I don not own the characters or story of Rise of the Guardians or The Guardians of Childhood. They belong to William Joyce and Dream Works.
The trip was uneventful, but all the Guardians arrived dizzy and disoriented.
"The first time you shimmer travel can cause these symptoms. I apologies but it was the only way to get you into our Domain." Mysheara said to her for wobbling guests.
Sandy though dizzy signed a thumb up with one hand, and an OK sign with the other.
"The Den is this way." The wolfs walked forward and the Guardians followed. It didn't take long, soon they found themselves surrounded by the spirit wolfs. All of the protectors of nature's balance were laying stretched out on the ground or rocky ledges. They were relaxed and didn't show any aggression, not even getting up as the Guardians walked by, having received Mysheara's howled message. But all of their eyes followed the Big Four's advance towards the Den entrance.
The group stopped in front of the Den, a rock cave in the side of a small hill, the entrance a small sheltered opening. It sported a naturally canopy made from two flat boulders leaning against each other. Unless you looked close (and if the area around it was vacant) it disappeared into the hill it was housed in, adding extra protection with natural camouflage.
"Jack may still be resting, please make yourselves comfortable, I'll bring him out as soon as is possible." With that Mysheara went inside.
The Guardians sat on the ground to wait, striking up conversations with the wolfs. Except for Bunny who looked like a deer caught in the head lights or a cornered animal with no way out.
Jack was already awake when Mysheara entered the Den. She found him and Shanook tussling about. Mysheara watched them with a smile.
Jack had taken to play fighting, a favorite game of young wolfs that taught and practiced the skills they needed for their adult lives, as soon as Shanook was old enough to begin doing so. If her cub's litter mates were around he would have played with them, and his older brothers and sisters had been to strong and ruff for his level of the game. But Jack had filled the missing role in the young cub's life. Through there play the winter spirit and spirit wolf had bonded. They'd learned each others strengths, weaknesses, fighting, and hunting styles. Now the two were nearly inseparable. So the fact that Jack would be leaving brought a great sadness to Mysheara.
A couple of days to spread winter was one thing, how would the two react to being separated for however long Jack was needed for this battle. Would Shanook fall into depression worrying about his brother and feeling like he couldn't help him when he should? And what about after that? Jack would be a Guardian, a worrier of The Moon, vowed to protect the world's children. He may never, or at best only for only a little while, live with the Pack again. She knew that Jack would be happy with the job but would he be alright without his family, his brother? Mysheara sent a silent wish that somehow, someway the two could be together again.
When they had tuckered themselves out, Mysheara came to give them both loving licks.
"Hello Mother!" Jack greeted.
Shanook raised his head after her cleaning. "How did the meeting go?"
"Well, Jack The Moon wishes you to help the Guardians. Pitch Black has returned and The Moon believes you can help stop him." Mysheara made her voice soled and proud hiding her earlier unease for Jack's sake.
"ME! The Moon, but…he never told me…what good could I do?" Jack was obviously nervous and unsure. He griped his staff and shuffled his feet.
"Only time will tell. You have to believe in yourself, like we believe in you, my son!"
"You can do it Jack!" Shanook encouraged.
Taking a deep breath Jack stood starter, taking on a more confident pose. "OK, what happens now?"
"The Guardians are waiting outside." Mysheara, Jack, and Shanook walked out of the Den together.
When they emerged North, Tooth, and Sandy were having pleasant conversation with the pack members. While Bunny looked ready to bolt.
"Poor Kangaroo!" Jack whispered to Shanook who smirked. Not only was Jack OK around his "attacker" but he was cracking jokes. His brother was just fine.
Noticing them North stood. "Jack, it is good to see you! I vish to apologize, the sack vas my idea. I had meant it to be fun, but vent array. I'm deeply sorry!"
"Don't worry about it" Jack said.
The other Guardians stood and took Jack in for the first time. Bunny's description of his fur cape with eared hood didn't do the outfit justice.
"He really dose look like a wolf!" , exclaimed Tooth.
""Vell, let me make introductions. Here is The Tooth Fairy—"North was interrupted by an excited Tooth.
"Hello Jack, I've heard a lot about you."
"And here is Sandy."
Sandy smiled and waved. Then created an image of a billowing cape and gave the hand sign for nice."
"Thanks." Jack replied to the Guardian of Dreams praise.
"And you've meet Bunny."
Bunny still looked like he wanted to run, eyeing the wolf, watching for the slightest movement.
"So now that we all know each other, what's next?" Jack asked
"Now ve go to Pole. There Ve'll have ceremony to swear you in as Guardian, make attack plans—"
"Wait GUARDIAN!?"
"Yes last night The Man in Moon choose you." Tooth explained.
"I thought he just wanted my help! I'm no Guardian; I can't be seen or even touched by humans." Jack bowed his head sadly. "Not to mention I cause trouble and get scared way too easily."
Shanook put his head against Jack's hand.
"That no problem, Ve'll fix!" North tried to wave off Jack's concerns.
"Sorry, but I don't think you can. I've been trying for three hundred years. But even if I'm not a Guardian, I can still help." Jack said perking himself up.
Sandy nodded, creating images of Jack, The guardian symbol and the hand sign for later. Then a picture of Pitch and an exclamation point.
"Your right Sandy lets head to the Pole. We can plan our next move." Tooth said.
"Right!" North took a Snow Globe from his pocket. "Mysheara, may I open portal?" He asked the Pack leader.
"Yes, you have my promotion."
The wolfs gathered around Jack, wishing him luck and giving him last minute nuzzles and licks. As the portal opened Jack started towards it.
Right before he entered, Shanook ran out of the group of watching wolfs. "Jack wait!"
Jack stopped to look at his brother.
"Mother, may I go with them. I know I was not chosen, and I know that this will be a battle not a game. But I wish to be by jack's side!" Shanook looked at his Mother and Pack leader with determination, and a small amount of pleading in his eyes.
Mysheara let out a silent breath of relief. Her earlier wish seeming to have been answered but it wasn't a sure thing yet. Showing none of her inner feelings she said, "I have no objections, but it is not my decision alone."
We would be happy to have you along!" Tooth said, knowing that a comforting presence among strangers would help boost Jack's confidence.
"Wait! WHAT!?" exclaimed Bunny.
Ignoring The Guardian of Hope, Shanook happily ran to Jack's side. Bunny was so shocked he barely noticed being grabbed by North and pulled through the portal. After they vanished Tooth and Sandy followed. Jack and Shanook were the last and the swirling lights, that were North's portals, went out as it closed.
Mysheara looked at The Moon. She didn't speak or howl she wanted this to be a privet message. Though she was happy that her sons were together, she was still a mother.
"Please watch over them", she thought. "I know they are strong but I still worry!"
The Moon flashed once as a reply.
"Thank you!"