At exactly nine twenty-three and forty-eight seconds the small table on the veranda was set for tea. It was set with a single cup of earl gray tea and a plate of scones set upon fine winter white china. Lady Autumn took her place at this table at nine twenty-five on the dot and then took five seconds to adjust her flowing gown before taking up her cup. This was her normal routine down to second. Timing was such an important thing to her nothing could ever be out of place and her many servants sought to keep it on track. Somehow Lady Autumn had a supernatural connection with time none other the others could understand, but perhaps it was one of the many curiosities that came with being older than time itself.
No one knew exactly how old Lady Autumn was, only that of the fall spirits she was the oldest. Somewhere along the line she had taken to a Victorian taste that was reflected in her elaborate gowns and in everything within her stately manor. If there was a time that the style had differed from this mold none of the spirits could recall. Yet they dare not ask should the they offend her and the kindness she bestowed upon them be revoked.
Always a generous soul Lady Autumn kept her house open to all of the lesser Autumn spirits. Fall was such a complex season and with some many to tend to it each spirit often had only a small area they would over see. Unfortunately this meant when winter came the spirits would find themselves homeless. Whenever Lady Autumn thought about it she would sigh and recall her days as a gypsy. Though she had never met him, The Lady envied the winter spirit and his solitude.
Upon finishing her tea and scones a mouse of a girl came to collect her plate. She paused as she saw The Lady staring out the window at the forest beyond. The trees were forever locked in a state of age. If their leaves fell new ones would grow back with a new glossy fall color. Lady Autumn could not recall what a green tree looked like or felt a breeze that did not carry the drought causing heat of autumn's first week.
"My Lady, is something wrong." The little brunette asked.
"Has Gray Wolf returned to us yet?" She inquired.
"No My Lady."
"And what of my sister?"
"No..." She said shaking fearfully "Lady Fox has yet to return."
Fox had not set foot in the manor of many years now. The mere mention of the woman's name caused everyone's blood to run cold. Compare to her sister Fox was a vile woman and one who enjoyed nothing more than tormenting others. If she were to fall off the face of the earth the spirits would only worry what sort of havoc she could cause from above their heads.
"Would you like one of us to call Wolf home?" The girl asked directing the conversation away from the devious twin.
"No, I am sure he is with my sister."
The girl's heart froze. None of the other spirits were very close to Wolf, but still he was one of them. Lady Fox had centuries of trickery under her belt so there was no telling what could become of him. There was still many rumors that drifted around the manor about the last spirit she came close to and none of them were pleasant.
"I have to go out today. I require my cloak and staff to be ready at ten sixteen and no later."
"But My Lady…" The girl gasped. "You haven't left the manor in years."
"Decades actually." Lady Autumn corrected. "Make sure you pack my extra cloak as well. No doubt my sister is out there catching a chill."
The girl wanted to protest, but it was not her place to argue the point. If she knew her lady there was only one idea running through her head and she would see that once carried out it would avoid any twist and turn possible. The girl bowed her head.
"Of course My Lady."
Wolf watched as groups of disappointed children made their way to school. They seemed disappointed that all the snow was gone. Wolf did not understand it. Why would they want to play out in the cold? Why risk catching an illness just to hurl a ball of snow at each other? Or form it into strange shapes? Winter was represent death, harsh days and hard work. How could it bring them so much joy that now they looked as if they would cry.
Wolf recognized the little boy from the woods. He ran and inserted himself into the group. Wolf could only catch bits and pieces of their conversation, but he was assuring the others that it would snow soon.
We have to believe. Jack said he would bring a big snow day as soon as he came back.
They all smiled as if their hopes were lifted. Wolf could simply not understand it. He brushed of the confusion and turned away. The children would be content again when the snow returned in later months. After all they desired was to evade days they were meant to be inside learning.
Wolf felt a cold wind at his back and let out a beastly growl. He didn't even have to turn around. The chilled scent was so strong there was no need to look.
"I gave you another day."
"I don't need it." Jack returned trying not to lean on his staff. "Not when Fox is out there planning who knows what."
"Fox is out melting the snow. Preparing the land so that we may remain." Wolf remarked.
"Do you really believe that trash she's feeding you?"
"Her words are true, unlike the lies you feed to those children."
"I have never lied to them." Jack hissed.
