IV

Jack had woken up very early the next morning; early enough to eat breakfast, get dressed, and left a note on Jamie's dresser. He'd kissed the boy on the forehead before heading out to Jamie's house. Bunnymund was joining him in this, because he had the tracking nose of a wolf; the others were told to keep this investigation thing a secret from Jamie until all of the pieces were put together. About 7:30 AM, Jamie stirred as he slowly opens his eyes- he was too tired to get up. However, once he'd gotten up, he'd saw a note on his dresser. Curious, he goes over towards the dresser to take a good look at the note; it said,

Dear Jamie,

Sorry I've left early this morning, I just have some things to do. Winter. I'll be back very soon, and then we can have some fun when I come back home.

With love and care,

Jack

Jamie shook his head with a sad smile. He didn't understand why Jack would just disappear like this; but he had to admit: Being a guardian must mean that he has a job to do. Always.

After getting dressed, Jamie immediately walks into the dinning room; surprised with the unexpected, there was a loud "SURPRISE!" that woke Jamie straight up!

"What?!" Jamie yells, still rubbing his eyes and trying to check to see if his hearing had disappeared on him. Thank God that it didn't go away.

North, Sandy, Tooth, and Bunnymund's wife and kids were all in the room with big happy faces. Some of the elves and yetis were in the room too, but Jamie was too confused to notice them.

"What?...what's going on?" Jamie demanded.

"Surprise, Jamie! Happy Make-Up Birthday!" Tooth exclaimed with pure joy as she flew over towards him, dragging him towards the table and sat him down.

Jamie asked with a confused look, "'Make-Up Birthday'?"

Tooth nodded with a grin. "Sure! Look, we've all felt truly sorry for whats' happened on your real Birthday, so we all pitched-in and gotten this together for you."

His eyes widen. Could it be? Are they all really gonna do this...for him?! This was all so exciting, yet sad at the same time. The thought about re-starting the party was a grand idea to Jamie; something was missing though. Jack and Bunnymund. Filled with curiosity, Jamie starts to scan the room. With a sad frown, he looks up at North.

"W-Where's Jack and Bunnymund?" Jamie had some small tears going down his soft cheeks. He was happy that they were all doing this just for him, but it just didn't seem right if Jack and Bunnymund wasn't here either.

North said, "Jack left you note, yes? It explained that he had some stuff to do,"

"And Bunnymund?"

"Uncle Bunnymund is out with Jack. You see, they've went out for earrings after Jack brings more winter to world."

Jamie smiled a little; asking with hope, "So...you think they'll be back in a short time after then?"

"You bet! I can feel it..." North then grabbed a hold of his stomach. "...In my belly." (A/N: Reference! I saw the movie yesterday! XD)


After Jack had blasted some areas with winter, played with some happy children, and racing Bunnymund a few times, the two had finally reached the death point of Jamie's family. The now burnt house was nothing more than a wreak, and it was deserted. Very.

"Huh...wonder if the fire was caused by some kind of fire creature," Bunnymund says as he examines the remains of the house. He enters the inside and his green eyes widen with disgust. "...My God...this was a massacre!"

"Well, what did you think it was, Bunny? A party? Easter? Oops! Did I say that out loud?" Smirked Jack as he walks through the destroyed living room.

Bunnymund glares, "Watch it, Frost. Remember: We're here to find out what happened and what caused the fire."

Jack sighed heavily and nodded. Seriously, it pained Jack to see all of this; but what made his pain even more freakish is the ashes. All Jack could think about was is those ashes were Jamie's parents. No! They were burnt bodies that were buried in a grave yard!

As they both continued to go through some stuff, Bunny's eyes widen, and he starts to sniff around until he came across something under some old furniture in the basement. Gasping, Bunnymund snaps his head around; calling, "Jack! Get down here! Ya may wanna see this!" Jack dashed down.

"What is it, Bunny-" He sees what's underneath the old furniture from where Bunnymund had pushed away.

Both guardians stood there with complete shock.

It couldn't be...


Jamie was having a good time with everyone, but felt like Jack and Bunny weren't gonna show up. It was now late at night, and Jack still hasn't returned to give him that fun brotherly time he'd promised through that note. Sighing heavily, Jamie sat down at the table as Bunnymund's wife and kids left, and North, Tooth, and Sandy slowly goes over to him.

"Jamie..." Tooth says, placing a hand on his shoulder. "...I'm sorry that Jack didn't show up, but-"

Before she could finish, Jack and Bunnymund breaks into the room with a dash. Both were panting heavily, and were holding a sack.

"Guys! We've figured it out!" Jack yelled.

"Figured out, what?" Jamie asked sadly, yet very mad at Jack for not making it to his Make-Up Birthday.

Jack saw the fury in Jamie's eyes, and couldn't help but to feel ashamed with himself. "Jamie..." Jack says, slowly reaching out for him.

But Jamie doesn't want to hear it, so runs towards his room. Jack's heart broke; he didn't like seeing him like this. North walked over towards the two.

"So...what did you find? Jack, once we're done talking, you need to talk to Jamie about the truth, understood?" North had given Jack the Death Eyes so that he would listen. It worked.

Tooth's eyes squints as she looks at the bag closely, then gasps while she'd covered her mouth. "...Jack...what is that?" She's pointed to the sake.

Bunnymund opens the sake, and Jack pulled it out. Black dust was swarming around inside the inside of the jar; fire was swarming around it as well- a mixture.

"...Pitch..." Jack whispered.


*GASPS* OMG! Didn't expect that, did ya? ;)

Yup! Pitch has returned! And has killed Jamie's parents!

Next chapter will be about Jamie hearing the news, and the fight between the guardians and Pitch will commence! XD

Until next time, READ & REVIEW! ^^