assuming? I ate my words, when a sudden flash of blue swiftly flew passed me.

"What the heck was that?" I snapped.

I then heard another rustle and that's when I venture off course. I left the highway and began running through the woods. After a second or two, I came to a clearing and began to think that whatever it was had gone until another blue flash appeared.

" Ah, now I gotcha." I smirked.

I hurried off again, heading toward a large set of bushes. My new animal instincts had taken over and I was now distracted and chasing who-knows-what. Just as I got to the cluster of shrubbery, I leapt over the bunch, clearing them, but not the tree on the other side.

*WHAM-thud*

I slammed face first into the base of the tree and fell back hitting the snow-covered ground with a loud thump.

"Ow...that...hurt." I whimpered, rubbing my paw on my forehead.

Just as I sat up and shook the dizzies from my vision when-

*Flump *

A nice amount of snow had suddenly fallen from the tree and buried me. I quickly sat back up and shook the cold blanket from my fur. I then got a funny idea of what or "who" that was.

"Ok 'Jack Frost' very funny, you got me with your cat and mouse game, heh." I laughed, "I mean only 'Jack Frost' could be this fast and oh, the snow dump was a nice touch."

I shook my head at my silliness.

"What am I saying? Jack Frost, the whimsical spirit of winter, fun and mischief." I sighed, "Although, I really can't say anything, I mean, I am on my way to see Santa Claus of course."

"You are?" A voice suddenly chimed.

I nearly jumped out of my now snow-soaked fur, as I spun around to see a young boy, floating, upside...down? A young boy, about my age, with frosty white hair, pale skin and icy blue eyes filled with zeal. He wore a dark blue pull-over hoodie with frost covering the shoulders, and brown cloth pants but no shoes. And he held a wooden staff with a hook shape on one end.

"Well?" He wondered, "Are you really going to see big man, North?"

"J-J-Jack Frost!?" I stuttered, my eyes bulging.

"Um yeah?" He replied.

"You're real?" I asked, in a squeaky tone "I mean you...you can understand me?"

"Of course." Jack answered.

I think it was just too much for me to handle in that moment, because then, I fainted. When I woke up, I assumed it was all a CRAZY dream. My eyes fluttered open as I shook my head of the outlandish hallucination.

"Oh man, what a weird dream." I started, "I almost drowned, then I was turned into a wolf who was on my way to see Santa Claus, and during I ran into-"

"Me?" A voice cut me off.

I froze and slowly looked over to my left to see none other than Jack Frost sitting on a large rock, smiling at me. Don't assume anything, ever. I looked down to still see paws, not hands, and fur, not skin. I shook my head and blinked a few times, as I glanced up and stared at the Winter Spirit. With my mouth gaping, I looked up and down the boy's figure and I even reached out a paw and poked his shoulder. He wasn't warm, but not really cold, just cool.

"You are real." I gawked, "You're Jack Frost, and you're real."

"Yep, I sure am and you're a bit weird." Jack said, with a smirk, "So um to finally answer that question, answer mine."

"W-What's your question?" I wondered.

"Are you really going to see North?" Jack asked.

"Um, North?" I questioned.

"Santa Claus, I call him North." Jack replied.

"Oh y-yeah." I answered, "I was told to seek out the Guardians, and that light is pointing north so."

I showed Jack the straight line of illumination streaking through the sky.

"Well, you found me." Jack stated.

"Huh?" I paused, "Oh yeah that's right you're a Guardian too!"

"You got it!" Jack affirmed, flying into the air with a twirl, "The Guardian of Fun, at your service."

I was amazed at the sight before me. This was Jack Frost, the one who brings snow to the world, the very being of winter. All the stories as a kid, they were true.

"So can you really help me?" I asked.

"Well." The Winter Spirit started, slowly floating back down to earth, "I can't really don't anything, but I'm positive North can help."

"How positive?" I wondered.

"Did the moon tell you to come find us?" Jack asked, hovering upside down in front of me.

"Y-Yes." I replied.

"Well then you were smart to listen." Jack replied.

I was intrigued by what Jack had said. Listening to the moon. Never thought I would hear something like that. Although if not for the moon I wouldn't be here.

