Italicized is the Guardians watching the memories. Normal font is the memories. Bold is Man in the Moon speaking.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians.
Summary: The Guardians start to watch Jack's memories
The world around them dissolved into colours. The Guardians all blinked at their surroundings, so different from the dark of the winter spirit's room. There was a forest to their left, dense and teeming with life. To their right was a quaint village, dirt road lined loosely on either side with homes. They were squat bungalows, made out of wood and thatch roofs. The one nearest them had several different pens beside it, each filled with a different type of livestock. "Where are we?" Tooth murmured.
"Welcome to Burgess during my childhood," Jack replied dryly. He planted his staff into the ground so that it stood upright. Then, he sat down, leaning his back against it and drawing his knees up to rest his arms on top of them. Overall, it was the posture of defeat as if he had resigned himself to his fate, resigned himself to something he didn't want to do.
"Vhy'd Manny take us all the way back to childhood?" North wondered.
'To learn about someone, you have to start from the beginning.' The Guardians looked around, feeling the Man in the Moon's voice coming from all around them. It was strange as he rarely spoke directly to them, opting instead to use symbols. They looked over at Jack, watching his face fall even further as if he lost all hope of getting out of this.
"Jack," Bunny began, but was interrupted by a squeal of laughter.
Two children ran by. One was brown haired, brown eyed with simple cloth clothes. He was young, maybe three years old. He was dirty, hair sticking up in all directions and mud on his clothes. However, it was the toddler's smile that really drew them in. It was so full of happiness and life, it oozed vitality and a sort of unshakeable joy. The second child was a girl, maybe a year older. She had long blonde hair and a simple dress. She ran, giggling, ahead of the boy, longer legs allowing her to outrace him. "Can't catch me," she teased.
"Yes I can," the boy pouted. He stopped, clutching at his stomach as if in pain. The girl ran back to him, worry written on her face.
"Jack," she cried as the boy fell to his knees. All of the Guardians whipped their heads towards where the winter spirit was sitting against his staff. He barely looked up at them, but nodded in answer to their unasked question. They went back to watching this little Jack.
"Jack," the girl yelled again. The boy looked up with a grin, tackling her to the ground. "You tricked me."
"No, I caught you," Jack protested.
"Cheat!"
"I didn't cheat, I just caught you a different way than you thought." The little boy looked pleased with himself, propping himself up on his elbows as he grinned at the girl. Finally, she gave in to his smile, doing the same herself.
"Jack!" they heard a woman call from the house.
"C'mon Lila," the boy said, helping his friend up. The girl raced away, waving goodbye as Jack ran to his house.
The woman, obviously his mother, also had light brown hair and russet brown eyes. She was fairly short, wearing a plain dress. Her face was unlined and kind although with the sort of expression that looked like it often turned towards smiling. "Jackson," she exclaimed, "What have you been doing? You are such a mess! Go clean up before dinner."
"Yes mom," the boy chirped and his mother smiled fondly as he raced into the house.
"Aw!" Tooth exclaimed, "You were so cute!"
"You were also a little devil," Bunny pointed out.
For the first time since Jack had been forcibly dragged back into his memories, he looked up at them with a smile. "You have no idea," he murmured.
"Vhy such a big change in appearance?" North asked, almost to himself.
The teen shrugged. "It fit more with my season," he suggested.
The scene around them dissolved and shifted. This time, they were inside the house and night had fallen. It was obviously a different day as Jack and his mother were wearing different clothes.
"Hello," a deep voice called out.
"Dad!" Jack called, leaping up from his seat at the kitchen table. He barreled into the man and was scooped up and swung around. His dad was tall, matching his wife and son with brown hair and brown eyes. He had a growth of a beard, the same chestnut colour as his hair.
The man walked with his son in his arms, stooping to give his wife a kiss.
"Good to see you dear," she murmured. He nodded back at her, giving a fond smile.
