Author's Note: Chapter twenty-one already?! =O December twenty-one already?! It's almost Christmas...already?!

Okay, okay, I'll stop with the "alreadys." X) Seriously, I still feel like I just published this story yesterday, and I'm still surprised by all the feedback it has received. =) And this story broke 70,000 words (excluding the author's notes and all that =P). That's a whole lot of words! =P

Thank you, guys, so much for the reviews, favs, and follows once again. =) I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! =D


Chapter Twenty-One: The Announcement

December Twenty-First

Jack gulped. The Autumn sprites had showed up, and who knew what they would do if they found out that he was there. Jack had forgotten that Bunny was still standing next to him, and it took the Pooka a little bit of time to snap Jack out of his trance.

"Mate, what's goin' on with ya?" asked Bunny concerningly.

Jack shook his head. "N-nothing, nothing. I'm fine."

Bunny crossed his arms. "Ya sure don't look fine."

"I am," said Jack, his eyes narrowed. "I'm just…I'm just going to go and grab something to eat," he mumbled. Then, he quickly left Bunny, who was still wondering what was wrong with the winter spirit.

Jack weaved through the crowd and kept his head low. He wished that his cloak had a hood; it would be much easier to blend in and hide if he did have one. The winter spirit watched as the Autumn sprites began wandering around. They talked with other immortals and spirits, and Autumn even chatted with North for a while. Jack frowned. They were acting way friendlier to the others than they had to him at his lake. Jack soon found himself at the buffet table and he looked over his options. There was a fruitcake that sat nearby, but Jack didn't feel in the mood for it. In fact, he didn't feel in the mood for eating at all. All he could think of was how to avoid the Autumn sprites without raising suspicion amongst the Guardians.

Or, thought Jack. I could just tell them what's going on. The Guardian of Fun chewed his lower lip. The situation was much more difficult than he thought it would be.

Tooth was fluttering nearby; she smiled when she spotted Jack by the buffet table. She fluttered up to him and said, "Hi, Jack! How's the party going for you?"

Jack managed to smile. "It's going pretty okay," he replied. But deep down, Jack wasn't having as much fun as he'd hoped.

Tooth nodded, and then she picked up a cookie and bit into it. "Mm! These cookies really are good!"

Jack chuckled. "I told you they're hard to resist."

Tooth shrugged. "As irresistible as they are, you still shouldn't eat too many of them."

"Is that all you came here to tell me?" asked Jack with a mischievous smirk

Tooth shook her head and smiled. "No, I came because I wanted you to meet some friends of mine." Jack glanced around, but he couldn't place who Tooth was talking about. The winter spirit wasn't exactly in the mood for mingling, especially since he was trying to avoid the Autumn sprites the best he could and stay low, but Tooth seemed like she really wanted to introduce him, and Jack couldn't bring himself to say no.

"Okay," said Jack. "Where are they?"

Tooth led Jack near the Christmas tree where a group of mice—mice?—were sitting. Some were nibbling on cheese while a couple were talking to each other. Jack turned to Tooth curiously, and the Tooth Fairy smiled and gestured to them.

"Jack, these are the mice that are part of the European division of teeth collecting," she said. The mice turned around and acknowledged the winter spirit with nods and cheerful squeaks. Jack waved and smiled.

"So, you guys deliver teeth too?" asked Jack. The mice nodded and then pointed to Tooth, squeaking so quickly that Jack couldn't comprehend what they were saying. Although, he couldn't understand what they were saying anyway since they were speaking through squeaks and squeals.

Tooth on the other hand, was able to understand what they were saying. The Tooth Fairy nodded as each mouse spoke and would occasionally squeak a response back. Toothiana could speak in many different animal languages. She was most fluent in bird, but she could also comprehend other different animal species as well. Jack guessed that mice was one of those languages.

Tooth laughed and then she turned to Jack. 'They're asking who you think is better at collecting teeth. My fairies, or them?"

"Well, I haven't seen you guys actually collect teeth," replied Jack with a small chuckle. "But I think you're probably just as good at your jobs as Tooth and her fairies are."

The mice seemed satisfied by that answer, and one of them squeaked something to Tooth. The Tooth Fairy shook her head.

"My fairies are back at the Tooth Palace," she said. "But I'll tell them you said hello!"

The mice nodded, satisfied, and then they returned to eating their cheese and talking amongst themselves. Tooth smiled and turned to Jack.

"They've been wanting to meet you for a while," she said. "So, when they heard that you'd be here, I had to introduce you."

Jack smiled. "It was nice meeting them. I honestly thought that only you and your fairies delivered the teeth until you mentioned the European division at one of the Guardian meetings."

Tooth nodded. "We don't encounter each other much. The mice usually help us out if we're extra busy and need an extra pair of hands…er…paws."

"That makes sense," said Jack. "Fairies and mice. That's kind of an unlikely tooth collecting duo."

Tooth shrugged. "They work really well together! Well, most of the time. Sometimes things get competitive between the two."

