AN: Sorry this one took a little longer than normal. I am getting to the end of the part that I had already written, so it may slow down, but I will try to keep it consistent. Thanks so much to everyone who took time to read, comment, review, message, etc. I hope you like the guessing about who attacked Jack. As always, I do not own Rise of the Guardians and I hope you enjoy.
Jack flew, wind howling around him as it kept pace with his emotions. He had almost hurt Bunny, let his anger get the better of him. What was wrong with him? Mind swirling, Jack was barely paying attention to where he was going. Hovering over the trees, he saw a very familiar lake, the one he called home. He had to get away.
The winter spirit rocketed into the air, heading somewhere he couldn't cause any more harm. The cold, hostile, barren landscape of Antarctica came quickly into view. Its harsh winds and blinding brightness nearly caused Jack to fall out of the sky, but he managed a soft landing before collapsing to his knees near a jagged cliff.
Shrieking filled his ears, and he pulled up the blue hood, blocking out the wind's message. He didn't want advice or concern or anything. He didn't deserve it. Maybe they were right, he was better off dead.
Squeezing his eyes shut, Jack tried to block out the flashes up memory that kept threatening to break through the blackness. It was him, chained and bloody, panting as a figure approached him, hands blazing with fire. He suppressed it with a force of will, but another soon rose to take its place. Cold steel sliced his arm, cutting a deep gash that felt as if it was filled with fire. Red seeped down his arm as manacled arms were chained above his head. In a fit of fury, the black cloaked figure cast him to the ground, pushing all of his weight onto the winter spirits pale wrist until a sharp crack echoed.
Jack forced his eyes open, hearing his screams echoing in his head. The white landscape temporarily confused him, until he recalled that he was safe, no longer underground in that warm, dark lair. He crawled backwards quickly before feeling him his back strike the cliff. The hard, cold pressure fully brought him back to the present.
Why him? What had he done to deserve their scorn and hatred? One attacker he could chalk up to pure revenge, but the other two, he had always stayed out of their way.
And now the Guardians were probably disgusted by his attack on Bunny. He hadn't meant for it to happen. He was just a danger to them all with him powers so on edge these days. This irrational anger was enough to set it off. Who was he even angry at? The Guardians hadn't done anything. Jack tried to shove the thought away but it refused to budge. When it came down to it, he was angry at himself for allowing them to catch him. He'd seen the warning signs of an elemental attack, the blast of warm wind, the melting of snow and the tremor in the Earth. It was the shadows that reached out to grab him while he was facing down the other two that he was unprepared for, as well as the feeling of time slowing. He should have fought back harder.
Thoughts racing and spiraling, Jack rested his head on his knees, hood drawn up to cover his face. Although there was no one for miles, he couldn't bear the thought of anyone seeing the frosted tears tracing their way down his face. They were a sentinel to his weakness. However, he just let them flow, not being able to stop the salty traitors. His tears were pointless, just as everything else about him. He was just a menace to society. He hurt people, didn't help them. His powers would kill people just like they said. He was better off alone, not talking to others, he would just hurt them.
Drifting around, Jack spread his winter, but without the usual gusto he brought to the season. Trying as hard as he could, there was still no flicker of fun teasing its way through his chest and bouncing to be released. What was the point anyways? He was meant to be alone.
It was only when Bunny sought him out and dragged him back to the Pole that Jack actually allowed himself to think of the Guardians. He had been forcing them out of his head.
"Jack, there you are," North boomed upon seeing the winter spirit standing awkwardly in the Guardian's meeting room, exit blocked and locked by Bunny. "I'm glad Bunny found you. Where have you been?"
Spreading snow, Jack spelled out.
"Well, we just vanted to check your throat, see if you can speak yet. Okay?"
Jack nodded reluctantly, he didn't deserve their care but if it made them feel better. Following a grinning North to the infirmary, Jack could feel Bunny's presence behind him. The anthropomorphic rabbit had hardly said a word to him. Jack couldn't blame him for being angry, he had almost hurt the bunny last time he saw him.
The checkup went rather smoothly, North proding and poking at the mostly healed skin of Jack's neck. He didn't resist any of his ministrations, allowing the man to take off his hoodie and check the burns and slashes on his chest as well as his wrist. After North's rather unsuccessful attempt to initiate conversation, the room lapsed into silence, but Jack barely noticed. His chest felt heavy, weighing him down and making it difficult for him to breathe properly.
"I have good news Jack," North announced, startling the winter spirit with the suddenness of the declaration. "Swelling has gone down and you may speak."
Jack nodded mutely, barely registering the words. After the silence dragged on for a few moments, North tried again. "You want to say anything?"
The winter spirit shook his head sadly, he had nothing to say. His eyes drifted towards North and then settled on Bunny. The Guardian had a tense expression, probably just waiting for Jack to say something so that he could chew him out. After all, its hard to be angry at someone who can't talk back to you. Jack backed up a few steps, noticing both of their weary gazes on him.
Fast as lightening, one of Bunny's paws stopped Jack from retreating any more. His voice was finally heard, "Are you not going to say anything?" The winter spirit shook his head again, keeping his eyes down and waiting for the lecture. Instead, he was released and not a sound was made. Quickly, Jack retreated, flying through the window and into the brisk, frosty air of the North Pole.
"Vhat was that?" North demanded.
Bunny shook his head, unable to form a coherent response.
"Jack doesn't want to talk?" North tried again.
"Honestly, I don't know," the Guardian of Hope managed. "But did you see the expression on his face?"
The Russian nodded sadly, fighting a lump of sadness as he tried to rise to his throat.
Even though North had confirmed his understanding, Bunny still whispered, "Jack feels hopeless." This was a blow to one who tried to protect hope. "What can we do, mate?"
For once, the older Guardian didn't have an answer. "Maybe Sandy can help. Tomorrow is Guardian meeting, we can talk then."
AN: Angst, maybe just a little. I'll leave it up to you guys, I was going to go through a bit of bonding between Jack and each of the Guardians as they try to help him recover. Or I may make that part faster and skip to the chase if you guys want. Please leave me your thought in a review or a PM.
