So, guess who just lost four teeth and a little wisdom! That's right, me! So, I'm kinda on a couple pain pills right now, so...
yeah.
Also, I'm going on vacation next week. Good news, long car trips= tons of time to write. Bad news, at the end of it we'll be camping, so limited wifi.
So, I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but it will definitely be before next monday!
Enjoy!
Neal found Jack exactly where he thought the teen would be, at the center of Nolan's children park. He and Mozzie had both seen the boy there before, playing with the children or just watching. It seemed like the closest thing to a home he had. Emotionally at least. Neal sent a quick text to Mozzie and Peter as he neared, writing it as soon as he identified the shock of white hair above the grey coat. He smiled softly as he eyed the area surrounding the park, the only place in town without small mounds of snow lining the sidewalks. Of course, that had less to do with the plows and crowds, and much more to do with the series of mounds and piles Jack was forming all over the park, taking from the embankments so that there was more snow around the park to make the snowballs he formed along each small hill.
"What's all this?" Neal asked as he came up beside the boy, forming a snowball himself.
"Oh, you know, I'm just messing up the park with my snowball fight arena." He said with a wry smile, a sarcastic smile on his face blocking out any true emotion.
Neal smiled softly as he knelt to pack another ball of the icy powder. "Well, I hear that some people like a little chaos, kids especially. It makes things a more exciting."
Jack jerked his head up in surprise for a second before smiling and chuckled softly as he shaped the wall of the mound a little more firmly. "I don't know why you followed me, but if it was to drag me back to that courtroom it isn't happening, sorry."
"Nah. I mostly came to make sure you didn't get a stomach ache from that candy. Anything a jerk like that makes has to be pretty sour."
Jack looked up in surprise, eyeing the man uncertainly for a moment before a grin suddenly stole across his face. "Thanks."
"You know," Neal began hesitantly, thinking back on the eggs that decorated the chocolate shop, some incredibly intricate and artistic. "He seemed to like spring a lot, and he has some pretty nice artistic skills. Seemed to know you pretty well too, better than from just that one story. It makes me wonder if-"
Neal was interrupted as Jack burst into peals of raucous laughter. "Oh man!" He managed to get out between laughs. "You- you really think he is a- oh man!"
The CI looked to the boy, surprised by the laughter. Even if he was wrong, he didn't think it was that funny. Jack, seeing his confusion, stifled his giggles somewhat. "No, you don't understand-" He managed to say before laughing again. "His- his name is E. Aster Bunnymund! E. Aster! It spells Easter! He's literally Easter Bunnymund. And- and he works in a candy shop, and- oh man, you're right it's too perfect!" He laughed again, though the giggles were becoming more subdued. He let out one final sigh before leaning against his snowy creation for breath. "Seriously though, could you really see a guy like that stealing and committing crimes all to help children everywhere?" His last words sounded with a high pitch, mocking voice as he rolled his eyes. The boy eyed the man warily, hoping that the bluff paid off. Technically he never actually said that Bunnymund wasn't a Guardian. Hopefully Neal wouldn't notice.
"I suppose not." The man said, eyeing Jack as he remembered the man's open hostility. After all, Jack was still just a kid himself, and one in a pretty precarious situation. Neal liked to think that the vigilantes would have more concern for the boy than that. Though in all honesty he couldn't be sure. Jack had asked to keep his name out of any documents after all. "Speaking of, do you think the Guardians know we're onto them yet?"
"Oh yeah. They're all in a tizzy about it. I'd start plugging up my chimney if I were you. Luckily, I'm still below their radar." Well, probably not anymore.
Neal nodded, brushing numb hands against his slacks. "I've also come to bring a message."
"Oh?"
"Elizabeth says you're welcome to come over any time."
"Really?" Jack asked, surprised.
"Yep. She had fun the other night. We all did."
Jack eyed him for a moment, almost as though searching his eyes for deceit. Finally he nodded. "Sounds good." Suddenly he looked to his watch and jumped to his feet, making his way to a bench at the side of the park, Neal following behind.
The conman continued to watch the boy. "We do need a better way to contact you though. I'm not going to draw a snowflake every time I want to ask about a dinner party."
Jack chuckled softly, plopping himself down onto the bench. "You can find me here almost every day. Same time, same place."
Neal looked down to his watch. 3:36. "Why do you-" The man's question broke off as a squeal sounded behind him, preceding a large group of children rushing the park after a hard day at school, all mobbing each other for the choice hills and covers, screaming and squealing as snowballs started to fly. Neal looked down to a grinning Jack and sat down next to the boy. They were still and silent as they sat, watching the children take in the fruits of their labor. After a while Jack poked him in the arm and gestured to where a little girl sat shyly playing on her own. He scooped down and began to ball the snow. All it took was one well aimed toss and the girl was in the thrall as well, crying out childish revenge on the mysterious thrower.
