Author's Note: We have come to the end of Metazoa. A big thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed and/or added this fic to your favorites and/or follows.
As I've mentioned in the first chapter, the conclusion of this story is pretty open-ended. I am open to ideas though, so if anyone wants me to continue or very kindly suggests plot ideas/prompts related to Metazoa, I'll see where I can take it. Otherwise, I'm perfectly satisfied with leaving it as it is.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians.
Metazoa
Chapter 9: Present – 5
Animalia rests on a nest of soft blue blankets in a corner of the infirmary. The beds have been pushed aside to create space on the floor for the large animal, and white bandages are wrapped securely around several parts of her body, allowing the medicine underneath to do their work.
Mother Nature sits next to her, and the two spirits stare intensely at each other.
Given how the Spirit of Nature keeps her daughter a closely guarded secret to protect her, allowing the other spirits to believe that 'Animalia' was a title rather than the name of a certain shape-shifting Spirit of the Animals, it is also a little known fact that the pair can converse telepathically.
What were you thinking? Mother Nature chides.
Jack needed help. I was the only one around. Animalia replies weakly.
Why didn't you change your form? You could have sustained less damage and gotten to safety sooner.
I –
Why didn't you call me for help?
It goes unspoken, what Mother Nature really means to say is: What if they had attacked you too?
Animalia bows her head. You said not to let the other spirits find out about me, so I stayed a reindeer, since it's the least conspicuous animal at Santoff Claussen. And I didn't want to worry you. I thought I could handle it myself. I made sure no one saw me, and Jack wasn't that heavy to carry…
Behind Mother Nature, the door to the infirmary creaks open softly and Jack's head pops in, looking around hopefully. He winces when he spots the Spirit of Nature nearby and ducks in cautiously, tip-toeing his way behind some curtains as silently as possible. Catching Animalia's eye, he sends her a quick wink.
"Foolish child," Mother Nature suddenly hisses, her lips twisting into a disapproving frown.
Animalia cringes slightly and turns her head away. Jack can almost see the hurt and resignation emanating from her stiff posture as she looks anywhere but into Mother's narrowed eyes.
But then something softens the hard expression on the Spirit of Nature's face as she reaches forward to cup the reindeer's muzzle and bring it towards herself, lowering her upper body towards Animalia as she gently strokes her neck, carefully minding the bandages covering scorched burn marks on her fur.
"My silly child…" she whispers tenderly. "Such a brave girl…"
Animalia lets out a soft whine and leans into her embrace. Jack smiles to himself, beginning to see some truth in Tooth's claim about Mother Nature having a soft spot.
"Rest well," she says, petting Animalia's head. "I will come by again to see you first thing tomorrow morning." With that, the Spirit of Nature rises from the floor and takes her leave. Jack ducks back behind the curtains and waits.
After hearing the click of the door signaling her departure, the winter spirit finally reveals himself and makes his way over to the reindeer.
"Hey," he whispers, smiling as he crouches down to her level. "How're you feeling?"
Animalia nuzzles his cheek in greeting and Jack chuckles.
"I thought I told you to wait for me," he scolds gently, stroking her neck. "But Mother Nature's right, you know? You were really brave back there. And strong too! Bunny's always complaining about how heavy I am whenever I jump on him."
The reindeer snorts in laughter and Jack grins. He notices the way her bright green eyes light up with mirth, and somewhere at the back of his mind, memories stir.
Jack spends a few more minutes talking to Animalia before bidding his farewell and letting her rest. He makes sure to leave quietly so as to avoid disturbing the sleeping reindeer, and his back is facing the hallway as he carefully closes the door to the infirmary with a soft click.
Immediately, the hairs at the back of his neck stand up as a cool voice speaks from behind him.
"Frost," greets Mother Nature.
The Guardian of Fun audibly swallows before turning around to see the Spirit of Nature leaning against the railing, watching him with hawk-like eyes.
Clearly, she had been waiting for him.
"M-Ma'am – ah, I – I mean, M-Mother," Jack stutters, inwardly cursing himself and fighting down the sudden urge to stand at attention. He doesn't understand why his mischievous and cocky attitude chooses to abandon him whenever he encounters Mother Nature. He's never had a problem with authority before – just ask the long-suffering Phil – but for some reason, her intimidation factor is serious stuff.
Maybe it's because she holds jurisdiction over all the seasons, but still. Like, forget the Boogeyman – Pitch could take lessons from her.
A laugh sounding suspiciously like Bunnymund's echoes in his head.
Many people's perception of Mother Nature is that she is a gentle lady with long flowing hair and a kind face, wearing a beautiful green dress and surrounded by plants all the time.
Jack feels sorry to say that they can't be further from the truth.
As he had told the Guardians, the Spirit of Nature is a serious woman. Sharp eyes, angular face, high cheekbones and dark green hair reaching only up to her chin, she is dressed in… not a dress, but an olive long-sleeved top and matching pants and boots, as if preparing to go for a hike. Rumor has it that she only wears shoes indoors but goes barefooted outside. That, plus the fact that Jack has never seen her smile at anyone who's not an animal, goes to show how much she is not as ladylike and graceful as most tend to think she is.
"I trust your injuries were seen to as well?" Mother Nature asks stoically, giving him a quick once over.
Jack snaps out of his thoughts. "Er, yeah – I mean, no! I mean –"
He clears his throat and pauses to gather his words as she raises an eyebrow.
"I'm fine," he finally answers, looking at her. "A little dehydrated, but nothing a dip in a snow bank won't fix." Shuffling his feet slightly, his eyes lower to the ground as he jerks his head towards the infirmary. "Will Animalia be all right?" he asks somewhat meekly, unable to hold Mother Nature's intense gaze.
She nods. "She'll be fine. She should be well enough to travel by tomorrow, and I will be taking her home for her to heal fully."
The following silence suggests that the brief conversation is over, so Mother Nature turns to walk away, but Jack's voice stops her.
"Wait," he says.
She looks back to see him fiddling with his staff nervously.
"You're… you're not mad at me?" he asks in confusion, frowning at her. "I mean, I did make a mess of the seasons during the past three centuries."
"Your circumstances were different then," Mother Nature replies. "You had befriended the Wind, and he had a word with me about your isolation from the world. Your actions were attention seeking, but only to soothe the loneliness in your heart. Admittedly, my own inaction in seeking you out did not help matters in the slightest. For what it's worth, I do apologize for my part in your solitude."
Jack's eyes widen in surprise, not expecting the apology.
"However," she continues, "now that you have been appointed as a Guardian, I trust you understand your responsibilities?"
The winter spirit nods earnestly, previously anxiety forgotten. Mother Nature gives him a small smile of approval, and Jack replies with a grin.
"Thanks," he says sincerely, tension leaving his body as he finally relaxes.
Mother Nature nods and casts one last look at the infirmary's doors before taking her leave.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading. Comments are greatly appreciated :)