"Really? You tell them that your winter is a thing of beauty. Convince them the cold is a thing to be loved." Wolf snarled back. "Did you tell them how it also kills?"
"Shut up…" Jack said softly.
"How ice freezes animals and men?" Wolf continued.
"Shut up." Jack said louder.
"How many people have frozen to death in your cold Frost?"
"Shut up!" Jack screamed.
Jack shot at Wolf with a bolt of ice. Wolf rolled out of the way just in time. A thick layer of ice had formed over the side of the chimney that Wolf had leaned again. The spot crack and creaked as it spread and tighten against the stone. Wolf only laughed as Jack looked at his reflection in horror. We was angry again. Nothing good ever came when he was angry.
For seasonal spirit moods can intertwine with the elements. Rage was not just bad but it could be deadly. Over head the clouds had darkened. Jack took several breath helping it to subside. Wolf laughed at him.
"Perhaps we should take this away from the homes. Before your precious children are speared with ice shards."
Wolf didn't even wait for Jack to give a response. He leapt over Jack changing to a wolf and then jumped from roof top to roof top heading towards the woods. Jack pushed his anxiety to the edge of his mind. This would end here and now.
No more running. No more of the guerrilla warfare they had done for the past five decades. By the time he was done Wolf would not never to come near Burgess again, never to come near the Guardians again. No matter how much pain Jack was in he was going to settle the score before the equinox. It was the only way that he could win. The only way that everyone could survive.
"Do you smell anything yet Bunny?" Tooth asked impatiently.
"I'm not a blood hound." Bunny snapped. "It's going to take time for me to pick up a scent."
Bunny didn't mean to be so harsh. However they had been searching for hours and the whole time Bunny was forced to take lead with no real idea where he was going. It was very frustrating.
"Calm down, we will find something." North said to both of them.
Bunny's ear pricked up as a familiar scent entered his nose. He twisted he head around trying to find the source.
"Wait dead leaves and, ugh dog stink." Bunny said disgusted. "Same as at the Tooth Palace."
"Which way?" Tooth said fluttering about.
Bunny sniffed the air trying to find the source. As he realized how close it was his ears lowered and his eyes narrowed on a brush. When it rustled Sandy drew his whips and like wise North his swords. North automatically looked to his left expecting to see Jack with his staff in a fighting stance. He was dishearten when he remembered the young guardian was not here to face this threat. Despite this the rustling got louder and North was pulled back to the situation at hand.
The Guardians were slightly disappointed when a small wolf and young fox tumbled out of the bush. North gave hearty laugh seeing the two creatures play.
"Just little cubs." He snorted.
North grabbed both creatures by the backs of the neck and pulled them away from each other. Unable to do anything the little creatures started to whimper.
"Aw they're so cute." Tooth cooed.
"Just a couple of fuzzy ankle biters. Throw 'em away and lets get back to searching." Bunny said bitterly.
The tiny animals stopped crying and their gazed shifted to the giant rabbit. They weren't big enough to eat him all by themselves, but they would still like a taste. A wind wrapped the creatures and suddenly they disappeared only reappear on the ground. The guardians all moved back.
"Those aren't normal babies." Tooth pointed out.
Sandy shook his head in agreement as the two glared at Bunny licking their lips. The moment of peace was then cut as the tiny creatures lunged at Bunnymund's ankle. Bunny immediately jumped into North's arms terrified. Out of instinct Sandy lashed out as the little wolf jumped at them. His whip wrapped him and smashed him into the ground. The body sank before turning into a pile of leaves. The fox whimpered fearing the same fate. It took off charging into the woods.
"After it!" Tooth said chasing after the cub.
The fox scampered off into the woods with the four Guardians following close behind. From their position they could not see the fox smile as it ran. As it neared a clearing the fox suddenly vanished. Tooth slid to a halt.
"Where…" Tooth began.
"Tooth!"
All the Guardian's eye grew as a human sized tornado was heading toward them. Out of nowhere Jack appeared it's path. He tried to dismiss the force with a bolt of frost and was caught by the arm. A figure appeared and spun, hurling Jack into a tree. The all gasped and ran to Jack's aid. As they huddle around the motionless spirit a tall boy with red skin and war paint covering his skin stared them down. Several wolves appeared at his side. His eye remained fixated on Jack as he snarled at them.
"Move…Now."