Hello everyone! I'm back.

I had a little lazy time while translating.

I hope this new chapter will please you. I have a poll open on my profile so that you can choose wich OS you want first. These OS are part of the same universe as the Believers.

Thanks to Jenny, Cupcakes and Turrislucidus for their reviews. If you are fan of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (movie), go read Turrislucidus story 'The Interview': It's awesome! And I also thank her for beta-reading me!

Answer to a review and explanation about the clothes collected by Rachel: this is based on a personal experience I had with my son. He had to go to the HR because of gastroenteritise. He lost weight... He stayed four days and even though we brought clothes for him (he was two), he puked on them 'too much'. So the hospital nurse lent us clothes from their boxes, but they hadn't many of them. And some parents never give them back... As a 'thank you', I asked the people at my church to organize a collect for the Children's HR. Before Christmas we brought something like twelve big bags of clothes for children ages from birth to 16 years old. They thought it was a kind of 'Christmas miracle'...

Again: I am not the owner of Guardian of Childhood nor Rise of the Guardians. Sniff... if only!


Ian and Rachel in Wonderland : the Warrior Bunny's Warren.

His face distorted by fear, it was painful to see Bunny this way. Pippa had just decided to present everyone herself and to explain their intrusion in his abode, because Jamie was still in shock from the giant rabbit's appearing behind him and Rachel and Chelsea were still sore from their rough collision, when Ian Bennett strode past her and extended his right hand to the Guardian.

"Hello! Ian Bennett! I'm Sophie and Jamie's father. And usually the happy owner of Abby, here present… You wouldn't have a rope with you, perchance?" Abby was struggling, her collar firmly held in the iron grip of her master.

« A rope ? Euh, no, not on me. But… euh, don't move an inch. I'll come back. Don't let her loose!" And to every human's stupefaction, the Easter Bunny scampered away, at an incredible speed, between a bush and a rock covered with drawings of eggs.

« No really ! Why did you have to frighten him? We didn't even have time to talk to him…" complained Rachel, while dusting off her trousers. Her crestfallen face and her accusing eyes put her husband's ideas in their place.

« I'm sorry. I didn't think he would react that way. I just wanted to introduce myself and to let him know that we are not a menace… Yes, sorry my princess, he will come back Mr Bunny… » After kissing his wife's temple, Ian had turned to his daughter, who was crying on a patch of moss and surrounded by fragrant flowers.

« You betcha I will be back ! No one enters my Warren without authorization. So, if you want to talk, tie that mutt (Ian frowned, Bunny changed his mind) … this greyhound, to a tree with this rope. Heehee… Nothing can cut or break it: It has been braided with liana by the Spirits of the Hunters… in Amazonia… Why am I telling you this? … (He scratched his neck) Better if you answer my questions: How did you come to my Warren? Why? And… do you have a hanky?"

For first two questions, Pippa easily understood Bunny was anxious to see humans land in his magical and secret realm. For the third, however, she didn't understand at all. Well… until she watched Bunny bent to his left leg where Sophie was feverishly clinging. Her tears (and her flowing nose, beurk) were wiping themselves 'naturally' on the rabbit's fur. Rachel unsheathed a tissue from her jeans' pocket that she held out to the cramped warrior.

« Take that, and I apologize for this sudden arrival in your 'Warren'. It seems that Sophie rather fancied seeing you again and she didn't leave us a choice in following her." Bunny was wiping the face of his beloved ankle-biter as well as he was able (Pippa was laughing to herself at the nickname he had given Sophie). He mumbled a "thanks". And since Sophie didn't want to let him go, Bunny took the initiative to hold her in his paw, which calmed her and made her giggle in delight.

« Hey ! This is MY daughter ! » Ian's exclamation didn't go un-noticed. Rachel claped her right hand to her forehead, Jamie and the boys sniggered, Cupcake followed suit and Pippa bit her lip to restrain herself from doing the same. Bunny looked at Ian, without understanding.

"I know she's your daughter, I'm not a twit. What do you think? Thwat I would eat her? Sorry to destroy your illusion, mate, but I'm a veggie lover like all respectable bunnies."

« I didn't mean to imply you had bad intents toward my daughter, just that… well… it's MY daughter and I am not use to see her latch on someone else leg…"

"Darling, are you trying to say that you're jealous?" whispered Rachel, a smirk on the corner of her lips. Pippa knew Mrs Bennett was right when her spouse blushed the shade of a very mature tomato, and stuttered "No way! What are you saying… me, jealous, pfu! Not whatsoever!"