"Ok so to the North Pole!" Jack exclaimed, flying off.

"But wait I can't...fly..." I trailed off.

And just like that Jack had vanished.

"Am I suppose to follow you?" I called, "Um, Jack!?"

It was then I thought the whimsical Jack Frost had left me to find my own way, when suddenly a powerful gust of wind rushed past me, and my paws left the ground.

"Whoa!" I gasped, "I'm floating!"

"Haha!" A voice chuckled, "Gotcha, didn't I?"

I was hovering a good five feet off the ground and Jack was right there with me. He flashed a glistening white smile, as I marvel at his powers. I was a bit wobbly at first but then Jack gave me some advice.

"It's almost like swimming." He stated, "Only without the water."

I am actually great when it comes to swimming but if the water is in a frozen river, well you know. But I did as he said, and with a soft kick I began to fly forward. I got a little carried away, while practicing as I almost lost my balance but Jack kept me from falling as I looked up to him and smiled.

"To North's?" The Guardian of Fun asked with sarcasm.

"To North's!" I exclaimed.

Then with my newly found motivation, I kicked and off I was, flying alongside Jack Frost as we followed the light the moon had sent, and gained ever closed to the Pole.

All the while, the previous evening, Wilder and Aaron had returned home and both of them went to Rylie's house. With a deep depression on both their faces, Wilder rang the door bell.

*ding-dong*

It only took a moment for Mrs. Kara to answer. As she opened the front door she smiled at the two young men, but then it was gone when she didn't see her daughter with them. She looked on at both boys until Wilder spoke.

"Mrs. Kara...*sigh*...we have some bad news." He started, "Rylie...she was in an accident in the woods."

"What?" Mrs. Kara wondered, "Where is Rylie? What kind of accident?"

"Please, may we come in?" Wilder asked.

Mrs. Kara adored Wilder and Aaron the same as she allowed them into her home and lead them to the couch. It was then Mr. Marvin had just walked inside from the garage and notice the two boys. But he didn't see his daughter.

"Wilder? Aaron?" Mr. Marvin paused, "Where's Rylie?"

Wilder looked Rylie's father dead in the eye and revealed to the Jakkens what had happened.

"Rylie, she saw and shot a deer, but it kept walking and so she went after it..." Wilder trailed off and paused, "After an hour when she hadn't come back, I went looking and I heard a gunshot."

The Jakkens had both sat down in their chairs at this point as Wilder continued. Aaron was leaning against the wall, with disdain painted on his face.

"When I arrived at the source, there was a large patch of broken ice on the river that flows through my uncle's land and...there was blood." Wilder paused.

Both Rylie's parent were frozen with the deepest fear that a parent could feel. Wilder closed his news.

"There was a wolf standing over her jacket, snarling at me and her gun was laying near the water." Wilder revealed, "I'm...so sorry, I should-I should of went with her, but now she's..."

Wilder then broke down into tears as Mrs. Kara also began to sob. Running his hand through his hair, Mr. Marvin stood up and leaned over Wilder. The young man was expecting Rylie's father to beat him for losing their daughter. But instead, Mr. Jakkens put his hand on Wilder's shoulder. It still surprised Wilder as he looked up to see Mr. Marvin slightly smile in disbelief but then frown in realization. There was only ten days until Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. Jakkens had lost their only daughter, Aaron's best pal and Wilder's most important and dearest friend.

It was early morning the day after I had met with Jack that we were somewhere in Canada, swiftly getting ever closer to the North Pole. I couldn't believe the rate at which we were traveling. We flew straight over the ocean and not as soon as we had left the Canadian border we were in route to North's. The ground became frozen as the snowy tundra appeared. As we had started I had made sure to stay close to the earth's surface in case any went wrong. I had never felt as free as I did then. It was amazing.

"We're here!" Jack exclaimed.

I gotta little over excited as I began to hurry when suddenly the wind stream that had carried me all the way disappeared. Thankfully I wasn't too high, just about six feet, which means I didn't hit the snow drift to hard.

"Whoa, you ok?" Jack asked, floating down to me.

"Yeah, I'm good." I replied, shaking the snow off, "How close are we?"

