I'M SO SORRY! I know that I had promised you guys an update like, what? Two weeks ago? But school's been kicking my butt lately, and it's soon exam time, so I've soon got to start studying. So updates might be a little irregular until summer break, when I can spoil you guys with updates and one-shots. Anyway, thanks to all who followed and faved my story, but I'd pleeeeeeeease like some reviews. Seriously! I'd like to hear your comments and criticisms. I'm rambling now, so I'll just get on with the story.

Disclaimer: I sadly do not own the magnificent movie Rise of the Guardians. It is the rightful property of Dreamworks.

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The Guardians all looked towards the large, half-opened window as the resident Guardian of Fun came floating in, only he looked like he wasn't having much fun at this moment. His hood was pulled up, but that did not stop the four Legends from seeing the dark bags under his eyes and the scowl on his face. Sandy formed a waving hand above his head, as if to say 'hello' and then formed a question mark when Jack simply brushed past him looked at all four of them with a hooded look that said ' I have a lot to do, so let's get this over with.'. North saw the look and decided to speak up. "Mal'chik," North started "we have noticed that you have become… distant in the past months. Is there anything bothering you?" North wanted to get this over with as well, so they could address the Minotaur problem ASAP. Jack looked taken aback for a moment, wondering if they suspected anything, but he schooled his face and, once again, brushed it off. "I'm fine, if that's what you're getting at." Jack moved to fly out of the window, but was grabbed by his wrist and pulled back by a furry paw. "Not just yet, ya show pony. We got a real problem on our hands." While Bunny was talking, Jack managed to squirm out of the Pooka's grasp and started flying toward the window, but right before he exited; North said something that made the Winter Spirit stop in his tracks

"Is new evil, Mal'chik! This thing is a danger to children everywhere!"

Jacks eyes grew wide with disbelief as Death's words replayed in his mind over and over again.

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"You have one century, do you hear me, Frost? ONE Century to find me a soul despicable enough to match the goodness in this sublime creature's heart" he said as he motioned to the sleepy- looking girl slowly sinking deeper into the river of Death."

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Now, the opportunity was presenting itself on a silver platter. Over the last ninety-some years, Jack had brought him thieves and murderers alike, and yet none of them had been quite evil enough to counter the caring yet fiercely protective spirit that his Catrina had possessed. The white-haired boy slowly turned around after taming his expression once again. "What do you mean new evil?" A tiny flicker of hope swelled in his heart, a feeling he had not felt in a long time. Maybe this was finally it. The soul he could bring in exchange for her freedom. North saw that he was getting through to Jack, and continued to explain the scene that frightened them so much right before he arrived. "Manny has shown us something very unnerving. A great evil we have kept at bay for centuries. A truly despicable being that…" Jack had spaced out after the last thing that the large Cossack said. "A soul despicable enough…" Death's words rang in his ears as North finished his rant. This was truly it. Jack almost choked out a sob in relief, but caught himself again for the third time that night. The teenager pulled down his hood and gave the Guardians full view of the smirk on his face, but said smirk was instantly drowned out by a serious frown when Bunny asked the next question.

"Oh and mate, do ya know anything 'bout a girl?"

Jack's eyes instantly hardened, and he uttered a barely audible "That's none of your business, kangaroo," before storming out with a hurricane force wind that blew into the workshop, but Bunny did hear him, and bounded to the window with speed only possible for him. "I AM NOT A KANGAROO!" the Pooka screamed, but Jack was well out of earshot. "What was that about?" North asked. Sandy shrugged and pulled up a question mark above his head. Tooth spoke up. "Um guys, I normally don't suggest this because it's an invasion of privacy, but Jack looks like he's keeping something from us. Something very important that we could help him with, if he lets us." The other three looked at her before North asked what it was. "We could go into his memories." Their eyes widened at this, but they realized that Tooth was right. They were never going to get Jack to tell, so his memories might have held the answer. North went into his study, and came back out with his snow globe. The four Guardians huddled together and North whispered their destination, which was the Tooth Palace. The portal opened and they all went through.

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When they arrived at the palace, the Tooth Fairies swarmed them, but dispersed when Baby Tooth waved a disapproving finger at her sisters, but they really only left because Jack was absent from the group. "This way" Tooth said as she led them to a grand spire in the middle of the Palace. "This one holds the memories of all the spirits." said the hybrid as she punched a few numbers into a keypad at the base of the spire. A steam whistle was heard and then a tooth box came rolling out, which Tooth skillfully caught. On both ends of the box was the same picture as Jack's human tooth box, but with his signature white hair and sapphire eyes instead. "Alright everybody, hold hands." North and Bunny looked at each other hesitantly, but held hands anyway. Tooth grabbed Sandy's outstretched hand, and then used the delicate fingers of the other hand to open the tooth box. There was a bright flash of light and they were plunged into a memory.

*Unknown's POV*

"My time is near. Soon, all the children of the world will be mine for the feasting!" Then, the figure let out o horrifying laugh. "Ready or not Guardians, here I come."

Cliffie! Yay! I can't make any promises, as you guys have learned the hard way, ( and I'm really sorry for that) but I'll try to have the next chapter up by next Sunday evening. R&R. Constructive criticism. NO FLAMES!