« You know Dad, you really are not credible. Hello Bunny. I have to apologize too, for disturbing you like that. I didn't think Sophie knew how to use the snow globe, otherwise I wouldn't have put it on the table where she could take it! But if I were you, I would rather give the rope to my father, Abby doesn't seem to settle down." Bunny sent a quick look at the dog who was still grunting and trying quite desperately to free herself from her master's clutch.

« Yup, you're right kiddo. Catch it ! And go tie her to the Singing Willow. It's hefty, she won't be able to break the trunk whit her struggling." Seeing the man's look of surprise, he added: "The Singing Willow, it's the tree behind you with the turquoise leaves…"

« A Singing Willow ? You mean that it… sings ? For real ? » asked, Cupcake, ecstatic. "Yup, it sings like a baritone. But only during the equinoxes and the solstices. It's a magic tree you see. It never loses its leaves, and its sap has very useful curatives properties to heal wounds and toothaches. North needs it all too often and calls for it all the time! The sap also has a delicious taste and it's one of my secret ingredients to create the best chocolate in the world!"

There was such pride in his eyes and his posture that it made Pippa feel all warm inside. Since yesterday evening, she have met people who have many things they were ready to fight for, to live for and even to die for… And her, what counted for her? She didn't have a specific hobby and everything interested her. Although, nothing was important enough to answer this question.

Each Guardian had their own abilities in which they excel. Rachel was a nurse at the same time kickass and hyper feminine (Wonder Woman, better, without the suit and the Amazons stereotypes). Ian was a doting father and loving man (his wife, his trains, the life…). Jamie would surely become a writer or a storyteller, or even a college mythology professor… Monty wanted to be a vet like his parents and Cupcake would probably work with horses. Caleb destined for business studies like his mother and Claude wished to follow in his father's footsteps at the garage. She was the only one who didn't know what she wanted to do with her life, and it was drowning her in an abyss of anguish and sadness she was barely hiding behind a 'posed' smile. Because even if she was nine, Philippa Carren knew that whatever her choice would be, her parents would say she could do better while belittling her competences. She was used to it…

When she recovered and despite the growing ball of stress that had formed in her stomach, Pippa couldn't suppress her laughs at the Easter Bunny's situation: Sophie was on his back, with him on his four legs; Monty, Cupcake and Caleb were asking him hundreds of questions and Claude was trying to filch one of his boomerangs. For Ian and Rachel's part, they were just caressing Abby who was slowly smoothing herself.

When a hand landed on her shoulder, Pippa jumped three feet in the air. "I'm sorry! I didn't want to scare you! I was just wondering if you were OK, you seemed lost in your thoughts. It's something that happens to me quite often, so I know how to recognize the signs of this phenomenon in others. Are you all right? You don't want to ask questions of Bunny? Cause I've got tons of them ! »

Jamie's brown eyes were shining like two suns. Pippa was pretty sure, at this instant, about one thing she would do later in her life: Stay friend with this amazing boy. And perhaps, one day…

« Mr Bunny ! Now the threat is under control, will you let us introduce ourselves properly?" Rachel was walking, all smiles, toward said Bunny. This one stood up and gently placed Sophie on the ground next to him. "Oy, Sheila. I'm not against it. And you'll tell me how you got one of North's snowglobe… »

"Excellent, so I will do the introductions. The boy who's trying to pinch one of your weapons is Claude Winslow and his twin, more serious on the surface but just as mischievous, is called Caleb. ("Hee! I'm reliable!" / Caleb; « No way, in your dreams bro ! » / Claude)

The kid who's wearing glasses is Monroe Trendfield, but his buddies call him Monty. He's the first friend my Jamie made while he was still wearing diapers. ("Mum!" / Jamie; "Oh no… the shame…" /Monty)

Then you have Cupcake, her real name being Chelsea Brown, a big fan of horses and unicorns. She's ten years old while the others are nine.

This pretty girl here (she had taken Pippa by her shoulders) is Philippa Carren, Jamie's best friend and I hope for her to one day become my daughter-in-law. ("MOM!" / Jamie « But, no, that's not… » / Pippa « Correction, that's THE shame ! » / Monty)

And finally, I am Rachel Bennet, born Shepperd, 36 years old, nurse, black-belt judoka and only early riser in a family of alarm clocks breaker. ("Darling! You exaggerate, it only happened two times last month!") I will let my husband introduce himself. He seemed very happy to do it a while ago… »

To say that Bunny was in shock would have been to understate the truth. He was looking at Rachel with huge round eyes, his paws tense on his boomerangs his legs ready to leap away if she had even the slightest idea of coming closer to his personal space.