Jack's father put his son on his feet. "What'd you do this time dad? Did you see anything cool? Did you bring back anything?"
"Woah, woah. Hold up with the questions. I'd love to see what meal my lovely wife has prepared for us all and then we can sit and talk."
The mom snorted at the obvious flattery, bringing a pot to the table where she ladled out soup into three separate bowls. Jack could hardly sit still as he ate, asking his father question after question.
"Did you make any new friends?"
"As a matter of fact, I did. We stopped through a nice town and I got on really well with the keeper there. He said to stop by any time."
The look on little Jack's face was one of awe. "Really?" His dad nodded. "Were there any wolves? Did you lose any sheep?"
"Only one wolf attack, but he was sickly, only got one sheep."
"Did you fight the wolf?" the boy asked innocently.
The father chuckled. "Yes son and we won."
"Cool!"
"But you know, we lost a couple other sheep to a bear attack." The man was smiling, eyes crinkling up as if he were telling a joke.
However, Jack didn't catch on. There was wonder written all over his face. "A bear?"
"Ya, he was big and brown and he gave a big roar. His claws were this big." He indicated a size about half that of his hand.
"Wow," the boy murmured, eyes wide. "What did the roar sound like?"
"Curious little devil weren't ya," Bunny commented, green eyes gleaming with mirth. Jack smiled down at his knees, nodding his head.
The man smiled even brighter. "Like this," he said, giving a big roar, with his hands poised like claws. The toddler's eyes went even wider.
"Isaac, you're scaring him," the mother chastised, giving her husband a scathing look.
"I'm not scared," little Jack protested.
Still, the man apologized. "Sorry Maria." Then, with a hint of mischief, he asked, "Did I scare you too?"
She raised an eyebrow at him, rolling her eyes.
Jack and Isaac exchanged a look and burst out laughing together. The deep sound of a man and the high giggle of a child rang out in unison.
"Children," Maria muttered.
The scene dissolved again before any of the Guardians could comment. It reappeared outside again. This time, the young Jack was maybe 4 and was with another boy about his age. It was winter and both children were bundled up in layers upon layers of clothing.
"Sh," Jack urged the other boy who was trying to stifle his giggles. "You're going to ruin it."
"Am not," the boy protested.
"Are too if you don't be quiet." The young Jack was crouching behind a tree, gazing intently up the path beside him. "Here she comes," Jack whispered.
There was the girl they had met before, Lila. She was holding a basket and walking quickly towards them, though she didn't know they were there.
"You think the ice is ready yet?" the other boy asked. Jack just mutely nodded, grinning devilishly. He pulled it off quite well with his young face and impish smile.
The girl shrieked, pinwheeling her arms before she took a spill to the ground.
Jack jumped out from his hiding place. "Got you," he yelled before taking off, the other boy hot on his heels. Lila leaped up, racing after them. She caught the other boy first, holding him steady as he squirmed. Jack staggered to a halt, glancing at his fallen comrade.
"Leave me, save yourself," the boy called melodramatically.
"Why take the blame when it was his idea?" Lila asked.
"I never said it was his idea. The ice was just there."
Lila rolled her eyes. "I saw the water bucket."
"Busted," the boy muttered.
"Surrender, Jack, and I will let your friend go," Lila called.
Jack looked like he was considering bolting before he raised his hands, advancing towards the pair. "I admit defeat. Let him go. 'Tholemew just accompanied me. "
Lila released 'Tholomew and grabbed an unresisting Jack, whispering in his ear, "You don't want to start a prank war with me."
The boy grinned again, "I think I do." Then, he brought up his hand, throwing a snowball into her face.
"Jack," she yelled, grabbing her own ammunition. Soon, the three of them were in a battle, snowballs flying everywhere.
'Still starting snowball fights, even then,' Sandy signed with a grin. Jack smiled back at him and the Guardians glanced at each other, easing slightly. Despite his clear reluctance, at least the teen wasn't upset about them seeing these memories.
