August. The eighth month of the year where temperature is as hot as in July in the early weeks, but gets colder as it gets closer to September. The streets crowded by tourists and the terrace of restaurants full at every time of the day. This summer was a particularly hot and sunny one. There has been no rain since the end of school, to the great despair of the winter spirits. Both of them had enough of this temperature, always complaining. Maybe complaining was a wrong choice of words for Jack's situation. After all, nobody had really seen him since the hot wave had started. For the entire month, he had tried to not go outside as much as possible, he had occupied the bathroom for hours taking cold bath and refusing to come out until he was forced out. He event changed the deal he had with Aster that they made the night of the school dance. Jack would erase from his memory the tab of ice cream, if he would exchange of bedroom with Aster, only for summer that is. This last one had notice how hard it was for the winter mischief to just live in this hot weather and he wasn't about to let his good friend dry out for the rest of the summer. So Jack had stayed locked up in his room all day long until night was out. That guy really was like Pitch thought the guardians. Pitch on the opposite, who was also nowhere to be seen, was out all day, even a big part of the night. The others all suspected that he had a date with his girlfriend, who were surprised by this turn of event but thought that it was good that the evil Nightmare King was getting more human as the days went by.

Being humans. Nick wasn't really afraid to become one, but he had to say that his workshop was missing him. The days he spent planning the next Christmas, the ice sculptures he was making in hi free time, the new toys that he created, the elves scattered in every corners and almost stepping on one. And of course, how could he not miss his fellow co-workers, the loyal yetis that worked hard with him, day and night, to achieve the perfect holiday. Now they were all alone, with no boss to tell them what to do. Anxiety took the guardian of wonder. At this time of the year, half of the toys were already made. Nick had no way to contact his workers, no way to tell them what to do, how to get things working until he would come back…no way to know if they were alright. Yetis were smart. They would be able to get things going until the boss would come back. But still, it wasn't the same without their Nicholas St. North who knew exactly what to create to make a perfect Christmas gift. Time was running short. Who would deliver the gifts in December? What would become of his holiday if he couldn't be Santa Claus anymore? Now that Nick had only that to do, with no school to get in the way of his mind, he couldn't get that thought out and was getting day by day more nervous. Manny was taking too much time to find his solution. It was a wonder if Ana had still believers. The poor girl did not have a lucky year. Nick knew that even if she was always smiling and having fun, she was stressed. Her fairies knew what to do, but they were all alone, they need their queen. They all knew that each night she would check on her teeth if there wasn't one that was about to fall, which was always resulting negative, and that every morning, she would check under her pillow to see if one of her fairies would have find her, which ended the same way as the teeth. Aster was worried too, but never let it show. He was a though guy with nerves of steal. The guardian of hope had got himself occupied to not think about their big problem. The only persons that Nick didn't know how they were feeling were Jack and Sandy. They've been hanging out with each other a lot at school, and never had they shown weaknesses about the matter. No one knew if it was bugging them or if they could live in those bodies forever. Along with Pitch, those two were the mysteries of the house.

The bearded guardian couldn't stand it anymore; he had to find a way to get everybody back to normal. In his young days several centuries ago, when he was only a ruffian and the apprentice of a great wizard, he had been able to change humans turned to stone back into their former form…only a lot smaller. If he had been able to do a magic transformation once, surely he could do it again. The only problem was that he had no wizard with whom he could discuss of this matter. Hell, he couldn't even contact the Man in Moon. He also doubted that magic would still work in this era. Wizards weren't part of the word anymore, or if they were, they were really well hidden. He knew that the first person who would have to change back was Sandy. He was the strongest of all of the guardians. With his dream sand, he could assure that the children of the world still believed in the guardians. Even if it wasn't the guardian of dream that was getting his powers back first, as long as there was someone who could check on the situations, who could watch over the children, who could still give hope to the other guardians that it was possible to get their powers back, Nick would be happy. For now, he just wished that a solution would come knocking at the door, and fast.

Peace and quiet was the perfect setting for a creative mind. At least, it was a good set-up for Aster who decided to the public park to sketch some of Mother Nature's beauty. He had discovered last spring that city workers were preparing the ground for the floral season coming up, and now that it was here, he wouldn't miss the chance to perfect his drawing skills. He passed most of his days out there sketching in the park without any noise other than the wind blowing through the leafs and the families playing not too far from his spot. This activity was relaxing him, and also made him forgot the dreadful situation that he couldn't get out of his mind. For now, he was doing perfectly fine. Usually he started working on his eggs just at the beginning of March since he was dealing with perishable. But it's already been four months since they transformed, and no news from MiM. The Aussie had to channel all of his inner taï chi to stay calm and cross his finger in hope that their grand leader would find a solution. So he was sitting in front of mixed flower plantations, his back to the sun to get as more light as possible on his sketchbook, drawing what he was most skilled at. Out of nowhere, a shadow came casting onto the work of the Australian who shot his head up to see a curious face starring at him.

