So here's the last chapter. Thank you for all those readers who stood by me to the end, I know it was hard with that long hiatus. For my new readers, thank you for clicking on the story too. Your reviews/follows/favorites are always appreciated.

I do not own Rise of the Guardians.


Chapter 11

In an effort to keep Pitch from terrorizing the world once more, the Guardians agreed to keep the Boogeyman locked away in the cage of his own design. Far underground, impervious to any physical force, the only way to escape would be to use North's magic portal ornaments but the jolly man was keeping those under lock and key. It looked as if Pitch was defeated for good.

Furious, he screamed from his prison.

Being unable to die of old age or sickness, he would be trapped there for an eternity. He had already lost his mind in the final battle, his eyes flashing wildly like a predatory animal. He babbled excessively about vengeance and the Dark Ages, he shook the bars of the cage until they rattled but no Guardian paid him any mind. After all, Pitch Black was a threat to them no longer.

"We should bring her back to the Tooth Palace," Bunny suggested as they walked towards the waiting sled. "Tooth's final resting place should be her home. It would be the best place for her."

Sandy frowned and shoved him roughly while they were walking.

"Hey! What was that for?" Bunny protested loudly but Sandy only frowned and put his finger to his lips. He gave a long suffering look to North who gave his friends a small, sad smile. "This is not the time or place Bunny. We still have to get these kids home…and it feels much too soon."

North nodded towards the young girl in his hands. Rosie was so tiny compared to large Guardian but she was in the best care. Jack too was holding someone close. Tooth was balanced in his arms bridal style and he was walking so slowly, it looked as if he were afraid he might drop her.

Minutes went by but he had a strange look in his eye. Tears had stopped falling and now he looked as if there was a brief bit of hope. "Guys…I don't think that Tooth and Rosie are dead."

"Wait…what?" Bunny asked, confused. "Of course they are dead! Tooth and Rosie have not moved since we defeated Pitch. The spell should have worn off by now but it hasn't. I know how upset you are, heck we all are upset…but being in denial won't help. We need to be realistic."

Jack Frost grinned manically. "But that's the thing! If Tooth was dead, then they wouldn't still be breathing! Both Tooth and Rosie have been breathing, it's faint but I know their chests moved a little. Plus Baby Tooth and the others fairies are connected to Tooth. If she was dead, then they would be dead too but here they are. I think we have a chance; we just have to figure out how to wake them up. Sleeping is not death, it just looks like it. We still have a chance to save them."

True to his words, the flocks of tiny fairies were crowding around Jack and their queen. They looked anxious and worried but they were still alive. North raised an eyebrow and Sandy grinned. Bunny however looked skeptical. "So what do you suggest we do next?" He inquired.

Jack was about to say something but stopped. A bit of a blue tinge had covered his cheeks and he fiddled uncomfortably with his staff. That was when the Guardians noticed Jaime following behind them with a pleased smile on his face. Bunny, North and Sandy stared at the small boy.

"Jaime, why aren't you with the others?" North asked patiently. "We will be bringing you home soon and we need everybody to be in the sled. Your friends and your little sister need you now."

Jaime beamed happily at Jack. "A little over a year ago I was going through a hard time. For a moment I doubted that you guys were real, that Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, the Sandman, the Toothfairy and Jack Frost were all just make-believe. You know…kid stuff! But it was Jack Frost who helped me believe in these stories and so I thought I would help him believe too."

Bunny looked from Jack to Jaime, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Am I missing something here? Help Jack believe in…what? Us? Does he not believe in us? That doesn't make sense!"

Realizing where this was going, Jack was now getting panicky. He shook his head frantically but the little boy did not seem to notice. "Of course it does!" Jaime continued excitedly. "Don't you see? Tooth is a sleeping beauty, just like in the fairytales! I thought you five were just stories and you were real. So what about true love's kiss? That always seemed to work in all the movies!"

Jack Frost winced in embarrassment. "And…he said it." He muttered under his breath.

North was looking thoughtful but Bunny couldn't help but laugh at Jack's embarrassment. Jack looked to the ground, not meeting his friends' surprised looks. "So that's why frostbite over there is turning all blue in the face!" The rabbit chuckled. "He's too bashful from young Jaime's idea!"

"It's not like it would work anyway." Jack mumbled defensively. "I just thought that Jaime might be right, stories are told for a reason. What do we have to lose? I really care about Tooth…and little Rosie. I dragged them into this mess. It was my idea to hang out with Tooth outside of the Tooth Palace. It was me that Pitch Black wanted to get revenge on, so Rosie and the other kids suffered. I just think…I just need to have hope that this might work. Who knows?"

"You might be right Jack." North mused out loud. "Love is powerful magic and it is the direct opposite of fear. Perhaps your kiss could wake the two of them up. It's worth a shot, anyway."

Sandy gave him the thumbs up sign, the little fairies swooned and Bunny rolled his eyes, smiling a little. Jack Frost looked at the Toothfairy in his arms, his face still blue from embarrassment. Snowflakes were now falling from the sky and with a quick prayer to the Moon that this would work; Jack Frost placed his lips on Tooth's still ones and gave her a firm but gentle kiss.

There was no response. She remained still and quiet and Jack felt like giving up. A tear slid down his cheek and he closed his eyes in defeat. Suddenly, a few seconds later, he felt a delicate hand touch his face and wipe away that bit of moisture. Startled, Jack Frost opened his eyes and saw Tooth looking up at him with confusion and warmth. She was awake and she smiled softly.

"Jack…what's going on?" Toothiana asked curiously.

She tried to get to her feet and Jack carefully let her down. She was wobbly but after holding out her hands for balance, Tooth managed to get her bearings. Her wings twitched and she rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Did something happen? The last thing I remember was Pitch planning to capture all of you. Wait…where's Rosie? Is she okay? She was placed in that big cage with me."

"Don't worry, she's all right Tooth." North chuckled, nodding towards the little girl in his arms. "She just needs to wake up from her little nap. Jack, if you want to do the honors…"

The Guardian of Fun grinned and gently kissed the little girl on the forehead, watching while she slowly opened her eyes and looked around in confusion. "Miss Tooth…who are all these people? Why are they all looking at me? I want down!" She tried wiggling out of North's strong arms.

"They're our friends, sweetie." Tooth explained patiently. "I think they helped get rid of the big bad Boogeyman. We are free to go home now and you can go back to your family. I'm sure your mommy and daddy miss you terribly. Won't it be good to see them again?"

Rosie nodded and beamed happily as she looked at the Guardians in each turn. However, her eyes widened when she recognized the one who had held her only seconds earlier. Suddenly, the little girl gave a huge shriek. "Ms. Tooth! You didn't tell me you knew Santa Clause! It's not even Christmas! I have so much to tell you Mr. Clause! I've been real good. Can I have a …"

Right away, she started listing off her Christmas list and while North smiled and nodded his head patiently, Tooth went up to Jack and hugged him to her chest. The children were oblivious to the show of affection and the other Guardians were too amused by Rosie to notice, but Jack Frost could feel Tooth's hand wrap around his. He could feel her warmth and a bluish blush spread on his cheeks.

"Baby Tooth told me what happened." Tooth whispered softly. "Thanks for not giving up on us. You really are one of a kind." Jack Frost just looked at her and his deep blue eyes and shy smile were enough. The fairy knew without being told, that her feelings for the Guardian of Fun were returned in full, especially, when he pulled her into another, deeper kiss. In the distance, her little fairies cheered.