'Tholomew shivered. "Maybe we should head back," he suggested.
Jack nodded sagely, walking behind the tree to pick up the pail he had disposed of and then a few paces along the trail to pick up Lila's basket.
"I can take it," she argued.
"Allow me," he returned formally. Together, the three children walked out of the forest.
"This isn't so bad, Jack," Bunny commented.
"Not yet," the winter spirit muttered darkly. He was not meeting their gaze as the Guardians slowly drifted over to stand around him, as if protecting him.
It was an eerie feeling, being immersed in memories as they were. The scenes in front of them had a certain dream-like quality which spoke to the fact that they could not interfere. However, both the others around them and the past people seemed corporeal and real. It was almost as if they could stretch out their arms and tap the young Jack on the shoulder.
The scene shifted once more, once again inside their little cabin. It was still winter and the chill could almost be seen in the air. Jack and his parents shivered where they were, bundled up in as many layers as possible. There was a roaring fire leaping in the grate and the three were huddled near it. Wind shrieked from outside, making the young boy jump.
"It's okay," the mother soothed, rubbing Jack's back.
"It sounds like the wind is trying to get inside," the boy muttered, staring wide eyed out the window.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to let it carry you away," Maria assured, reaching over to grab another blanket to wrap around her child.
The Guardians looked over at their Jack, noticing his slight smirk at the comment. If the wind had sway in these memories, she would probably be swirling around them, ruffling the frost teen's hair.
"Of course we won't," Isaac chimed in, then, with a mischievous grin at his wife, he added, "because then your little sibling wouldn't have a big brother."
Mary shot him a look that said they would definitely have words about this later. However, little Jack was completely oblivious. His eyes widened with shock, jaw going slack. "I have a little sibling?"
Isaac chuckled, deep and throaty, "Not yet."
"When?" the boy demanded, nearly bouncing with excitement. A wide smile was trying to tear free of the constraints of his lips.
"About seven months," Mary chimed in.
"Why's it going to take so long?"
The two adults shot each other panicked looks, at a loss for words.
The Guardians laughed and Jack looked at his feet, a very faint blush creeping across his face. "You really were curious," Bunny commented.
"Um …" Isaac started, looking to his wife for a save.
She sighed theatrically. "Shouldn't the question be if you are going to get a little brother or sister?" she skillfully diverted, casting her husband a smug look when the boy got distracted.
"Oh," he gasped, "Which one is it?"
"I'm not sure yet. It's a surprise," Mary declared, smiling warmly down at her son.
"I love surprises," Jack shouted with glee. Then, the shrieking of the wind faded out as the scene shifted again before their eyes.
There were quick scenes, small peeks into Jack's childhood. There he was playing with his two best friends. Then, there he was again, getting in trouble in the village for pulling a prank. He had stared at the ground as he got chastised, humbly apologizing and saying it wouldn't happen again. However, the devil's smile as he was let off with a warning spoke to the Guardians of there being no stop to pranks in his future. There the boy was again, diligently helping his mother as their father went away during the summer.
Then, the scene resolved itself with a scream of pain. The young Jack was sprinting back to his house, a woman in tow. She was carrying a bag, arms laden with blankets. She was thin, but sturdy, wisened in appearance. She had a pinched face with nearly grey eyes that seemed to have seen too much tragedy. Her graying hair seemed to be caught in the middle of flying away from her bun. Her dress was plain and dark in colour.
Another scream tore itself through the air and Jack looked nervously at the woman beside him. "Is my mom going to be okay?" he asked.
"I sure hope so, dear," the woman responded briefly, already rushing into the house. Whenever there was movement in these memories, it seemed as if the landscape moved towards and away from the Guardians so that they didn't need to move. Therefore, they were right there when little Jack cautiously and anxiously entered his house, watching his dad pace up and down in front of the entrance to his parent's bedroom.
"Is she going to be okay?" Jack asked again, high and worried.
