Hi everyone! Can I just say that my favourite part of seeing the stats after I've posted a new chapter is watching people read the first chapter then go, "nah, not for me", in a Michael McIntyre voice then I just picture them strolling awkwardly out the door XD. But for everyone who's made it this far, thanks so much! I really really hope you like what you read! This chapter is just a little something I thought would be fun, a story where Jack and Sandy meet each other before the movie.

Reviews

Demi Clayton: Thanks! I'm definitely going to keep writing!

Rosey l londe: I'm going to take that as a compliment XD

sparklehannah: Don't worry about it! Thank you so so much for reviewing, you're amazing! Your comments are really uplifting and motivating, thank you!

Summary: A what-if where the Guardian of Dreams and Fun meet years before the battle with Pitch.

Chapter 8

Every few months, the golden Guardian of Dreams would catch a glimpse of a blue, brown and white streak across the sky. A lithe figure gripping a long, wooden staff that would swoop and dive through the air, arms outstretched with snow white hair flying. For a hundred years, Sandy watched the mysterious spirit from afar, never approaching, until the blue clad spirit moved on and the gold Guardian curiously noted him many moons later.

After discovering the existence of the spirit, Sandy had often wondered if they held any particular talents or powers. Of course, some spirits possessed more power than others and Sandy pondered whether the small character was purely a helper of a more minor spirit, maybe a wood nymph or a water sprite. He came across many of such spirits along his travels, some more friendly than others, but he'd never seen this spirit interact with any other. No one ever came up to him, either colleague or friend, even for a short hello or conversation. Sandy was well aware that he only saw the spirit for a short amount of time on rare occasions but, surely, a friend of the spirit would say hello in passing, or a co-worker would stop to pass on information.

It had been a few years since Sandy's first discovery of the spirit and he'd all but forgotten about the mysterious character as he spread joy and dreams to the children of Alaska. The temperature was bitingly cold as the sharp wind grew stronger. Delicate flakes tried to drift down from above but were instead thrashed to and fro in the violent winds. The light seemed to fade as grey clouds settled themselves in front of the sun. A blizzard was brewing.

Just as Sandy decided his job in Alaska was done, something caught his eye. Not too far away, a familiar figure floated midair, crooked staff held aloft. After observing for several minutes, realisation of just who the strange spirit was dawned on him. Icy power emanated from his frame as each feature of the freezing weather followed his instructions. This spirit was definitely no minion of a wood nymph or a water sprite, but one of an entire season. He was the Spirit of Winter.

Against his better judgment, Sandy drifted towards the shelter of some trees and decided to watch the show. He wondered how such a seemingly uncontrollable phenomenon could be directed so effortlessly. Each and every aspect was managed to perfection. Just as not one snow flake fell without reason, no howl of the gale blew without a cause.

The figure directing the storm had no knowledge he was being watched with such astonishment. Everything but the storm around him was insignificant as he concentrated to ensure every detail was faultless. Winter power flowed through his limbs, focussed through the ancient Shepard's crook he held in his right hand. Time seemed to disappear as the storm grew in intensity. Eventually, however, it pushed away into surrounding towns, losing energy as it became less concentrated. When the storm was no more than a gentle snowfall, the Spirit of Winter slowly floated down to the white blanketed ground below, landing unknowingly only a few hundred yards away from the Guardian of Dreams.

With his mind made up, Sandy glided through the trees towards the white haired sprite, intent of learning more about this lonely character. As he got closer, the golden Guardian took note of the blue hoodie the spirit wore, along with the tattered brown trousers and bare feet. The fabric of the hood covered what Sandy knew to be stark white hair, however, with the spirit's back currently towards him, Sandy had no inclination as to what the Winter Spirit actually looked like. One hand was hidden deep within the confines of a pocket whilst the other carelessly flipped the conduit between his fingers. Having no intention of scaring the spirit, Sandy kept his distance and hoped he wouldn't spook the sprite as he slowly circled around him.

