A/N: Hello, friends. New chapter time! And, and so you know, I will be away for two weeks starting Saturday. I will try to post one more chapter this week, but there will be no more after that until the 21st. Please be aware that I am not abandoning you or the story.
And now, we proudly present... chapter 4!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians.
Hazel rode the breezes swiftly to the first place that came to mind. She had only been there once before, but she remembered it well. It was a grove in the middle of the deep forest, with a magic barrier that kept out normal humans. The place radiated life. Flowers grew in every color of the rainbow, dewdrops glistened on the tips of bright green leaves, and the fruits on the trees were the sweetest in the world. Wildlife flourished all around, and the sun smiled overhead. It was the most beautiful place in the world.
You guessed it: The realm of Mother Nature.
There was only one problem with getting there. It was on Madagascar. Not only was that a great distance from where Hazel was, but it was a little too close for comfort to the Equator. Needless to say, the autumn spirit wasn't a huge fan of the African climate. Not to mention a certain someone who probably wouldn't be too happy about her presence there.
As she drew farther south, Hazel got a bit less comfortable. She wasn't allergic to the heat or anything, but that didn't mean she liked it. Besides, she was dressed for cool weather in her sweater and leggings. That didn't help the situation.
When she was midway across the Atlantic, she saw someone. It just wasn't who she was expecting.
"What are you doing here, Frost?" She yelled. The winter spirit waved and sailed closer to her. Since it was nighttime, the moon reflected off his snow-white hair in such a way that it seemed to glow. It complimented his pale skin and made him look altogether a bit spectral. Hazel quickly shoved that thought out of the way.
"Alas," said Jack, "we meet again. What are you doing here?"
"I asked you first."
"I'm going to see Mother Nature. Did you get a… bad feeling?" He looked her in the eyes, and she could see his worry.
Hazel replied, "Yeah. At least it wasn't just me. What do you think it is?"
"I don't know," he said, and shrugged. "Guess we'll find out."
They flew on in silence for about ten minutes, until they spotted the African coastline. They would be crossing the Equator shortly, and Hazel could see Jack's discomfort. If anyone was bothered by heat, it was certainly him. Funny, she had gone five years without seeing this kid, and now she'd run into him twice in one day. At least the second time, it wasn't literal.
Jack's voice broke the silence. "So, when's the last time you visited her?"
"Uh… I've only been once. It was five years ago, right after I became a spirit. A messenger hawk gave me a note, and showed me the way. You?"
"Back in '68. There was a little spat between me and Bunny that needed resolving. That was when she and Manny agreed to make a new spring spirit, and they chose Lilly."
"Ah. I see." Hazel smiled faintly, and Jack smiled back.
"We're almost at the Equator, right?" He asked.
"Yeah."
"Then shouldn't our welcome wagon be here soon?"
As if on cue, a hot ray of golden light shot in their direction, barely missing them both. A girl with a stick-straight curtain of light brown hair and a deep tan fumed in their direction. She was wearing denim shorts, a peachy-colored tank top, and gold gladiator sandals. From a chain around her neck glittered a golden sun-shaped pendant.
"Sunny!" exclaimed Jack. "You're not still mad about that Christmas-in-the-Caribbean thing, are you?"
Her ocean-blue eyes glared at his icy-blue ones. "Yes."
"Come on. A little snow every once in a while never hurt anyone."
The summer spirit rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "Whatever, Frost. Obviously there's something up, or I wouldn't see both of you putting yours asses on the line to go into my territory."
Hazel ventured, "Did you feel it? In your gut? Something's wrong."
Again, Sunny rolled her eyes. Obviously she was well-versed in that art. "Do you think I'm an idiot? Yeah, I felt it."
In her mind, Hazel was groaning. Sunny was one of the less charming spirits in the world. She reminded Hazel of those girls at school who got spray-tans in January, wore short skirts and high heels and sat next to their jock boyfriends at the popular table. She was always ornery, and always ranked herself above others. The only spirits she showed respect to were Mother Nature and MiM (but only a great fool would do otherwise).
There was no more conversation as the three sailed over Africa and on to Madagascar. Sunny was keeping her distance from Jack, both because they despised each other and because he had created a bubble of cold around himself to keep from melting. Hazel was in between the two, and remained so until they set down in the grove.
It was desolate. Patches of mud were left where there should have been grass. Flowers had been uprooted, and broken branches and rotting fruit littered the ground. Not a bird, bee or butterfly was in sight. The air was strangely chilly. The moon was blocked by dark clouds.
"Oh, my," Hazel whispered, shocked. "What happened here?"
She was startled when something pulled at the hemline of her oversized sweater. When she looked down, a lemur was staring up at her with surprisingly intelligent eyes. He seemed to be beckoning them all in the direction of a cave. The three spirits followed.
