( 90-something views already, and a few favorites. I love you guys! I hope you're liking Wild—and yes, this story will feature a lot of her. Of course, she's going to stir up quite a bit of trouble. All the story's problems revolve around her, just because she has horrible luck. Again, critique, compliment, share ideas, whatever you'd like. I really appreciate the feedback! )

He led his friends back to the forest where he'd left Wild, both concerned and excited by this new development. North landed his sleigh on the ground, skidding a few feet before the halting. How would she take this? Would she even want to be a Guardian? Having another girl around would be good for Tooth. And she was hilarious—she'd make things interesting. Maybe snap Jack out of his boredom completely. Either way, he wanted to apologize for running off so quickly. She was probably mad, he decided, wincing as he hopped out of the sleigh, preparing to search for her.

Suddenly a little form barreled into him, arms winding around his waist. "Jack! Jack!" Nope. Not mad at all. Two green eyes sparkled up at him, big smile already in place and waiting for him. This reaction was unexpected, but not unwelcome. His mouth opened, momentarily at a loss for words, having thought she might be angry, or disappointed—not happy to see him. He'd run out on her, hadn't she? What a weird girl.

Just like the first time they'd met, Wild let go before he could return the favor, still grinning up at him. "You're back! Great! I found out my name, too, though you can still call me Wild, y'know, if you want."

Crystal clear oculars blinked at her in surprise before arching slightly as he smiled. Wild had a lot of energy. Talked pretty fast, too. "Cool, man! And what is your name?" But she wasn't paying attention any longer, her gaze already drawn to the sleigh. She admired it in awe, and at the five figures clambering or flying out of it. Then she spotted the reindeer (much to her delight), and slowly approached, careful not to startle them, hands outstretched. Like all animals had been thus far, the nearest nuzzled her palm, and soon all the reindeer were tugging at their harnesses toward her. Wild gave them lots of love. Seeing that she was distracted, Jack rolled his eyes before turning to Bunny and North, who were closest to him. "That's her," he told them redundantly, pointing his staff toward the little lady.

Bunny gave her a funny look, wrinkling his nose. "That's a lotta hair, mate.." He mumbled in astonishment, watching the thick strands wave from side to side like a tail as she turned from deer to deer, stroking their muzzles and petting their flanks. Wouldn't she trip or something, with hair that long? As people went, she was awfully disproportional.

As the others subtly shifted closer to this soon-to-be Guardian, Jack floated over, tapping her on the shoulder. "Hey. Wild." Tearing her eyes away from the animals, she looked at him, blinking. The others created a semicircle around them. Curious, he asked, "What did the Man on the Moon say you were?"

"Oh!" She seemed surprised. Then she smiled disarmingly, triggering a smile from all of the others despite themselves, even Bunny. "Yeah, he did! A few minutes after you left, actually...I bet he was waiting for you to go. You scare everyone off, Frosty!" Jack gave her a mock-wounded look, which she mimicked. But then she became a little more serious, straightening up and trying to seem more confident, perhaps even impressive. "I'm Mother Nature." She told him, sounding professional, majestically lifting her head up. The action made Jack chuckle. Although that irked her, she was entirely unable to repress a smirk.

"Mother Nature!" North echoed, expression transitioning from surprise to glee. He smiled jovially at her, his thick brows lifting, animating his entire expression. His blue eyes sparkled, putting Mother Nature at ease.

Wild looked up at him and smiled. "I go by Wild, though. I guess you must be North?" She eyed up the others. "Bunny...Sandy...Tooth..." Her gaze rested on Jack. "You."

"I don't even get a name?" Jack asked, eyebrow lifting.

"Nope." No room for arguments there! He laughed, unable to help it, and her stoicism melted, replaced by another grin. Then she realized something, a glint appearing in her eyes. "Wait a minute. Why are y'all here? I can't imagine I'm that interesting of a specimen to draw all of you over here! I'm sure there's some reason that I am graced with your presences..."

The Guardians exchanged glances. Tooth Fairy fidgeted before flying forward, taking this one on. "Ah, yes, actually! You're absolutely right!" She smiled at Wild, who offered a hesitant one in response. "It's just...you were selected to be a Guardian. Only awhile ago! Manny chose you. That's why we're here. To make it official!" Her wings fluttered quickly, very akin to a hummingbird.

For a moment, Wild was quiet, mulling this over. The Guardians looked worriedly amongst themselves, fearing for the worst. Even if they didn't think they needed help, Manny had never been wrong before. So they were already preparing for things to be difficult. Finally, Mother Nature met North's gaze, electing him as the leader of their little posse. With a dip of her head, she gave him her answer.

"Yeah, sure! Seems fun."

"Crikey," Bunny breathed. He nudged Jack, greatly amused. "Why weren't you as easy to recruit as she is? It took a full-scale war to convince you!"