"And me, who thought Tooth had the flow of a waterfall… You mustn't meet her... not in a life time… never…" He was mumbling rather paranoid.

« Mmm… so, like I told you before, I'm Ian Bennett. I'm 36, well soon 37. I work for the US Railway Maintenance Company. I have loved trains since my early childhood. And I am a huge fan of the eggs hunts you organize each years! So, yeah, that's it for now." Ian had once again stretch his hand toward Bunny and to everyone surprise, he took it and shook it.

« I believe that's the first time an adult has told me he likes to hunt my eggs ! I understand better where Sophie's enthusiasm for running after them comes from. Welcome to the Warren! I'm E. Aster Bunnymund, better known under the nickname of 'The Easter Bunny'. Fabulous chocolate maker, genius inventor and fearless warrior. Still… you have to answer my question: Did North give you a bloody snowglobe or did the no-hoper lose another one?"

Claude was the fastest to reply : « It was a yeti who gave one to Jamie ! »

« The yetis !? Rhaa… If they get started too, we will go nowhere. Ace, if it's you Jamie who received this prezzy, how come you're ALL there?" With arms crossed, one eyebrow raised and with his 6 foot 1 tall, Bunny was making an imposing impression on said boy.

« Well, mmh… It's the sole fault of my mother ! » And as soon he finished this grumbled sentence, Jamie ran to his friends, grabbed Pippa and Monty, and shouted "Run for your lives!".

The children didn't waste any time and dashed away, laughing. Pippa turned her head and glimpsed Rachel's stunned face. However, the woman recovered quickly and screamed outraged: "Jamie, come back here this instant! How dare you put all the blame on me!"

Ian couldn't hold back any more and burst out laughing. "Frankly sweetie, I think you deserve it. You forced them to tell you their story. Now, they are getting back at you in their own way…"

Pippa didn't hear the end. Caleb and Chelsea laugher was too loud and drowned out the lively discussion between Rachel, Ian and Bunnymund. After running a few more hundreds meters, the children stopped near multicolored flowers and two giant stone eggs. Pippa was breathing with some difficulty due to her laughers and even if she was fond of athleticism, her strong point was more stamina than burst of speed peaks…

" Whoa buddy, what a poker move! How you slipped away from Bunny's question and tossed it to your own mother… We have to write that in our diaries!" Claude was sprawled on the ground and all his body was shaking with laughter. Monty was drying his tears with his shirt sleeve, while Chelsea was holding her sides: "I didn't think you had it in you, Bennett! Your mother's gonna have a hard time explaining everything. Well, on the other hand, you'll have to deal with a huge punishment when we get back to Burgess… Your mother is formidable when she wants !"

Jamie winced. One thing was for sure : Rachel will tickle him mercilessly! "Bof, I don't see what she will add to what she had already planned for us. She wants us to help her tidy the neighbor's things. Mrs Patson seems to have an awful bazaar in her garage and in her cellar. From what she told me this morning, it's either we help, or she tells your parents about our little night trip playing in the snow, alone in the streets…"

"No kidding? She would do that?" Caleb was outraged.

« Sorry Caleb but I corroborate what Jamie said. She indicated it to me when we were looking for clothes I could wear. And you Jamie, when did she talk to you?" Pippa turned around to look at her friend, confused.

« When you were showering. I just hung up with Cupcake when she came back down the stairs. She told me to free my Sunday afternoon schedule in order to perform a servic. You could imagine my joy at these news. I like Mrs Patson, she's nice and everything… but her house is full of old things she doesn't want to throw away. It's going to take hours to clean up! Days even! And only if there's a miracle, we have NO chance of escaping that corvee… I amaze myself by wishing for Pitch to emerge from a dark corner during Sunday lunch, after the dessert. I can't see anything else that would force my mother to leave us be instead of tiding and battling dust and spider webs…"

« I know two people who will be really happy not to look after me next Sunday…" sighted Monty in contentment.

" Yeah, who?" asked Chelsea.

" Next week-end, my parents will assist with a Cat Show in Philadelphia. They are part of the team of veterinarians who supervise the contest. Stop giggling Claude, it's a very serious contest. It's not something Cadillac could participate. Your cat is perhaps smart but his look is mangy."