"Not too much further." Jack answered.

"Alright, I think I'll run the rest of the way." I stated.

Fortunately the snow wasn't too soft to make me sink. Instead I started off in a gallop and I was gliding over the frozen landscape. A little while later just over an icy hill there was a huge glacier covered building, with lights in the windows and flags atop a spiral dome. I put a bit more push into my sprint as Jack and I had finally arrived at the North Pole. After a few moments we came to a large door when suddenly these huge furry creatures stepped forward in the path of the entrance. They were both colored white, almost blending into the snow.

"Bler rara?" One mumbled in a deep tone.

"It's okay guys she's with me." Jack stated.

"Aghard mera blemera." The other creature burbled.

"Come on." Jack said, motioning to me.

I stepped forward as the creatures opened the huge door and on the other side was a long hallway.

"Hey Jack?" I wondered, "What were those?"

"Yetis." He replied.

"Yetis?" I snapped, "Cool."

We walked on through the hall as smaller creatures with big red hats and bells on them were scurrying around. They were elves. Some silly, others acting downright crazy. Staying onward we soon came to an enormous open room where there were Yetis everywhere, working on toys.

"I thought the elves made the toys?" I wondered.

"I thought so too." Jack answered.

This room was Santa's workshop, no doubt about it, and I was in it. The wonder of toy planes zooming around and the glow-bright hover wheels. It was all so much to take in, but I didn't faint this time. There was even this giant globe with lights all around it in the center of the room.

"Wow." I marveled.

"No, no I said Lisa was good." A accented voice bellowed, "Lindsey is on naughty list."

My ears perked and I looked over to see a large man who stood 6'07", wearing a red shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a baggy pair of dark grey pants and brown boots. He also had a long white beard that connected with his just as white hair and the one thing that got my attention were these tattoos with the words reading: Naughty on the right arm and Nice on the left. There was no way that this was who I thought it was.

"Ah, Jack." The man called, walking in our directions, "What brings you here?"

"Hey there North." Jack replied, "Well I have someone here who needs to meet you."

North then looked around Jack and right at me. I had my ears back and my head down as I was so humble by his presence. I then looked up to see him smiling at me.

"So you're North?" I asked.

"That I am." North replied, "And you are Rylie Jakkens, eighteen, love to draw and you have always been believer."

My jaw dropped.

"Santa?" I wondered.

"HAHAHA!" He laughed, his belly shaking, "Of course, who else you think I was?"

"You're Santa Claus!" I exclaimed, "Oh, oh-*gasp* wait, I've been good this year right?"

"Rylie, you have been very good." North replied, "You are kind person, and have always been on Nice list."

This was incredible. I was actually meeting Father Christmas, Old St. Nick, the one and only Santa Claus. But then my excitement faded as I remembered why I was here. Although before I could speak, North made the move.

"Now you have come seeking us." North paused as he motioned, "Follow me."

I nodded as did Jack, as we followed after North. Where he led us was an elevator which took us up toward the giant globe. We then came to what was a nicely set room, with red and gold carpet, and tall columns. It even had a balcony leading right up to the globe. There was also a fire place with banners hanging depicting North.

"Make self comfortable." North said, as he walked to the balcony.

I watched as he turn a handle on the console and a humming sound echoed and then faded as he returned to me and Jack.

"Now it is that you have turned into wolf and you wonder, why?" North paused.

He then walked over to a shelf and pulled out a book, as returned to us. As he opened the book, he flipped page after page until he found what he was looking for.

"Ah!" He beamed, as he cleared his throat, "There is old mythology where a god was said to bring about chaos and mischief."

I saw Jack smile at the last word. I had to smile as well.

"He was shape shifter, his name, Loki." North said.

I flinched at his words. I knew what he was talking about but didn't speak.

"He had children; the woman Hel, the serpent Jörmungandr, and the wolf-"

"Fenrir..." I trailed cutting North off.

Jack and North both looked at me in surprise. North then closed the book and gave a sorrowful smile and he walked over to me. I sat down and hung my head.

"I forget you know of this." North said, petting my back.

"All too well, Santa." I sighed.