"I have higher standards than her." Jack replied with a shrug, looking up at his friend, grinning. A laugh followed when he saw the expression on Bunny's face at the comment. But he then glanced at Wild, who was standing outside the circle still, seeming uneasy. Pointing his staff at the ground, he created a layer of ice beneath her feet. Wild slid toward them with a gasp, pinwheeling her arms for balance, before hopping off the patch and shooting a glare at him. "'Bout time you stopped daydreaming over there!" Before she could object to 'daydreaming', he inquired, "You have a place to stay?" She paused, slumped when she realized the answer, and shook her head silently. "Alright. I live with North," cue the gesture to the Russian, "and he has lots of room. You can stay with us."

North rolled his eyes. Typical of Jack to make decisions about his home without his consent. But before Jack took things too far out of hand, Bunny intervened. "More room down in the Warren with me, I'd say. Only myself and my eggs. Greener, too; Mother Nature controls the elements, you know, so she'd like it better there. Leave the snowy weather to yourselves, aye, mates?" Then, much to Jack's annoyance, Wild brightened at that prospect. Catching the action, Bunny smiled a little at her. "Like that idea, don't'cha, sheila?"

Ambling over to stand beside him, Wild nodded cheerfully. "I do!" She agreed, beaming at him. This stated, she piped up, "There's some sort of ceremony, right? I'd assume there is—I mean, from what I've heard, becoming and being a Guardian is pretty big stuff." Again, she looked to North, who nodded in acknowledgment. "Are we doing that now, or later?"

Sandy lifted a finger, but quickly discovered that he, actually, didn't have an answer for that. So he peered at North, who stroked his chin as he sized Wild up. Eventually the stocky male nodded to himself and walked toward his sleigh, reaching inside and taking out a large, thick book. Jack was glad to see that there wouldn't be any trumpet-blaring elves or flag-holding Yeti. He personally found this ceremony a lot more important without the dramatics. North flipped through the pages, finding his spot. Then his oculars dropped to look at Wild, who was suddenly standing by herself; she looked around to see the others were standing beside North, watching her, some with doubt, others with smiling faces. Jack just looked like he was about to laugh. "Will you, Mother Nature, more commonly known as Wild, vow to

watch over the children of the world? To guard them with your life—their hopes, their wishes, and their dreams? For they are all that we have, all that we are, and all that we will ever be."

She stood there, enthralled, perhaps by North's passion about the subject, or maybe even the words themselves. But, a beat later, her cheeks heated up and she nodded enthusiastically, smiling. "I will!" Wild murmured in response, practically radiating with happiness.

"Then congratulations, Wild, for you are now and forevermore.." He paused for affect, closing his eyes and snapping the book closed; his eyes sprang open and he beamed at her. "A Guardian!" Jack hooted and did a flip in the air, and the others cheered for her. North stepped forward, patting her on the shoulder so hard that she wobbled, but giggled anyway. "Welcome to club, Wild."

Her Scottish accent was very noticeable when she replied with a happy, "Thank you!" She bowed deeply to the others, a silly smile on her face. Once she was sitting up again she stepped forward, a small flower breaking through the snow where her bare feet had once been (which Bunny and Sandy admired thoughtfully). "I won't letcha down. Definitely not. I'll figure out my powers and control 'em. No worries."

Wild noticed a movement in the midst of her rambling and turned her head to see Bunny tapping the ground with a long, furry foot. Beneath it opened a large tunnel, which he pointed to with a little smile, ears twitching. "Alrighty, Wild—now that all is said 'n done, it's about time we headed back to the Warren." He gestured toward the hole. "After you."

Without further ado, she dashed forward with a whoop of delight and jumped in, tucking her knees to her chest in a cannonball. North watched her disappear, recalling a time where the thought of traveling by Bunny's tunnels would have been a worrisome one. Wild, however, appeared to have no qualms. Fearless—a good trait in a Guardian.

Looking on after her, Jack's eyebrows lifted. "What d'you think her center is?" After a moment he grinned, crossing his arm. "I bet it's joy or something, based on what I've seen of her so far."

Bunny looked over at Jack and smirked. "Maybe it's 'fun', and she's here to replace you." Jack frowned. "Don't look at me like that, mate. She very well might! Being Mother Nature, she should be in control of all the seasons, including Winter, which is yours. She could take over." The frown deepened; the idea of somebody he was spending so much time with shooting him out of commission was an unwelcome one. "Think on it, Jack." This said, Bunny leaped into the hole as well, and it closed up behind him.

Tooth flew over and placed a reassuring hand on Jack's shoulder. "I'm sure that's not the reason she's here, Jack. We've been through a lot together. And Manny wouldn't have done that to you. Don't get yourself down."

He barely responded, staring at the ground. Sandy and North made eye contact; if anybody could get Jack to see reason, it was Tooth, and he hadn't even reacted. Bunny's words weren't a far stretch, really—it was a definite possibility. And it was obvious that Jack wasn't keen on sharing his powers with anyone, not even somebody as gentle as Wild.

It was highly likely that, without even knowing it, Wild had made an enemy.