"Like how things did while we were collecting the teeth?" asked Jack. He laughed lightly at the teeth collecting memory. He still laughed about it every once and a while.

Tooth giggled. "Yes, just like that!"

Jack was about to ask Tooth something when he spotted the Autumn sprites standing not too far away. They hadn't spotted him yet, but Jack wanted to move out of their range before he was caught.

"Uh, anyway, I'm going to go and grab something at the buffet table," said Jack quickly.

Tooth cocked her head. "Is something wrong?"

Jack shook his head. "No, I'm just in the mood for a snack," he said. He walked off before Tooth could question him further, and Jack wondered how she was able to notice that something was off.

I really wish the Guardians didn't know me so well, he thought as he approached the buffet table again. The winter spirit leaned against the wall and sighed, running a hand through his hair. He needed to do something. It was either to tell the Guardians about the looming threat that the Autumn sprites had given him or leave the party before North could announce his Guardianship. He didn't know if the ex-Cossack would be disappointed with him if he suddenly disappeared, but Jack didn't want to cause any trouble or ruin the party for the Guardians. They had worked so hard to make it happen, and they seemed to be having a lot of fun.

Jack was torn. The best option seemed to be to tell the Guardians what had happened with the Autumn sprites, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. The winter spirit wanted to stay at the party, even though none of the other immortals and spirits seemed to want to talk to him, and he had to be there so North could reveal his new status as a Guardian. Jack didn't want to break the tradition, but the others had said that he didn't have to go along with it if he didn't want to.

But it seems a little too late for that now, thought Jack, but he was sure that North would make an exception. The winter spirit straightened out. He was going to find North and request to not have his Guardianship announced. It seemed like the better option compared to telling the Guardians about something that had happened weeks ago, and it wasn't like they could do anything about it now.

Jack drew in a breath and walked into the large crowd of immortals and spirits. May and her spring spirits were talking with a group of fairies, Tooth had continued her conversation with the mice, Emily Jane was conversing with Sandy, and Bunny was impatient listening to Groundy explain the importance of Groundhog Day. Jack did not see North anywhere, and the winter spirit wondered where he was.

Jack decided to ask one of the Guardians. He looked around cautiously for any sign of the Autumn sprites, and then he approached Sandy and Emily Jane. Mother Nature let out a laugh after Sandy produced his last image, and then turned to Jack with a friendly smile.

"Hello again, Jack," she said.

"Hi, Emily Jane," greeted Jack politely. "Do you two know where North is?"

Sandy shook his head and produced the image of an arrow pointing to the buffet table. "I saw him near the buffet table earlier."

"Hm, I'm pretty sure I saw him near the stage," said Emily Jane. "I suggest that you check there."

Sandy nodded in agreement and Jack thanked them both before leaving the two to their conversation. Jack hoped that North was somewhere nearby; he didn't know how much longer he'd be able to evade the Autumn sprites. The winter spirit wondered if they had already spotted him and were already planning on doing something to him.

Jack shook that thought out of his head as he made his way toward the stage. Moonlight was still pouring through the large window, and Jack took the slightest amount of solace in its light. Jack looked around and spotted North standing just a few feet away from him. Jack smiled with relief, and he ran up to North.

"North! Thank the moon I found you," said Jack in a rush.

"Vell, hello, Jack!" said North happily. "How iz the party going for you?"

"Pretty fine, I guess," replied shook his head. "Anyway, I need to tell you something…About announcing my Guardianship—"

North smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ah! That iz coming up soon! Are you excited?"

"Um…nervous is a better way to put it," said Jack. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I wanted to tell you that I don't—"

"Do not vorry, Jack," said North reassuringly. "Things vill be fine! The other and I vill be there the whole time!"

"I know," said Jack. The winter spirit really wished that North would let him finish his sentences. "But I still don't want—"

Unfortunately, the winter spirit was interrupted once again, but not by North. The clock that hung on the wall nearby chimed midnight. North grinned and turned to Jack.

"It iz time," he said. "I vill go and get the others, and you can vait here, da?" And before Jack could stop him, North walked off to gather the other Guardians. Jack dropped his arm to his side dejectedly. It was too late. There was no turning back now.

Jack sighed and was about to walk away to find the other Guardians when he felt a steely glare that made the hair on his neck stand on end. The winter spirit turned around slowly to spot none other than Autumn standing behind him. Jack gripped his staff tightly and glared at Autumn sharply.

"Jack Frost," she said. "I thought I told you not to come here if you knew what was good for you."

"You did," said Jack coolly. "But I'm known for rebelling."

Autumn clicked her tongue and Jack knew that whatever was coming next, he wasn't going to like. He wasn't in the mood for fighting Autumn, especially not in front of a crowd. As much as Jack hated to admit it, she was really skilled when it came to fighting, and he had only managed to get her to back off once or twice whenever he encountered her.

Jack's staff glowed with blue energy, but he managed to keep his emotions under control and the glowing stopped. The winter spirit let out a slow breath and faced Autumn sharply.