"The only thing I cannot figure out is who is doing this." North said, stroking his beard, "And really who could hold this kind of power."

"Wait, Fenrir?" Jack asked, "You mean the giant wolf monster?"

North looked to Jack with a sadden expression as he nodded.

"Yeah, that Fenrir." I replied, "In Norse mythology it is said that he will rise from his bonds, which have trapped him, and will fight the gods in the event known as Ragnarök, the ultimate doomsday."

"Whoa." Jack awed, "I had forgotten about that."

"But what I don't understand, is that Fenrir was the son of Loki, not the daughter." I stated, "Why did this happen to me?"

"It is strange." North paused, "Although, this would only be if they thought you were weak and easy to manipulate."

"I'm not weak." I stated.

"No you are not." North replied, "But that means they will resort to something terrible to get you on their side."

"This is kinda like Pitch did with the whole fear thing." Jack replied, "The more you're afraid the more fear that will overcome you."

"Hm, whomever is doing this may be trying to finish what Pitch started." North said, "Only worst."

"Pitch...?" I questioned, "Who was Pitch?"

"Pitch Black, the Boogeyman." Jack answered, in a serious tone.

"Haha the Boogeyman?" I chuckled, "Real-never mind."

I couldn't question anything else because I had after all, been escorted by Jack Frost to the North Pole; and was standing in front of the really, real Santa Claus.

"He manipulated dreams into horrible nightmares that almost made all the world's children stop believing completely." Jack stated.

"So that was him, I remember having awful dreams at one time but I never thought." I paused, "Whoever this is I'm not gonna let them control me."

North and Jack both smiled at my confidence. It was then I heard a fluttering of some kind and I went into a defensive mode.

"Sorry we're late." A feminine voice announced.

I was in a pouncing position until I saw who it was. A girl flew in with a short man behind her.

"Oh." She gasped.

The girl looked to be mine and Jack's age. She had an assortment of colorful feathers, from green to blue covering her from head to toe, except her face and hands. Her wings were transparent and pink. She also had a gold feather on her head some around her neck and some that looked like earrings. And her eyes were a purplish pink which were outlined by long eyelashes. There was even a little fairy that looked just like her flying beside her.

The man behind her was about half her size as he floated in. He had a golden single suit on with, hair and eyes the same color. He seemed to shimmer.

"?" He tilted his head at me.

I backed down as I looked upon them.

"The Tooth Fairy and Sandman." I gawked.

"Tooth! Sandy!" North welcomed.

"Hello!" The Tooth Fairy greeted.

Sandman waved and smiled. As I stared at these new guests, it was then Tooth Fairy looked to Jack and flew straight at him.

"Jack!" She exclaimed, hugging him.

"Hey Tooth." Jack replied, hugging her back with a smile.

I cocked an eyebrow and smirked, but what surprised me was when Tooth started looking at the teeth in Jack's mouth. Well she was the Tooth Fairy after all. All the while Sandy was motioning to North as if in conversation. Ok so first I met Jack Frost, then Santa Claus and now the Tooth Fairy and Sandman. The only one who wasn't present was the Easter Bunny.

"Alright, I'm here." Another accented voice called.

I turned to see a 6'01" long eared, fluffy tailed rabbit walking in on his hind legs. He had grey and white fur with tribal markings on his arms. There were leather braces on his forearms, feet and a strap on his back with a boomerang.

"Whoa!" The rabbit jumped back, suddenly.

He got a little defensive when he saw me. But then North walked over and explained to everyone.

"Bunny, calm down." North said, "Tooth, Sandy, this is why you are here."

"A wolf?" Bunny asked, "I'm here because of a bloody wolf?"

"I was human before." I stated.

Bunny, Tooth and Sandy all looked at me. Well I hadn't spoken until just then.

"Oh what happened?" Tooth asked.

"It is Fenrir." North paused as he pointed to me, "Someone is trying to use Rylie as a gate to bring disaster to the world, such as in Ragnarök."

"The old myth?" Bunny wondered, "What bugger wants to do that? It was hard enough to deal with that ratbag Pitch and his nightmares."

