Aster clung to the side of the sleigh as North flew it through the sky, wandering (not for the first time) why he hadn't taken his tunnels. They were faster and were less likely to end in a crash or injury. Passing quickly through one of North's many snowglobe portals, they find themselves above Burgess.
"Jack must be around here somewhere."
North's voice bellowed over the wind.
"I'll go see Jamie and the others."
Tooth quickly jumps from the sleigh and descends on the town.
Aster thinks for a moment. Where could Jack be?
His thoughts drift back to the last time they were in the town… The lake.
"Hey mate, maybe he headed towards that frozen lake from before."
North simply nodded before snapping the reins. They soon have the lake in sight. Aster looks over the sides and looks down just time to see Jack split the ice and dive in.
"Nooo…"
"Shostakovich!"
North quickly lands the sleigh and Aster charges for the frozen lake. Looking over the ice he notices it looks untouched. Panic and fear flood his body as he goes to charge onto the ice. Just as he reaches the ice edge strong hands grab him and pull him back.
Aster turns sharply and comes face to face with North and begins yelling.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? We have to break the ice at least for Jackie if not drag him out ourselves!"
North simply looks at Aster with sympathy, sorrow and determination. He waits for the Guardian of hope to stop shouting before speaking in a low, slow and calm voice.
"I'm sorry my friend but we cannot."
"Why? We can't leave Jackie under there!"
North shakes his head.
"We cannot and we won't. Truth is you are spring spirit so can't sense it but ice cannot be broken. Is magical and will stay solid for all but creator."
Before Aster could respond the lake began to glow a light blue. The three Guardians stare until the it fades, a cool breeze sweeps past them. The ice on the lake looking much weaker and fragile.
A heavy weight settles uncomfortably in Aster stomach. North finally releases Aster before tapping him on the shoulder.
"Come friend let us find Tooth and return to the North pole."
North turns towards the sleigh, Sandy hesitates for a moment before resting a hand on Aster's shoulder and followed North to the sleigh. Aster couldn't tear his eyes hadn't left the lake. He swallowed before turn to the guardians of wonder and dreams.
"North. What just happened?"
North turns back to Aster.
"You know what just happened Aster. Jack Frost is no more."
The large, jolly man suddenly looked smaller almost fragile. Shoulders slumped. Sandy wasn't much better, sorrow filled his golden eyes.
"No! This cannot be happening! Manny would not let this happen, he can't let this happen!"
Aster stood tall as he roared in protest. He then slumps and sits on his heels. His voice barely a whisper as he continues.
"Jack can't be gone…"
The three Guardians look at each other for a few moments before they hear voices and footsteps coming towards them. They all turn towards the sound to see Tooth flying over followed by Jack's believers.
Tooth lands near the three Guardians.
"What happened? I'm sure I felt a wave of magic like a spirit just passed but that can't be right, can it?"
All look solemn, eyes flickering between her and the lake, and none answer her. She gasps and bring her hands to cover her mouth.
"No. it can't be true. Tell me it's not true."
Once again none can answer her. Before anything else could happen Jamie and the others catch up to the Guardians.
"Hey, it's the Guardians! Where is Jack?"
Before Jamie's question could be answered Cupcake speaks up.
"Hey look the lake if thawing!"
All the children and Guardians turn to the lake. The ice had now disappeared from the edge but a large slab still covered most of it.
Jamie looked confused.
"That's strange. Mum used to tell me a story about the lake and why it never thawed before."
Aster and the other Guardians perked up at this statement.
"What story was that mate?"
Jamie went quiet for a moment as he tried to remember the story.
"Well according to mum the lake hasn't thawed in around 300 years. Apparently 300 years ago a boy and girl went onto the lake to ice skate. The pair was sibling like me and Sophie. Whilst skating though the ice began to crack under the younger sister. The brother had acted quickly and had saved the girl, but at the price of his own life. He had fallen through the ice and been lost to the cold. It was said the next day the ice had been solid and fully formed like the scene from the day before had never happened, and since that day the ice has never melted or even weakened. No matter how hot the sun was during the summer. The ice was unbreakable."
Everyone was silent as Jamie told his story. Aster was the first to speak up.
"How does your mum know this story?"
Jamie smiled.
"Well according to mum it has been passed down for generations. Apparently the young girl who had been saved was mine and Sophie's great great great great great grandmother or something. Which would have made the boy who died our great great great great great uncle."