"WAH!" screamed Aster who jumped a bit landing on his side took by surprise.

"Ha ha ha", laughed the intruder, "sorry to have disturbed you."

"Nah", replied the Aussie sitting back right looking at the blond girl that appeared from nowhere, "Ye just surprised me sheila. Whut are ye doin' here?"

"Well it is a public park if I recall", she laughed at Aster's remark, " I was walking back from my job when I noticed a familiar shape sitting among the flowers. It's nice to see you again", she said smiling with some of her long blond locks in front of her green eyes.

The tattooed teen recognized the girl from the school dance. He hadn't had any chances to speak with her again because of the exams. He had dance with her after this pretty girl had asked him nicely. After that, they just sat beside a window, talking about comics and anime, the conversation most of it animated by the girl. If he recalled, she told him that her name was Sophie. He hadn't seen her in any of his class. Maybe she was in a lower grade. For him, it didn't matter how old she was. He had fun with her and that was it.

"Yeah", he said to her with a smile, "Ah'm glad ta see ye too."

"Can I look?" she asked pointing the sketchbook.

"Hum…sure", answered Aster giving it to her, "but it's not finished yet so…"

She took the sketchbook and crouch down to his level. Her eyes were scanning the papers while Aster took note of what she was wearing. It's like if he had spilled all of his paint on her dress for it was a rainbow fashion. All those colours mixed up, her clothes just screamed artist or weirdo. The Australian found it special because he was used to strange and colourful things. She was wearing a green t-shirt with strange characters decorating it with a loosed red tie towered by a metal cross necklace. On her arms were countless numbers of bracelets and arm band of all kind, hands covered with fingerless striped gloves black and pink on her right hand and pink netted one. She had blue jeans shorts hold up by a rainbow-striped belt with all sorts of gizmos hanging to it like little characters, mini plushies and chains. White shoes covered by loosen high socks, each leg of a different colour. The final touches brought by flashy goggles on the top of her head and of course her trademark that was following her everywhere: her winged backpack. Aster was just amazed that she had no shame in walking in public with those. He admired her for that, not taking care of others comments on what she was really.

"Wow", she finally commented after going through all of his drawings, "you're so talented. I wish I could draw like this."

" Ye could", he replied taking his book back, "Ah've spent many years drawing, so it's normal that now ah'm a pro", avoiding saying the fact that he's been doing this for millenniums.

"Someday I'll be able to draw like you and publish my own manga", she told him both looking in each other emerald eyes.

"Then ah'll be tha first one ta read it", he said with a peaceful smile, "Ah like yar clothes. Got a lot of colours in tham."

"Thanks! It's called Decora", answered Sophie, happy to receive a positive comment on her style, "it's a Japanese fashion."

"It's suits ya well", said Aster, touching to the bracelets she had on her arms.

"You're so nice. It's really too bad that you're gay."

"Wait what?" said Aster in surprise, looking at her weirdly.

"Well yeah. Aren't you going out with this prankster in the same grade as you?"

"Wha- No!" he defended himself, "it was only an excuse for all tha girls of mah class ta leave me alone. Ah said without Jack's permission that he asked meh ta go with 'im at tha dance, but we're not a couple. We're just good friends sharing a house, that's all", he explained to the girl who was now understanding where all this was coming from.

"Oooooh! That's why everybody thinks you guys are gay", she replied laughing, "that's why school is a pain. People judge you with the first impression without know you. But I guess that it is just a reflection of what society really is."

Aster looked at her. She seemed to know what she was talking about, who wouldn't dress like that. He couldn't stop feeling sorry for her. It was too bad that people were getting the wrong impression of whom she was. She was the only girl aside from Ana that he liked to spend his time with. Even if she had a lot of things on her, he didn't see her as superficial like all those chix that were running after him. He considered her more like special.

"Where are you from?" she asked bringing him back to reality.

"What", he asked rhetorically snapping out of his mind, "Ah'm from Australia. Got 'ere not too long ago. Ah've came here with my…hum…correspondents. They said they wanted ta come study in Canada like me, so we're livin' in tha same house."