"Yeah and this won't only affect the kids but everyone." Jack stated, "It's gonna be a lot worse than before."

"So what do you want us to do?" Tooth asked.

"First we must protect Rylie at all costs." North replied, "Along with that see if we can figure out who is causing all of this."

"So we'll hide her until the culprit has no choice but reveal himself and his weakness." Jack stated, "Then we'll see who were dealing with."

"Now where will we hide her until then?' North wondered, stroking his beard.

As the Guardians began to converse on my hiding-spot I let out a long yawn. I then shook my head to keep in attention to their plan.

"She could come to the Warren." Bunny suggested, "It's green and there's plenty-o places to hide the Sheila."

"I wouldn't mind her at the Tooth Palace." Tooth added, " It would-"

*Thud*

Tooth cut off as she and the other Guardians turned to see Rylie laying on the floor.

"Oh no, what's wrong with her?" Tooth gasped, fluttering over to the wolf.

Jack floated toward the unconscious lobo, and examined her.

"She gonna be apples, mate?" Bunny asked.

It was then that Rylie breathed deeply as a slight smile came onto her face and she nuzzled the soft carpet with her nose. She was asleep.

"She's fine." Jack stated, with a relieved smile, "She's just asleep."

"Asleep?" Bunny wondered.

North then turned to look at Sandy who was looking on at the scene.

"Sandy?" North asked, " Did you?"

The Sandman, bringer of dreams was innocent as he shook his head holding his hands in a "I'm clean" motion.

"No it wasn't him." Jack began, "As we were on our way here, Rylie told me that the day before she had been traveling nonstop for a whole night and day, with the only rest being a train which didn't go very far."

"To us that's nothing, but for her." Bunny said.

"She's not just tired, she's exhausted." Tooth replied.

"Well since she is here why not she stay." North proposed, clasping his hands together, "She is already in a safe environment, with many forms of defense."

"You sure, mate?" Bunny wondered, "I mean can you handle this with it being so close to Christmas?"

"Yes." North answered, "I know there is only ten days before then but this is also my job, protecting children, it is all of our jobs."

"Um guys, we not gonna leave her on the floor are we?" Tooth asked.

"Ha, no there is plenty rooms that she came stay in." North stated, "I will take-"

"I'll take her." Jack suggested, "Tooth and I will be sure to make her comfortable."
North was never surprised at Jack's willingness to help. Such a mischievous boy and yet so kind. North then nodded as he watched Jack pick Rylie up and hover into the air as Tooth followed.

"At top of stairs, very nice room on the left." North stated.

Jack nodded as he followed North's directions. Just above the globe room, down the hall a bit on the left was a bedroom. It was furnished with a full-size bed dressed in red sheets with white trim and pillows, which was place to the right of the room facing the opposite wall. There was even a desk and chair with a bookshelf full of storybooks and toys. Beside it was a grand fireplace, lit and warm. The floor was layered with a navy blue and white shag rug. But the biggest feature was the window that hung just a little above the bed with the view of the sunset, overlooking the tundra.

As Tooth pulled back the covers, Jack carefully placed Rylie down, returning the sheets to wrap over her. Both Jack and Tooth couldn't help but smile. It reminded them of that night that they talked in Jamie Bennett's room. Jack then reached up and grabbed Tooth's hand. She flinched at his sudden touch but then blushed as Jack looked at her. They then returned to the other Guardians. North looked to Jack as the young spirit smiled and nodded.

"She's still fast asleep." Tooth stated.

"I must say her determination to find us is amazing." North begin, "I remember not but three years ago she claimed to not truly believe anymore."

"Well her baby teeth were gone around age nine." Tooth said, in a sadden tone.

"Yeah and she didn't hunt any of the little goodies I laid out this year or the last." Bunny replied.

Sandy simply heaved a sigh.

"And her parents claim to buy her, Santa Claus gifts." North stated, "But if so, then why did she see you?"
North was looking at Jack.

"Well she was saying my name and then she just saw me." Jack shrugged.

"She must still believe, somewhere deep inside." North replied, "And that is why we will do everything we can to help her."

And with that all of the Guardians agreed that from there on their mission was to protect Rylie at all costs and to return her home safely.