OK, so it's been…HOW LONG? Oh my, that's not good. That's not good at all. I could give a million excuses but unfortunately excuses don't update for me XD

I think I also said that this *cough* was going to be a *cough* request… But ummm, yeah, sorry about that. I am working on them, I promise! I have several on the go at once and if I get stuck on one, I tend to start on another. I know, I know, it's really bad. But it also takes me forever to write chapters, I can't just write one in half an hour (I honestly wish I could but my brain doesn't seem to work like that :( )

But here we are on chapter 5 (Finally XD) I think this chapter moves little too quickly but I really liked the idea ( even though I think it's been done an awful lot already) so here it is.

Althea Sirius: Stubborn Jack is stubborn. Teenagers, eh? XD Okily dokily, I shall write it down and see what I can come up with.

Summary: What if Jack had discovered the Warren before he'd met the Guardians?

Chapter 5: Paradise Discovery

How he discovered the entrance he would never know. But when the 200 year old winter spirit somehow found himself in a spring paradise, he knew he'd hit the jackpot. Plants of greens and reds, blues and yellows grew from every surface for as far as the eye could see. Thick grass grew underfoot from which trees as tall as buildings stood. Jack had no idea where this place was or how he'd never come across it in his 200 years of travels but his awe and curiosity could never stand in the way of such an adventure waiting to be experienced.

The clearing that Jack had found himself was surrounded by a thicket of undergrowth with only a single trail cutting through, leading away into the unknown. With graceful stealth the eternal teenager made his way to the natural alleyway; pale feet made little noise as they carefully trod the path. Excitement at discovering this beautiful setting buzzed through his limbs as he wove his way through the entangled plants and trees.

As the undergrowth thinned out, Jack slowed his speed. Over his long life time, he'd met his fair share of unfriendly spirits who'd love to show the inquisitive winter spirit just what they thought if he'd accidentally wondered into their domain. Not wanting to be caught by surprise, he snuck silently to where the trail opened up into another, much larger, clearing. Jack couldn't suppress a breath of admiration at the sheer size of such a place. This area held far more detail and complexities than the last. Rivers of colours flowed elegantly across the terrain, small bridges connecting islands between them. Boulders the size of trucks dotted the landscape and Jack noticed that on each stone, unusual features were carved. In the distance, rolling hills gently swept, curving into the bright blue of the cloudless sky.

Staff in hand, Jack took to the air and glided over the lush grass to the nearest river. The bright blue liquid seemed to shimmer in the sunlight as it ran past him. Cautiously, he reached out a hand and dabbed a finger into the swiftly moving current. Retracting his hand, he frowned in confusion as he inspected his now blue-painted finger.

Wanting to find out more about this curious place, the spirit floated up once again and flew to one of the miniature bridges spanning the river. Grabbing a small twig, Jack made his way to one side of the bridge. After dropping the stick down to the paint below, he dashed all of the three steps it took to get to the other side. Glancing down, he waited. Not 3 seconds later, the blue dyed twig floated past below. A childish smile broke out on his face as he sprung up into the air.

A gathering of the stone boulders stood motionless not too far away. As Jack snuck closer, he realised the carvings he'd noticed earlier decorating the stone's surface were, in fact, detailed faces. A blank expression stared back at him as he studied solid stone. Each face held meticulous details so similar yet so different, it seemed to give them their own personality. Bright cerulean eyes were as wide as saucers as a pale (unpainted) hand tentatively reached out to touch the rough surface; long fingers gracing the intricate carvings.

After a moment, the spirit stepped back and began to circle behind the boulder. However, he didn't make it very far before he jerked to a stop. It was only slight but it definitely wasn't there minutes ago. His face creased in concentration as he listened. All of a sudden, the slight rumble that he'd heard from behind him was accompanied by a tremor that shook the ground below his feet. What was happening? Maybe it was an earthquake? Rapidly, he spun on his heel, only to be faced with the giant boulder he'd only just walked away from seconds ago. His shoulders tensed as he started to slowly back away from the (apparently alive) creature; his eyes never leaving its form. It never tried to pursue him but he didn't exactly want to chance it. When he considered himself to be a safe distance away, he took to the sky and flew back to where he knew the path which brought him here in the first place was.

Initial shock over with, Jack hid himself within the treetops at the edge of clearing, where he was still able to see the rivers and stone creatures but, he hoped, with them unable to see him. Was it some kind of magic? What else was alive in here? These questions and more chased through the winter spirit's mind.

He was so lost in his own thoughts, however, that he missed the entrance of another being into the clearing. It was only as he happened to glance up did he notice a much smaller animal than the stones, but still taller than Jack himself, wandering towards the rivers. Forgetting that he was hidden from sight, the spirit gasped and ducked down behind a branch, accidentally rusting the leaves as he did so. He waited a moment before slowly straightening back up, careful to avoid making anymore noise. The creature he'd spotted was looking directly in his direction. Jack barely dared to breathe. He couldn't see with great detail at this distance away but from what he could make out, the intruder was human in shape but Jack noticed something that would explain how he was heard over such a great distance. Long ears stood listening out for any more unusual noises coming from Jack's direction.

As soon as the winter spirit realised this, everything fell into place. The spring environment, the rivers of paint and dye and the giant stone…"Eggs." Jack unintentionally spoke the word aloud. Luckily, it seemed like the anthropomorphic rabbit had decided against investigating the rustling further and so went about his business of testing the paints in the river and planting seeds in various areas.

Of course the winter spirit had heard of the famous Easter spirit and Guardian but never had he come across the well-known Pooka. E. Aster Bunnymund was one of four legendary Guardians of Childhood; each spirit protecting something within children. Jack had heard of all of them but had only ever met one: The Sandman-Guardian of Dreams. If only he could pluck up the courage to go and say hello. However, after much internal debate, Jack decided turning up out of the blue and saying 'how do you do' to a Guardian whose home he'd broken into probably wasn't the best way to go about it.

Maybe one day their paths would cross but for now, Jack turned his back and silently flew back the way he'd come in. Finding the exit, he disappeared back into the outside world. Back to his lake and to being alone.

Hello again. Ok, so the next chapter is already written so I will be able to upload it later this week. Oh and it's also A LOT longer than this little drabble XD Thank you so much for reading!

Until next time!