"Of course, Jackie," Isaac assured, holding his arms out for the boy to jump into them. "You're getting heavy," the man joked. Jack smiled, but quickly stiffened as there was another scream. The father was putting up a brave front but the Guardians could clearly see his strain and concern written in the lines of his face.
"Is my little sibling hurting her?" the boy asked, brows lowering.
"Not on purpose. It just hurts to bring a baby into the world."
"Why?" Jack questioned.
Isaac paused, glancing up at the ceiling as if it would provide him with answers. The little boy still in his arms took the time to study his father's face, brows furrowing more as he seemed to see the worry there.
"Well, because a baby is a miracle, but miracles don't come without a price," the father finally explained.
The boy looked confused but was dissuaded from responding by a long, drawn out scream. Isaac's face shot wide with fear. He put his son down. "Why don't you go find some of your friends to play with," he suggested.
"Okay," the boy nodded solemnly, rushing to the door. He took one more look back at his father before doing as he was bid.
The scene skipped again and the sun was higher in the sky. Jack and Lila were playing nearby to his house, glancing over every once in a while as another scream sounded. Finally, little Jack sat down, looking down at the grass.
"What's wrong?" Lila asked.
"I'm scared," the boy admitted, pulling up a fistful of grass.
"Don't be," the girl returned simply. Jack's brown eyes stared right at her, severely skeptical for those of a six year olds.
"S'not that easy."
"Yes it is; I'm here." With that statement, the girl reached out to her friend, drawing him into a hug. Jack dropped his head onto her shoulder, trembling slightly They remained like that for several minutes, listening to the screams become weaker and weaker.
Sandy smirked, looking at Bunny who was doing the same thing.
"You got a girlfriend, Jack?" the Pooka asked.
The teen mutely shook his head, smiling lightly as he watched the scene play out. That way, he missed the dream maker making kissy faces in his dream and North stifling a laugh while Tooth rolled her eyes.
Eventually, Isaac stepped out the doorway, lifting weary eyes to scan for his son. "Jack!" he called.
The boy bolted up from where he was sitting beside his friend. She stood with him, grabbing his hand. He walked forwards, and she released him. Isaac ushered his son into the house, guiding him into the larger bedroom. Jack looked up at his father as they walked along, seeming to look for any signs of what had happened. The man smiled down at him. "Do you want to meet your little sister?"
Suddenly, Jack's smile broke through the serious atmosphere of the day, lighting up the entire room with its strength. "Yes!" he squeaked. He practically skipped into the room, running towards his mother who was lying on the bed, hair painted to her forehead with sweat. She was holding a bundle in her arms, smiling warmly down at it. However, as her son entered, her focus switched to him.
"Want to meet her?" she asked, a note of exhaustion running under the light words.
"Yes please," the boy chirped eagerly, brown eyes alight.
Mary held out the precious little package in her arms, tilting it slightly so her son could see the tiny baby.
"She's beautiful," Jack murmured with wonder. "What's her name?"
Isaac moved forwards, planting a kiss on his wife's forehead. "We had two names, but we wanted to know what you think."
"I get to help chose," the little boy murmured in awe, the biggest smile splitting his face.
Mary chuckled weakly. "What do you think of Penelope or Abigail?"
The boy mulled it over, pulling an unconsciously adorable thinking face. After a time, he said solemnly, "I like Poppy." He nodded his head, as if liking the sound of it coming from his lips.
Isaac chuckled. "That wasn't one of the options Jack."
The boy shrugged, unfazed. "It could be a nickname, like mine."
The Guardians rounded on the winter spirit. "Vhat?" North managed to choke out.
The teen fiddled with his hands under their scrutiny but before he could have a chance to respond, the memory answered one of their questions.
"Yes Jackson," Mary rolled her eyes. "But Jack isn't as far a stretch."
The boy shrugged again. "Penelope could be Poppy."
The rest of the conversation was drowned out as the Guardians conversed.