Unfortunately, the winter sprite still jolted in alarm as Sandy appeared in his peripheral vision. The Guardian of Dreams hastily raised his hands in surrender as the spirit stepped backwards, bare feet sinking into the snow. Sandy remained still, waiting patiently for the startled spirit to decide whether or not to trust this new arrival. In the few seconds that went by, Sandy got to study up close the face he'd only seen from miles away. Astonishingly blue eyes stood out from the pale face as it peered untrustingly out from under the hood. Sandy felt the shock of realisation as the spirit's youth became apparent. Of course, the slight frame may suggest a younger adult but he had never thought the spirit to be a mere teenager, 17 at most. Sandy's slightly startled face must have convinced the teen that he was in no immediate danger for he asked in a voice that sounded not as brave as he'd hoped, "What do you want?"

The ancient Guardian smiled kindly, lowering his hands slowly as the Winter Spirit watched every move, still very much wary of the stranger. Sandy signed out his answer as pictures appeared above his head. As he was well aware many people struggled to understand his way of communication, he tried to make the pictures as easy as possible to understand, 'I watched the blizzard and decided I had to meet the spirit who made it'.

"You… don't talk?" The curious tone showed in his voice even though his defensive stance never wavered. "What's your name?"

Pictures appeared in the air of a child in bed as miniature golden tendrils danced around their head, changing into shapes of animals and playtime.

"Wait, you're the Sandman? You're the Guardian of Dreams, right?" The protective stance was unconsciously relaxed as curiosity morphed into awe. "Um, I'm Jack. Jack Frost. I'm the Spirit of Winter, or, at least, I think I am…"

Sandy beamed brightly and answered with a simple wave. When a question occurred to him he was quick to sign it out, unsure whether Jack trusted him enough yet to stay around.

"How long have I been around?" Sandy nodded eagerly as the winter spirit asked as confirmation. "Well, not too long, really, about 100 years. It didn't take me too long to figure out what my job was since it snowed everywhere I went." Jack grinned despite himself when Sandy chuckled silently. "So how long have you been giving kids dreams?"

The ancient Guardian studied an imaginary watch with a look of deep concentration on his face, before signing out what Jack translated as, "About 5 hours."

After a moment of confusion, genuine childish laughter rang through the woods as the Winter sprite realised the literal route the Sandman had taken to the question. "Well let me be the first to welcome you to planet Earth then! A bit chilly at the moment but I promise it warms up when I'm not around."

Sandy waved a hand in dismissal before fashioning an oversized sun hat from Dreamsand which he fit snuggly over his spiked hair.

The gold Guardian followed with a sand image of Jack himself then joining him with 4 more miniature Jacks, each with a tiny snowflake floating from their sand staff. "Are there more winter spirits?"

He was pleasantly surprised when Jack understood the question straight away, the youth shrugging a dismissive shoulder. "Nah, not that I know of. It's quite a lonely job, I guess. People just don't appreciate the hard work and magic that goes into every single snowflake." Jack pressed the back of his hand to his forehead in a dramatic rendition of sorrow. "So you do this every night? Spreading this dream sand stuff? But it's always night somewhere, does that mean you work all time? Just circling the world?" Jack fired questions at Sandy who received them with a fond smile and a simple nod. "That must be a pretty lonely job too. Hey, how about we be lonely together? I'm not doing much now, mind if I join you on tonight's world tour? I'm warning you though, if you say no, I'll just follow you anyway." Jack asked hopefully. Boredom would strike soon now that he'd finished winter spreading in the area and who knows, maybe he would find a friend in the small sand spinner.

Sandy bounced on his toes, clapping silent hands. Something about the younger spirit intrigued him and Sandy knew how too long exploring one's own thoughts could get dangerous. The longevity of a spirit's life was both a blessing and a curse with many falling into the darkness. If finding a friend could keep this child's spirit alive, what was the harm?

0o0o0o

Once every 50 years or so, two coloured streaks would race each other across the night sky. One of the colour blue and one of gold. The blue accompanied by a not-unpleasant chill and with the gold came calmness and dreams. Too busy with their duties was each colour to race and play more than once in a human's lifetime but that was enough to keep hope and wonder alive. Loneliness and uncertainty would burden the blue over the many years to come however but, unknowingly to him, gold would always be there to bring peace and safety. Years later, the gold would regret not trying harder to see the young blue but the blue was forever grateful to the Man in the Moon for giving him such an amazing friend.

0o0o0

Until next time!