"Mangy, my cat? Say that again if you dare…" Claude walked to Monty who retreated and then stumbled, landing his nose in the flowers. Pippa intervened, Jamie doing the same while kneeling near the blond boy. "Wow, guys, keep quiet! Claude, I don't see why you lose your cool! You know very well that Cadillac is not handsome… outside. But what makes everyone like him is that he is sweet, cuddly, smart and playful. OK?"

Claude was sheepish. Apparently he was blaming himself for shouting at his friend. "I'm so sorry Monroe. For some days Cadillac has health problems and I really don't want to see him dying. He's already 16 and I know it's very lucky he reached this old age… So when you told me he was mangy, I couldn't bear it." His brother came to comfort him. Cadillac had always had a preference for Claude because he always lingers in his father's garage. And as Cadillac is first of all the mascot of the garage 'Winslow & Sons', he quicky bonded with the younger twin who had the same passion as his father.

« I am the one who needs to make amend, Claude. I am aware of Cadillac health problem. It was wicked to say that about him… Will you forgive me?" Monty had stood up and was holding his hand to his friend. "Pfuu… for sure I forgive you! We're buddies for life! Say, I will even let you finish that story of yours. So who's gonna be happy to get rid of you Sunday afternoon?"

« Tss… you don't lose the thread. So according to you, who will be glad to spend some hours with her darling, without me at home?" "LOL, Bea for sure!"

« Your sister is coming back to Burgess ? I thought she had some more months before the end of her school year and graduation." Pippa nodded, Jamie's question was totally valid.

« Well she has still a two months internship to do. And guess where she decided to do it? Tadaa! At our parents veterinary clinic, yeap! That won't be Rowan who will say no. » The children were laughing good naturally. Rowan was one the municipal gardener. Beatrice, or Bea for family and friends, had gone out together out for ten years now and they planned to marry as soon as she finished her studies. Just a few more months, and they will be able to finally have a more stable relationship… and shorten their phone invoices. Those two called each other for hours on end. It was a recurring joke Monroe and his friends told on occasion. Still, not Chelsea who was the last to arrive in their small group. She had no idea why they were all laughing.

« Could someone explain ? » she grunted.

"Ah, yeah, sorry Cupcake. You don't know my sister Beatrice. She is pursuing a cursus to become veterinarian, like our parents, at the Ivy League, Pennsylvania's College, the most famous veterinarian school in the world! She has almost finished. And Rowan is her fiancé. He lives in Burgess. They can't let one half-day goes by without calling. And when they are together, there's not many things that can separate them… They look like two suction suckers. ("Beurk, thanks for the mental image Monroe") You're welcome Caleb. When she arrives Friday evening and she will have what will be a GOOD news for her, she will by in Seven Heaven. And I will be in Hell if I come back home before the designate hour… So, sorry Jamie, but I don't want a miracle. Sort your neighbor's belongings, I'm okay with it."

« If it's to please dear Bea, it will be OK for me too. I will sort at Mrs Patson on Sunday. But only if you all come. Otherwise, it won't be funny!" « Promise ! » Caleb said merrily. The other followed too.

« At last, your mother wouldn't have to blackmail us… We will do this service activity for three good reasons : Mrs Patson, Bea and Rowan ! Hahaha…" Pippa thought that Caleb had a gift for concluding a discussion with a certain art. He will make a killing later during his business meetings…

« Well, it's not I'm bored but wouldn't it be better if we visit rather than prattle?" asked Chelsea. Seeing the smiles brightening her friends' face, Chelsea pointed a grove. "Why don't we begin this way?"


The tension was rising between the two humans. Bunny didn't know how to make them stop. He had so few contacts with adult humans. The sheila, Rachel, if he was not mistaken, was struggling to contain her emotions. Her husband seemed not in the mood to help her. Sophie was observing near Bunny her parents quarreling… well, mostly her mother.

« Hey, you're at my home. Stop acting like a couple of brats, and don't act like I am not around. OK, I have been a lil' hard with you. But I'm not used to see mortals stumbling in my realm. Just tell me how you know about my existence. And why you came here." His low voice and his impressive stature made them quieter in an instant. Rachel was mulling in her corner, hre back to her husband. Ian was growling and looking half-shamefully, half-angrily at the Aussie.

« Sorry. We had a very busy morning. And our landing here was quite eventful. We didn't even have time to eat our dessert. The magic portal had engulfed our table and our ice creams cups!" grumbled Ian.

Bunny winced. « How come 'engulfed'? »

« My beloved fairy princess decided to operate the snow globe under the dining room table. When the vortex opened, the table was instantly sucked up with everything that was on it. Anyway, say… where did it land?"