Neal chuckled softly as he watched, but only said one thing the entire time they sat. "This place doesn't look messed up to me." Jack didn't reply, but he relaxed into his seat, letting go of a tension Neal didn't know he held onto. Finally Neal knew that he had to get back to the office before questions started flying. He stood, looking at the boy who still sat curled around himself on the bench. "That message from Elizabeth? I just want you to know it comes from me too. Any time you're in the neighborhood and need anything, food, a warm room, just someone to talk to… well, just know that my terrace doors are always unlocked."
"…thanks."
Bunnymund was practically sparking with irritation and impatience as he paced along the great room, oblivious to the nervous looks one of Tooth's girls repeatedly shot at him. North watched the man with nervous, wary eyes. "Calm down Bunny! They will be here soon, it is best to wait."
The man growled but stopped his pacing, tapping his foot in nervous energy anyway. North sighed, feeling relieved when Sandy finally came into the room, all smiles and yawns as usual. Tooth was far behind, practically flying into the room on the man's heels.
"Finally." The man said, shooting right to the chase. "Jack Frost sold us out to the Feds."
Gasps filled the room, both from the guardians and their workers who littered the great room. In the midst of the surprise, no one noticed that one girl winced, looking pained rather than shocked at the revelation.
"Are you sure, Bunny?" Tooth asked, her purple eyes wide.
The man nodded vehemently. "'e and that Burke fellow came into my shop, they were really chummy too. Another guy was with 'em. Coulda been Cafferey."
The woman gasped. "Did they try to arrest you?"
That made the man pause. "Nah, didn't seem to know who I am."
"None of the information the FBI has includes names." A young tooth spoke up. Baby didn't know if she wanted to hug or kill her sister. "They don't know who we are."
North began nodding speculatively. "It makes sense. Jack is the only one who knows that much about us. The only one we did not ask."
"What do we do now?" Tooth asked, her eyes wide and worried. For a moment there was silence, none sure what they should do about the revelation. When they had first discovered the skinny boy poking around their headquarters, at first they had planned to send him off with a scolding and a light warning, but when they discovered exactly how much he knew, they knew they couldn't let him go so easily. He was forced away with a nearly unending string of outrageous threats that both parties knew would neither be acted upon, and the boy swore up and down that he could keep their secret. Jack had seemed very earnest at the time and had indeed kept quiet for nearly three years, but the Guardians couldn't say that they were completely surprised that he had a price.
But now their secret was out and Jack was still roaming the streets. No one was really sure what to do, they were thieves and hackers not kidnappers and murderers, but they knew something had to be done, lest Jack's price be matched by someone worse.
Bunnymund growled. "We never shoulda let him go in the first place."
"What would you have us do? Keep him prisoner?"
"We only have two options left now and that's one of them. I ain't too keen on the other option."
Silence sounded for a moment before the room erupted into noise, each guardian, yeti, elf, sentential, and tooth calling out for attention and offering other plans, other methods of keeping Jack quiet without actually hurting the boy. They were guardians after all, they couldn't hurt a kid, especially one such as Jack who had done no wrong greater than they themselves had been considering. In the midst of the noise, only the short, mute Sandman noticed when a cell phone sitting on a near-pedestal at the base of the computer started to light up and buzz. The phone was ever plugged in and charging, always ready and waiting for a text or call from the man who had sent it to them. The man that had called them all together. The Man in the Moon.
The Sandman waddled over, gripping the screen with wide eyes as he saw the picture on the screen, Manny had many different phones he used to tell the Guardians different things, but this was the most rare. In fact, the light blue crystal emblazoned onto a 'G' had only ever been on the screen four times before. Once for Sandy, once for North, once for Tooth, and once for Bunnymund. The Man in the Moon was calling for another guardian.
Sandy whirled to the group, his eyes wide and an expression of pure amazement and joy on his face, but no one noticed. The Guardians and their helpers were all yelling and arguing to one another, not a single one paying any mind to the mute man attempting to get their attention. Finally the blonde sighed, reaching into his satchel to pull out the Fog Horn that always sat inside.
"EEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
All other sounds stopped as the horn ripped through the air, mouths immediately snapping shut as people grimaced and held their hand over their ears. As soon as the blast of sound stopped all eyes were drawn to the squat man, watching as he held up the phone with a disapproving pout on his face. All eyes widened as they saw the phone.
"Ah!" North exclaimed. "Is Man in the Moon! Sandy, why didn't you say something." The short blonde glowered as the bearded man looked to the phone. "He will know what to do." His grin only widened when he saw the ID picture on the screen. "A new Guardian! Oh good. Manny will find someone to solve Jack problem."
Baby Tooth felt a lead weight fall into her stomach, a sinking suspicion in her mind. There was no way. Manny wouldn't, would he?
The group crowded around as the man flipped up the old-fashioned flip phone sent to them years ago when they style was still new. Silence rang as the group read and processed the four words on the screen, Baby Tooth's horrible suspicion confirmed.
JACK FROST: FBI CONSULTANT
There was a moment of tense silence before one of the yetis mumbled. "Well, I guess that could work."
