"State your name and business."
"E. Aster Bunnymund, Nickolas St. North, and Sanderson Mansnoozie. We wish to seek audience with Mother Nature concerning one of her seasonals." Bunny explained to the sprite in front of them. Said sprite nodded and granted them passage through the gate. The castle looming over the Guardians' heads wasn't a dark castle, but with the thorns covering the walls, it was still pretty intimidating.
"Is too late to turn back now, yes?"
"Ya said it North. Ya got yer sand ready Sandy?" The Guardian of Dreams nodded as the guards opened the doors into the throne room, where Mother Nature was sitting and discussing something with some winter sprites.
"-and don't forget to check that China has at least two inches of snow today." Mother turned her head and noticed the Guardians standing in the doorway. "Ah, there you are! I was about to send one of my sprites to go get you. Tell me, what has become of my Winter Seasonal? I hope he hasn't been shirking from his duties again."
"I'm sorry, Yer Highness, but-"
"Please, call me Mother."
"I'd rather not, but can we talk to ya alone?" Bunny asked, glancing at the audience around them.
"Of course. Court is dismissed." The room emptied in record time and the vines that served as the walls thickened to prevent eavesdroppers.
"Why do I feel as though you are about to give me some bad news concerning Jack?" Mother shifted in her throne, becoming uneasy. Bunny nodded at Sandy, who prepared a ball of dream sand.
"I'm afraid yer right. We do have some bad news fur ya."
"What?" Bunny pushed North forward.
"Go on mate. We all agreed ya would tell her." Mother tightened her grip on the arm rests of her throne. This must've been really bad.
"Fine. Miss Nature, I'm afraid Jack has been, how do you say, put out of commission for moment." North hesitantly stated. Mother's grip on her throne tightened.
"What do you mean?"
"JackHasBeenAttackedAndIsCurrentlyRecoveringFromNastyStabWound." North said quickly, almost too quickly for Mother to understand.
Almost.
"What!? Who did this!? They should be punished!" She raged. North stopped Sandy from launching his dream sand for a moment.
"We do not know identity of attacker, but are working on helping Jack so that he might be able tell us." Mother caught Bunny shifting his gaze to the floor.
"You may not know, but Aster does." Bunny looked up again and cleared his throat.
"Yes, I do know. But I can't tell ya."
"Why not!? Jack is my child, and I can't stand by and let his attacker run free while he's hurt! Just because I'm not one of your 'Guardians" does not mean— "
"I promised Frostbite I would wait for him!" Mother released her death-grip on her throne. North and Sandy watched as Bunny dropped his ears.
"I promised him. Jack comes first, revenge can wait."
*Somewhere in Las Vegas*
"You will roll a snake eyes and lose everything. You, however, will roll a seven and win it all." The dice fell and the predictions came to pass.
"Luck, that's not fair. This man has been donating all his winnings to the dog shelter across the street. That guy's a mob boss!"
"Fine, Karma, I'll have this guy win the next game. Why do you always have to follow me around?" The gambling spirit groaned. She flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder, knowing that made the brunette jealous.
"Because, Lady Luck, it's my job to make sure you're doing things right. If I weren't here, this place would be out of business just like that." Karma snapped her fingers for emphasis. Lady Luck rolled her eyes.
"Oh please. You have so little faith in me. I can accomplish things just fine without you." She blew on one man's dice and he won the round. Karma folded her arms across her chest. She wasn't as 'perfect' as Lady Luck, but she was still quite beautiful.
"Really? Tell me one thing you've done right without me."
"You remember that Winter brat, Frost, right?"