Lilly White, spirit of spring, was waiting just inside the entrance. Her blonde hippie hair fell to her hips, and she was wearing a green paisley tunic and bellbottom jeans. A thin scarf was wrapped around her head and tied in the back, and her feet were bare. Her expression was grim. Wordlessly, she patted the lemur on the head and ushered them inside.
The sight that awaited them was the most heartbreaking of all. Mother Nature herself was lying on a bed of grass, and she was ill. Her hair, which was normally a shiny, copper color, was hanging limply on her shoulders. Her cheeks lacked their rosy hue, and there were bags under her eyes. She looked so tired, when she should have been the picture of life.
All four seasonal spirits knelt at her side. Before any of them could speak, a malevolent laugh resonated from the shadows.
"Oh my, dear Sissy isn't looking so good, is she?" A woman stepped into view. She had ratty black hair, and was wearing a tattered black dress with fishnet tights and black leather boots. There was a spike collar around her neck, and her eyes reflected red. If Hazel had to describe her, it would be as insane, but scary and a little badass at the same time. The seasonal spirits each took a fighting stance.
"There's no need for that dearies. I just want to talk. And might I say, not a very warm welcome. Where are your manners?" She walked over to Jack. "Ooh, I forgot, you're a big Guardian now. Do you think that will save you?" He stared her down. She sighed and walked away.
"Really, I'm surprised. None of you care for introductions? Very well, I'll do it myself. Eris, spirit of Chaos. Pleased to meet you."
Hazel said, angrily, "What do you want?"
Eris laughed. "Silly little girl, I would think that obvious! If I'm going to rule the world, I'll need that goody-two-shoes sister of mine out of the way."
Jack scrunched his eyebrows. "You're her sister?"
"Yes. Twins, actually. Though mother and father always liked her better. When she was off singing in the trees and feeding the birds, I was practicing alchemy. I was one of the best out there, but it didn't matter. My accomplishments were always overshadowed by hers. Who cares about turning rocks into diamonds and lead into gold? I was second-best. They gave her everything, while I spent my days in the cellar. Of course everyone loves Mother Nature, but hardly anyone even acknowledges my existence anymore."
Jack softened slightly, like he understood. Hazel almost wanted to feel sorry for Eris, but quickly reminded herself that Eris was evil. Sympathizing with the enemy would get them nowhere.
The spirit of Chaos continued her monologue. "It took me awhile to perfect this little brew. The poison will spread, and soon, nature and order will die. Finally, it will be my turn in the spotlight! Chaos will rule the world!"
"It won't! We can beat you!" Jack yelled. Eris cackled, which was a truly disturbing sound.
"Oh, but you see, not even the Guardians can restore order. And seeing as the only spirit who can will be dead in a few days, I would behave if I were you. I might just have to give you over to my prince." She cackled again, louder this time, and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Sunny was the first to speak. "Well, this is just great. What are we supposed to do?" Hazel ignored her, and knelt next to Lilly at Mother Nature's bedside.
Despite everything, the dying queen smiled at them. "Don't worry. I know you can find a way. You four were not chosen at random, after all."
Lilly looked like she wanted to cry, but held back. "How? We can't do this on our own."
"Rally the other nature spirits. Be their leader. Jackie can help you find them. No matter what happens, stick together. Let your differences bring you together, not push you apart." Lilly nodded.
Mother Nature whispered something to one of the lemurs. He went through a doorway, and returned a minute later with a four-and-a-half-foot tall rabbit.
Wait… a rabbit with antlers.
Hazel's first thought escaped her lips. "The Jackalope is real?"
She smiled. "Call me Jackie." Then she knelt by her queen and they had a short, whispered conversation. Mother Nature then closed her eyes, with a dreamy expression on her face. Jackie patted her hand, and then stood to face the seasonal spirits.
"Alright. Let's find the others. Anyone you can think of who could help."
Jack smiled mischievously, like he had an idea. "I know a few people. Where will we meet up? No offense, but it's a bit warm for me down here, and I would be melting if it were the heat of the day."
Sunny retorted, "We can't go to the North Pole either. Half of us would freeze."
There was a short debate, but they finally agreed to meet at Jackie's home in Wyoming, near Yellowstone National Park. It was also decided that they should travel in pairs, in case Eris's agents tried anything. Sunny went with Lilly, and Hazel went with Jack.
"Good luck," said Jackie, and she tapped the ground twice with her big rabbit foot. A tunnel appeared, and she hopped in. Then the ground closed again, like the tunnel had never been there at all.
Hazel glanced at Jack, who was grinning at her. He extended his elbow, and said, "Shall we?"
Hazel exhaled and looked away, trying to suppress a smile. "Come on," she said, and took off.
Ah. That was fun.
In case any of you have never heard of the Jackalope, it is a North American legend. It is a jackrabbit with the antlers of an antelope, hence the name. And yes, I made her female. You'll see why... ;)
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Thank you!