"You're so lucky", she said, sitting down in the grass next to Aster, tired of crouching, "I wish that someday I will do that too."

"Ya're from here?" asked Aster.

"No", she answered, "I'm from the United States. I used to live in a small town call Burgess with my older brother and my parents. We've moved here some years ago."

That last phrase froze Aster. His mind was slowly piecing up the puzzle. He was pretty sure that the Sophie he was talking to was the same that he spent Easter painting eggs with. But how was it possible? It was only months ago and she was no more than five years old at least. How could he be talking to the same one at least ten years older? He had to make sure he was thinking wrong. He wanted to think wrong!

"Hum…Sophie", he started a bit nervous, "Ah was wondering since ya're very special. Do ya…still believe in tha Easter Bunny?"

"Is that to make fun of me", she asked laughing a bit.

"No! Not at all! It's just 'cause ah'm curious."

"Ok then", she answered kindly, "Since it's you, I'll be honest. Yes I do. Because when I was young, I saw him. Everybody told me that it was just a dream and that I had a vivid imagination, but I don't believe it. He was just too real for it to just be dream. He was tall, all fluffy…and kind. Funny thing is you look a bit like him. Maybe that's why I like you so much", she finished wrapping her arms around her knees, putting her head on top of it with this childish smile that the former Easter Bunny recognized automatically.

His mind didn't know what to choose between being happy that she still believed in him, and the fact that the guardians had a serious problem. MiM hadn't been honest with them. Not only had they been transform into humans, but also travel through time, or something like this. He had to report this to the others and fast. Aster took all of his tools to put them back in his bag, trying to make an excuse on the why he had to run.

"Ah'm sorry", he said standing up a bit clumsy, "Ah need ta go. Ah forgot ah was tha one…hum…doin' tonight's diner."

"Oh", she answered standing up, "I'll walk with you then."

Aster couldn't say no. Even if he was in a hurry, it would be rude to shove her off and run away. So he accepted. On their way, they had the time to talk more about the Easter event that happened years ago, and how everybody else she knew had stop believing after the guardians never showed up ever again. The Australian, who mentally fought to stay calm and put, was controlling his anxiety learning this news. Was the problem this serious? Had the guardians just disappeared from peoples believes? That now, they were only myth and legends told to the kids to make them dream.

Arriving at his house, Aster bid farewell to the youngest.

"Well…see ya soon."

"Wait", she stopped him, "I would really like to see you again. Especially that now I know where you live, but can we exchange phone number?"

There again, Aster couldn't refuse. After all, she was his favourite believer that was still hoping to see him in his glorious form again. He couldn't refuse anything to the youngest, so they exchanged their phone numbers. Her giving him a hug before walking away, waving a goodbye. As soon as she was gone, Aster stormed inside the house to make jump Nick and Sandy that were in the living room.

"We've a problem mates!"

"We travelled through time?!" asked Ana shocked.

Everybody, except Pitch who was still missing like always, had come out from their hiding places to come learn the bad news, joining Aster in the living room.

"Ah think so", answered Aster trying to control his stress.

"And how did you came up with this thinking?" asked Nick.

"Ah…Ah met with Sophie", he finally said, "but she's at tha same school that we attend. She's at least fourteen."

Everyone was even more shock than before. Their faces were expressing the anguish that was gradually building up inside them. But they were all silent, like if they were afraid that they would disappear if someone opened his mouth. After some minutes, Nick was the one to break the ice:

"So we would have travel ten years later?"

"Or slept fo' ten years", replied the Australian, "Ah don't know what happened. Tha fact is that we're in much more trouble than we think we are."

"Manny hasn't told us everything I see", thought out loud the Russian, crossing his arms on his chest, "I wonder what happened for all these years."

"I'll tell you what happened", finally said Jack, looking at no one, his tone getting dangerously upset, "I've wasted 300 years forgotten by all, and finally I get some kids believing in me to just get it snatch away in a matter of weeks."

"Jack", began Nick trying to calm the winter mischief down, "we know that it is hard for you-"

"No you don't!" cut Jack, shooting up his head in the direction of Nick. "None of you understand! Why should I care now?"

"Jack", Ana said trying to do the same as the guardian of wonder, "We'll find a solution."

"No! You know what?" Jack said standing up, "from now on, I don't care about turning back into a spirit. Do what you want, I'm happy with what I have now!"

"Jack", Aster attempted his last try to get Jack to sit down and think rationally.

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" he answered, walking back to his lair in the basement.