"Jack!" Tooth exclaimed. "Are you telling us you never let us know your full name is Jackson?"
The teen looked down, face falling. "I'm not sure it is anymore," he murmured.
"What do you mean, mate?" Bunny asked
Jack continued to play with his hands, seemingly missing his staff which was planted behind him. "It's – I," he broke off, searching for words. "W-when I became a s-spirit the Man in the Moon t-told me my name was Jack Frost." He crossed his arms over his chest as if trying to comfort himself. Then, he shrugged, although it was clear he couldn't really brush off his next words. "I'm not sure I h-have a right t-to the name Jackson anymore," he finished even quieter.
Tooth fluttered down, going to sit down beside him but he didn't look up. "Sweetie, do you want the name?"
He glanced up at her quickly, confused. Then, his lips gave the slightest twitch. "No one ever really called me Jackson anyways," he admitted, "unless I was in trouble." There was just the murmur of conversation in the memory behind them for a moment.
"Yet you feel as if it is just another part of yourself you have lost," Tooth prompted.
Jack hunched his shoulders slightly as if trying to deflect her words, but still, he nodded.
North crouched down too, beside Tooth. "In my mind, you have right to vhatever name you vant. There is no official document anyvhere. If you vould like, ve can call you Jackson."
The teen looked up, blue eyes swimming with gratitude. However, he shook his head, giving a slight, shy smile. "Then I'd feel like I was in trouble all of the time."
North smiled back, straightening. "Then Jack it is," he declared. "Your name can be vhatever you choose."
With that settled, they all turned back to the memories.
The little Jack was carefully holding his baby sister, Isaac helping slightly. "We're going to have so much fun Poppy," he whispered to the sleeping newborn. "I'm going to teach you how to throw a good snowball and how to skate and how to pull a prank."
The parents exchanged an alarmed look, but relaxed, smiling at each other. Despite his mischief, they looked at their son with trust in their eyes, seeming to already be able to tell that he was going to be a good big brother.
The memories shifted again, leaving the Guardians momentarily surrounded by white until the scene resolved itself once more in that little cabin.
"Penelope," Mary muttered, frustrated. She bent down to retrieve the bowl that her daughter had just tossed to the floor.
The kettle whistled and a log crackled in the fire. At the loud noise, the baby started crying.
Little Jack came to the rescue, scooping up his sister. "I got it mom," he assured, bouncing around the room. "Don't cry Poppy, it's okay," he soothed. He rubbed the baby's back calmingly. Slowly but surely, the cries subsided and Mary dealt with the food she had cooking.
"No wonder you are so good with kids, mate," Bunny stated.
Jack nodded slightly.
"Thanks Jack," his mother said, taking the baby from her son.
"No problem ma'am," he chirped, giving her a wide grin. Penelope was stretching out, murmuring in her mom's arms. She turned around, looking to her brother. "Jack," she mumbled out, the word barely recognizable. Mary and her son looked at each other, eyes wide. "Did she just –"
"Jack," the baby called, louder.
"She said my name," Jack murmured, awed.
"Jack!" the girl cried even louder.
"She did," Mary exclaimed. Together, they burst into laughter, smiling as wide as ever. Suddenly, Mary's face fell. "I wish Isaac was here to see this."
The Guardians turned once more to their Jack, watching his slight smile as he stared at the scene. These memories seemed to soften his face, make it a little less guarded. He seemed for once to almost be a normal teenager, less of the world weary, tortured look in his eyes.
"She's so cute," Tooth squealed.
Jack glanced up at the sharp exclamation, eyes wide, then relaxed as he took in the fairy's cooing smile. He nodded slightly, lips twitching upwards as if wanting to break out into a full grin. Slowly, as he looked back at the scene, a smile seemed to radiate over his features, revealing to them Jack as he may have been, all laughter and fun times.
AN: Sorry for the delay. Cute? I hope so. It will get a little angsty as chapters progress.