"It could work?" Bunnymund shouted, his voice sarcastic, flabbergasted, and irate all at once. "Did you forget who we are? Why we do what we do? And you think he could work? Jack Frost! He doesn't care about children! All he does is pick pockets, hand out tips to the gangs, and pull pranks! All right? He's an irresponsible, selfish-"
"Guardian." Santa interjected musingly and Baby Tooth almost wanted to groan aloud. This wasn't happening. It just wasn't. There was no way, Jack would never agree with this.
"Jack Frost is many things, but he is not a Guardian!"
Jack grinned as he packed the snow just one more time on the bump he'd made at the bottom of the large hill. It had snowed all night long, a light, puffy snow, and since he had decided to stay away from the park at any time of day other than when he told Neal he'd be there, the sledding hill was the place to be. Of course, nobody was there yet. Jack had found the little gem just the night before, lurking through town in attempt to find a place to spend the chilly night away from any prying Guardian eyes. He hadn't really found anything he liked, and actually ended up sneaking into Neal's place. Not that the man would know. Jack had snuck in well after the man had fallen asleep and left just as he was stirring.
The hill was a lucky find though, and he intended to use it. He sat back on his heels with a content huff, surveying the awesome obstacle course he had made into the four inch high powder. He climbed back up the incline and sat back on his new sled, a grin lighting up his face. If this worked, it would be the most amazing ride of his life. If not, he would be walking away with at least two broken limbs. He set off at a run and flopped belly down onto the metal and wood. With a mighty whoop he flew through the course, coasting over huge bumps and nearly falling out of the sled as it slid sideways. Finally the ride ended, Jack crashing into a soft, powdery pile of snow with a final burst of air.
Jack pulled himself out of the pile with a breathless laugh. Perfect, now that's what he called fun. He pulled up the string of the sled and began lugging it to the park. The teen couldn't help but smile when he saw his favorite group using his mounds from the night before to have another snowball right. He quickly tied a letter onto the rope handle of the sleigh, and with a gentle push slid it until it brushed against Jamie's leg.
"Huh?" The boy mumbled as he glanced for the sleds origin. His gaze ghosted over Jack as though he were a simple ornament in the park, like a bench or a tree. Slowly the boy looked to the paper, eyes travelling over the map and direction. His friends soon crowded around, all curious to see the mysterious note. Jack watched as the group debated following the map, Cupcake and the twins all for it, while Pippa and Monty thought it was too suspicious, Jamie undecided. Jack moved to wait near his set up, knowing that despite the debate, the children would arrive any minute.
Sure enough it wasn't long before he heard their cheery voices sounding behind him, Monty still advising against it but Pippa and Jamie both sounding significantly more excited. He grinned as he leaned back on his perch against a nearby wall, listening to the gasps of the children as they came upon the scene Jack had spent all morning and half the afternoon on. All clamored to go first, eager to try out the new game. However, Jamie, who still had the sled, was the one voted to go first. The boy let out a loud whoop as he started down, a shrill shriek of excitement slipping loose as he went over the first bump, getting almost twice as much air as Jack had ever managed. The group yelled and cheered as the boy flew down the course, taking the twist, turns, and bumps like a pro. Finally with a yelp the boy flew through the air, losing his grip on the sled as he landed face first into Jack's smooth landing fluff. The six remaining children cheered and charged down the hill, pulling their friend from the drift. Jamie was grinning like a madman as he was pulled out.
"That was amazing!" He crowed, eyes wild. "Look, I even lost a tooth."
"No way!"
"Sweet cash!"
"Tooth Fairy'll come tonight."
Jack nearly snarled as the loss of one measly tooth distracted from the fun he had spent hours creating, his anger growing as the kids began rushing off to show off the tooth to the boy's parents.
"What does it take to be noticed around here?" Jack mumbled, but of course nobody answered. No one ever did. However, as he passed, Jack could almost swear Jamie looked back to him questioningly, before the boy met up with his friends to discuss the possibility of the Tooth Fairy helping him find a yeti.
Jack shrugged, trying to brush of his disappointment as he thumbed through the cash in his wallet, trying to decide if he had enough money to buy another sleigh to give to one of the other groups in the park, but he knew few to none of them were adventurous enough to follow a mysterious map across the city. He began making his way downtown, yawning as he tried to decide where to sleep that night. He began making his way to a cheap hotel, planning to get a place warm, dry, and comfortable, but as he looked up he saw the flash of a white beard laying over tattoos and promptly turned around, disappearing into the crowd as was his specialty. Well, seemed that this part of town was a no go. He wouldn't risk going within twenty feet to Baby Tooth at the moment, let alone any of the others. Looked like he'd have to find a new place to rest his head for the night. Probably be best not to stay in one place multiple nights either just in case.
He groaned. If he had though it through at all, he never would have agreed to Baby Tooth's plan. A wry snuck up Jack's lips as he scoffed at his own thoughts. Yeah right, he would have said yes anyways.