The room just got silent as a violent shutting door sound was heard. The rest of the guardians just looked at each other, Sandy sighing at this awkward moment before tapping on Nick's leg. This last one looked at Sandy that mimicked him that he should maybe go talk to Jack to settle some things. The Russian nodded, getting up with a sigh.

"You try to find a way to contact Manny. We know that he has the power to travel through time, so he must have some answers about the side effect of his accident", began Nick giving the orders to the three remaining, "I'll go and have a talk with Jack."

They all nodded, and with that, Nick was off to try and knock some senses in Jack, or at least try to discover what this young one was really feeling inside.

Unfair? He could say that. Jack was really mad about this problem, but something inside was telling him that maybe it was better if he stayed human and live a normal life again. Back then he could have just died, it would have done the same thing. But no, MiM saw some potential in him and decided to bring him back into the winter spirit Jack Frost. To make him wonder for centuries around the globe, discovering all alone his powers and officially becoming the prankster that no one really paid attention to. The guardian of fun just thought of it as a waste of time, with a goal that in the end was just crushed by an accident caused by the same one that brought him back from the dead. Maybe he should have followed Pitch. After all, with his help, the Nightmare King would have succeeded and Jack would have believers, more than he could imagine…frighten believers. This is not what he would have wanted. All he wanted was to be notice, to have someone caring for him, to just touch him. A contact was all he ever wanted, someone to talk to, instead of speaking to a big shining rock in the sky that spoke to him only once to give him a minimal information. Everything was so messed up in his mind. Jack buried his face in his pillow, lying on his front on the bed trying to sort his ideas out. A knock on the door distracted him.

"For the last time, leave me alone!" shouted Jack.

The person behind the door ignored this last phrase as he made his way inside the room, closing the door behind him. There was a shift of weight on the mattress making Jack levelled up a bit. Jack automatically knew who it was. The only one that he considered like a father, the one that was the words of wisdom but always being the sympathetic jolly man that always knew what to tell the younger one.

"Jack", started Nick, "I guess it must be hard for you to have some much changes in your life. But you should try to see the good side of our situation."

"Oh I do", replied Jack, not lifting his head from the pillow, glaring in the nothingness, "I'm just…really angry that I have nothing to say about it. Like I never chose to become a spirit like you guys. I never chose to become a guardian, it was imposed to me and I thought that finally, if I did accept, I would finally stop being invisible to everyone. But then all of this…for nothing?"

"I don't know who you were in your past life Jack, but now, you have a second chance. With this opportunity, you will be able to make a choice whether you like being human or you prefer being a guardian."

Jack lifted his head, turning a bit toward his elder with a confused face.

"You really…let me choose?"

"Why not" answered the Russian putting his hands on his laps, "It is your life, not ours. We cannot impose you something that goes against your wills. This is why we are big family: we care for each others and hope that we are doing good decisions."

"I…I don't know what to say", said Jack sitting up legs crossed.

"All I want for you is to be happy with who you are", replied Nick putting his meaty hands on the shoulders of the youngest. "I want you to keep your centre whoever you decide to be."

"Now I feel a bit embarrassed", said Jack with a weak smile, looking somewhere else, "I've created so much fuss about me, when you guys are in much more trouble than I am."

"Do not worry about that", replied Nick giving a strong tap on Jack's back, "everything will be fine. I feel it…in my belly."

That last comment made Jack laugh. It was true that he still had a choice. Until he made a choice, the winter spirit would have to help his friends getting their powers back. So much children didn't get the presence of the guardians for a decade, there would have to work so hard to catch up with their late work. Jack guessed that the mini fairies, the yetis and the egg sentinels were able to do a minimum of work by themselves, but they all needed their bosses back. The only one that didn't have anybody to help him was Sandy. Kids must have been doing dreamless night since he was gone, but it didn't seem to bug the guardian of dream that much. As long as there were no nightmares to go against it, Sandy had nothing to worry. Either way, Jack had to be there for his friends, for his family. They needed him so much and he would fulfil this task.

Even if he didn't really remember his transformation, Pitch knew at least what were the Fearlings capable of. He knew that even in the day, they were lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strikes one's dreams. They were powerful creatures that could regain control of the weak mind of their leader when he was himself afraid. All summer he had tried to see those Fearlings again, going to the same spot he noticed their presence the first time. He always got negative responses. No one was there. Last time he had felt those Nightmares, it was in May at the dance when he was with…It suddenly stroke him. He knew she was too good to be true. He had felt a familiar feeling when he was spending his time with her. He had to know the truth.