Rachel who was still sulking but wasn't missing a beat about the exchange, pointed with her index the rainbow river. "I think it's in the water. I can see two legs protruding."

« My river ! » yelped Bunny. « Grand-dad's table ! » whimpered Ian. Both of them ran to the shore. Bunny obviously reached it first and with the help of one of his boomerangs, he recovered a floating sugar bowl. "As if I didn't have enough work with cleaning the damages caused by Pitch's Nightmares, now I have a table in my paint river and tea crockery… Blimey! I can't anymore! That's too much!" And then he threw the sugar bowl away. It burst on a rock.

"Hey! Careful! That sugar bowl belonged to my great-grand-mother ! It was china from Limoges!" Ian screamed, indignant about the handling inflicted on his dishes.

« Oh yeah ? It's my bloody work of one whole year that has been reduced into nothing! So unless you help me with cleaning all that stuff (he made a gesture to show them the broken eggs laying on the ground), I tell you to go with the ankle-biters, go around a little while and then, bye, bye! I have work to do, I don't have time for a table and some dishes…"

Rachel had approach the duo, Sophie holding her hand. She felt the sadness and the tiredness of their host.

« And if we help you clean, you will help us in exchange, with our stuff ? » Bunny jumped in surprise and did an about face.

" It's a lot of work you have there. Jamie told us Easter had been ruined this year and that you had been severly wounded by it. Let us help. You deserve it after all you did in saving the children…" Bunny was touched by these words from Jamie's mother, and was amazed he could give back a smile.

« My wife is right, as most of the time. We have to help you, even if it's just a little while. It will always be a gain for you!" Ian had put his hand on Bunny's shoulder and Bunny raised his head toward him.

"I apologize for breaking your sugar bowl. I didn't rest for several days and after seeing my egglets being crushed and squeezed under the hoofs of those bastard Nightmares, I don't feel as happy as before in my Warren."

"Apologies accepted. Stop now, we're not in a soap opera. We stop the sobbing part and we roll up our sleeves. This morning I cleared trees on a railway, now it will be eggs in a warren. Every moment a new adventure! Yipee!" And Ian Bennett turned on his heels and walked with a spring in his steps to the lawn stretching a little away. "Do you have any bags to store them after we pick them up?" he shouted over his shoulder.

« Yup. I'm going to get them. And… thanks. Really. Do you want to help me my pretty ankle-biter ? » « Yes ! Bunny!" screamed Sophie, in delight.

"Hehehe… You have an adorable daughter. She helped me find the joy again of preparing Easter, well with the help of Frosbite. Sophie, do you want to climb on my back?" The girl didn't waste time.

"Frostbite? Who is thatt? An other guardian ? » Ian inquired.

"It's Frost. That's one of the nickname I gave him. He calls me 'Kangaroo', I call him 'Frostbite'. If he stops, I will do the same…" That said, with a smile on the corner of his mouth, he hoped away with Sophie on his back, reappearing only a few minutes later with several bags and baskets.

« Let us start with the Warren. I will clear my tunnels tomorrow." he declared, holding out two baskets for Rachel and a huge bag for Ian. "Your tunnels? How many do you have?" Rachel's natural curiosity was resurfacing.

« That Sheila, is not easy to say. They are underground all over the Earth. I can go from one place to another in mere seconds with them, as do my chocolate eggs. That's how I will get you back to your town. How much time can you spend here?"

« It was around 1 pm when we left. We could say that in three hours we have to be in Burgess. The parents of the other children should start to worry around 5 pm." Rachel answered quickly.

Bunny grumbled once more « Faster than Tooth ! » and declared in more normal voice : « Well, that's good. We will have to clean and talk before a small snack. I will make you taste my chocolate. You will never find a better chocolate in the whole world! The kids will love it… Very well done Sophie, keep going. One after the other, in the big bag."

« How did you meet my daughter ? » The question was of course asked by her father. So, Ian was truly a protective and sensibly jealous father. Bunny didn't fell offended by it. It was the parents duty to watch their kids and give them all their love. There were too many neglected children, nay mistreated by their parents. Meeting a father and a mother mindful of their children well-being was rather enjoyable. As a Guardian of Childhood, these parental feelings gave him a boost of energy and happiness. He thought it would do him good to stay in touch with these two humans, so as not to lose such astounding believers.

« I can't tell you how I met your daughter without explaining my story. You're lucky, you have two hours for that!" And with a wink, Bunny began his story, answering to Rachel and Ian, gathering pieces of egglets and playing with Sophie until snack time (USA East Coast time) deciding then to take a filling, greedy break.