"Look," said Jack. "I didn't do anything wrong. Besides, it's Christmas. Do you really want to get on the Naughty List at the last second?"

"I'm not a child, Frost," said Autumn.

Jack shrugged. "Still, if you fought me here and now, it wouldn't be very good for you, would it?"

Autumn seemed to think for a moment, but her brown eyes still flashed with abhorrence for the teenage winter spirit.

"Fine," she said at last. She took an aggressive step forward, which made Jack step back. "But we're not finished yet. Don't think for one second that you're safe once you leave this place."

Jack watched as Autumn walked off, her long, orange dress of leaves flowing behind her. The Guardian of Fun frowned; he really didn't like Autumn. And she really wasn't going to like the fact that he was a Guardian. The winter spirit turned to the door, wondering if he should leave the celebration after all.

All too soon, though, North and the other Guardians returned. Jack quickly put on a feign smile, but he knew that Bunny and Tooth were already somewhat suspicious of him.

"Hey, guys," said Jack.

"Hi, Jack!" greeted Tooth cheerfully. "Are you ready?"

"I guess," said Jack, but he really wasn't. He wasn't ready for this at all, and it took a lot of willpower for him not to bolt for the door and leave.

"Ya sure, mate?" asked Bunny. "Ya look a little tense."

Jack nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure," he lied.

North smiled. "Great! Let us go on stage to get everyone's attention."

The Guardians began to get on stage, but Jack tarried. The winter spirit gulped and then began to walk up the stairs. He felt anxious. More anxious than ever. Jack had no idea how the other immortals and spirits would react to him being a Guardian, and Jack hoped that things wouldn't go too badly.

Still, Jack couldn't help but tug at his cloak nervously as he stood on the stage amongst the other Guardians. Jack thought of hiding behind one of the Guardians, but he knew that he would still be seen. The Guardian of Fun stood stiffly in between North and Tooth. Sandy floated next to Tooth while Bunny stood next to North.

"Are you sure you're okay, Jack?" asked Tooth worriedly. Jack looked up at her. "If you don't want this, I'm sure North wouldn't mind calling this off."

Jack chewed his lower lip. Yes, he didn't want his Guardianship to be announced anymore, but it seemed that it was already too late to turn back. But if Tooth said that North wouldn't mind if he changed his mind…

Jack ran a hand through his hair. "I—"

But it was too late. North clapped his hands together and everyone in the room turned their attention to the stage. Jack shifted on his feet and looked out toward the large crowd. There were hundreds and hundreds of immortals and spirits who had their eyes glued to the stage. Jack didn't miss some of the disdainful looks that he got, and he spotted a couple of immortals whispering amongst themselves and pointing to him. Jack did his best to ignore them.

"Hello, everybody!" bellowed North. The immortals and spirits returned North's greeting happily. "It iz good to see all of you! I hope you all have enjoyed the party so far!"

The guests in the room smiled and said that they have been having a good time. North grinned and then continued. Jack couldn't help but grip at his staff. This was it.

"This year's Christmas has been a great one, and something that has made it even better iz that ve have someone new who has joined our circle of Guardians."

Everyone in the room quieted, and their eyes turned toward Jack; the winter spirit could tell what they were thinking. It isn't true, is it? Jack Frost? A Guardian?

And their suspicions were confirmed when North finished his little speech. "This person has helped us defeat Pitch Black during his short reign, and I cannot think of anyone else who is more deserving of this role." North stepped aside, a large smile on his face as he gestured to Jack. "I present to you the fifth Guardian of Childhood, the Guardian of Fun, Jack Frost!"

Jack turned to the crowd in front of him. There was a long period of silence. Only Emily Jane respectfully nodded to Jack, and she seemed to disapprove of the reaction that everyone else displayed. No one clapped. No one cheered. Everyone only stared at Jack in utter and complete shock, and they seemed to disapprove of his new status as a Guardian.

The first to break the silence was none other than Autumn. "Jack Frost? A Guardian?! Seriously?!"

"What was the Man in the Moon thinking?" exclaimed a Summer sprite.

"All he does is mess with the other seasons and causes unwanted blizzards!" said one of May's spring spirits. And even though May didn't say anything, she seemed to agree with him.

"Why was he chosen anyway?" asked a fairy.

"The Man in the Moon must've been crazy when he chose him!" hollered another.

Jack knew that this would happen, but he couldn't help but feel hurt by every single comment that everyone said. He tried to ignore them. But those old doubts from 300 years ago began to stir up again. Jack squeezed his eyes shut.

I-I shouldn't have come… thought Jack. The winter spirit gripped at his staff and ice spread from where he stood. I should've just stayed at my lake and spent Christmas alone…

The Wind howled and before anyone could say anything else, Jack was gone. Only a small patch of frost was left where he once stood.


Author's Note: So...um...yeah...Poor Jack. =( *Bangs head into wall* Why do I mess with my favorite characters like this? Why?!

*Clears throat* Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter (and I promise, things shall get better for Jack =)) and I'll see you guys in the next one! =D

Until the next chapter!

-BeyondTheMoon1203