So, I got the Guardians of Childhood box set (yeah, I saw the movie before I read the books.) and the tag said it was from Jack Frost (ha ha, mom. Make fun of the ROTG addict.). So, I was reading the back, and it said that there was alreadya character named Nightlight! I really hope I don't get sued... Well the official Nightlight isn't anything like my Night Light.
So, anyways, on with the show!~
Ashllyn's head exploded. She collapsed with a cry of pain. She felt her control slip and falter. She felt Terralia gain control.
"You... can't... win... they have... a plan..." she groaned, clutching her head. She felt her mind grow blank, and control of her own body slip away. She felt Terralia grasp control with an iron hand.
"Oh, contrare, Ashllyn. I also have a plan." Terralia said, standing and brushing Ashllyn's body off. This girl is too medlesome. I must dispose of her spirit when I reclaim the world, Terralia thought. It was true, she also had a master plan. A plan that, if executed right, would stop the guardians in their tracks. She had the bait, and she had the means of letting the guardians know that she had the bait.
The plan was going accordingly.
BACK AT THE POLE...
The guardians and Jaime where gathered on a balcony. The sight in front of them nearly stopped their hearts. In the clouds, formed of the fluffy white things themselves, was Ashllyn's face. Except, it was twisted in a maniacal sneer.
"Oh, hello! Is this a bad time?" the cloud-Ashllyn/Terralia said. No one answered.
"No? Good. Because I have something of yours. Just thought you might want it back." Her face dissapeared and was replaced by the form of a small girl. A small girl with toussled hair and footie pajamas...
"Sophie?" Jaime asked. Jack stared at the cloud in disbelief. Terralia's head appeared again.
"Sophie, is it? I belive she is your little sister, Jaime. How fragile, human lives. What a shame if Sophie where to be... broken." she laughed, but it wasn't Ashllyn's laugh. No, this laugh was hard, cold and cruel.
"Don't you even think-" Jaime started, walkilng to the edge of the balcony.
"About what? What can you do about, Jaime?" Terralia asked, mock curiosity on her cloudy face.
"Don't listen to her, Jaime!" Jack called, putting his hand on Jaime's shoulder. Night Light put her hand on his other shoulder. Jaime didn't answer her question.
"That's what I thought." Terralia said.
"Why are you doing this?" North asked.
"Oh, Nicholas, you know why. The world has been ruined by humans. Pollution, acids, human wastes... they are killing the planet. My animals are being hunted for their furs or horns or tusks or teeth or... for... sport'' she spat the last word out as if it where the foulest thing to ever make its way from her mouth.
If she weren't trying to destroy the human race, one might pity her.
''Why did you have to bring Sophie into it? She hasn't done anything to you!'' Bunny asked. He had become quite attatched to the child, and hated to see her captured almost as much as Jaime.
''Ah, Bunnymund. I have looked forwards to meeting you. We aren't that different, you know. Both spirits of spring, both spirits of Nature. Think about it. Why waste your time on these brats, when we could rule the world, side by side.''
Bunny looked slightly appaled at the idea.
"Me? Join you? Not even in your twisted dreams, Dirt Face."
The cloud face sighed. She actually looked disapointed.
"Ah, well. I await your arival in Burgess... eagerly. And a farewell to you all, from Sophie and I!" with those words, Terralia's face vanished, leaving behind only a chill of terror and dread in the Arctic air. After a long, unbroken silence, Jaime finally spoke.
"We- we're going to get Sophie, right?" he asked nervously. The guardians exchanged skeptic looks, except Jack and Night Light, who nodded vigourusly.
"Of course we are, Jaime," Jack said, Night Light nodding her agreement. "right, guys?" he asked the guardians, but it wasn't really a question. More of a statement or a command.
"Well, there is no time like the present!" North said unenthusiastically. "To the sleigh!"
At this there was a mingled reaction. Bunny and Night Light groaned, while the rest of the guardians and Jaime cheered.
Terralia sat back, admiring her handiwork. The trap was set, baited, and ready to be sprung. The little girl, Sophie, was completley oblivious. She was contently in the corner, playing with a small plant. She would ocasionaly run up to the throne and sqeal, "Flower! Flower, flower, flower!" them run back to her corner.
It really was quite annoying. How that Jaime child put up with her, she would never know.
All there was left to do now was lie in wait. Like a puma on the hunt, she would spring at the precisely right moment.