It was about 9 pm. Pitch had contacted Seraphina to aske her to come and meet him at the same spot they spent their evening four months ago. Pitch had arrived much earlier to see if there would be some changes when she would arrive. As soon as he noticed a shape walking toward him, he could feel this sensation again. This feeling of someone watching you, he remembered all too well now. That would mean that this Seraphina with whom he had passed most of his time, was not the one she claimed to be. He stood up from the bench when she arrived all smiling in front of him.

"Were you nostalgic?" she asked like she didn't know anything.

"Don't play dumb with me", he answered coldly, "I know all too well what you are."

"What do you mean?" she asked again with the same tone, looking at him strangely.

"You perfectly know what I mean", he said a bit angrier, "You thought that I would not notice the evidences? That I would go on with this pathetic life without caring about getting my powers back?"

"Pitch", she said nervously, "you're beginning to scare me."

"That's ironic", he answered, "Since you're the one who should scare others. But I guess you will always be afraid of your master."

"What? My master?" asked the girl, seeming completely lost and confused.

"You thought that using fragments of my memory and knowing my tastes would make you the perfect disguise? It could have, but I know you too well for you to be a stranger to me Seraphina the Fearling."

There was a long pause. Only the warm wind of August was blowing into the leaves, making the moment more dramatic. Pitch was waiting for her to speak. He wanted to know if he was right. He did know he was right. The one thing he really wanted to be sure was that if this Fearling knew who it really was. The confused face of the girl slowly morphed into a crooked smile.

"I was wondering when you would notice", she said her green eyes turning to amber, "Although I'm a bit surprised you took so much time."

"My goal is to be unnoticed in this world for now", the former Nightmare King answered, "I don't want to make any strange accusation and get stuck at a mental hospital for that."

"Good plan", she answered crossing her arms still smirking.

"Now", commended the Boogeyman, "you will tell me how I get my powers back."

"Are you serious?" said the strange girl before laughing for a good moment, "you think that you're in position to give me orders? If you didn't notice Pitch, it's us that controlled you. We don't have any master. We're an infinite power that will never fall. You're just the vessel. A weak vessel that think he has all of the power. But we are the real masterminds behind this."

"How dare you!" shouted Pitch angrily, "I am your king!"

"Not anymore", replied the want be Seraphina, "You're not enough weak to our taste. We are searching for another user."

"So why were you sticking with me all this time?" asked Pitch very angry, "to mock me?!"

"A bit", she answered, "but it is not our main goal. We know that the other guardians are here. This new life must have chocked them to the point that they have lost hope in getting back to their former selves. It's the perfect moment to strike."

"NO!" said Pitch with an authoritarian tone, "YOU ARE MINE TO CONTROL! I AM THE BOOGEYMAN! YOUR MASTER! YOUR KING!"

"Not anymore!" she answered, " It will be one of your other new friends. We wish you to spend a good life."

Pitch wanted to grab her, but she disappeared into nothingness by melting into strings of black sand, fleeing into the dark woods. This was worse than he ever imagined. He could not control his power anymore, and above all, it didn't want to be control by him. This was not good. He had no choice now. For his sake, he had to talk to the guardians before it was too late.

At the beginning of the writing, it was suppose to turn out into a beach chapter. But of course while writing, I got carried away.

WARNING! SPOILERS ALERT!

So what is that thing about time travel you may ask? After finishing the second volume of "Guardians of Childhood", it popped in my head that the Lunar Lamas have the power to travel through time (along with Bunnymund). So it came to my mind that their problem could be much worse than they ever thought and that they had to find a solution quickly. And I wanted to make Sophie appear in the story since I love this kid. So it was like this that my idea is born, and that I maybe find the solution to how they would go back to their former selves. So I can guaranty you that in not too much chapters, there will be some action and more magic.

END OF SPOILERS!

I'm really happy on how it's turning out, and most of all of the changes I brought. It would have scrapped my story and I'm happy some of you made me notice it. Only next time, I would like more constructive comment instead of just "you will NOT make bunny and jack hook up. It'll ruin the story" or "Um…a little creep". Because I don't know what you want me to change really, and I appreciate when someone gives me a good critic instead of something that look more like an order than an advise. I'm opened to suggestion, but try to be clear and nice when you tell me please.

Thank you for still reading my story. I enjoy your comments.

PS: For those who wanted a Jack X Bunny story, I'm thinking of a new story with hints of this shipping. Stay tune.