Anonymous user: I'm sorry :( have a cookie to make you less sad.

This is a bit of an in between chapter, I've got to say that not much happens. Hope you still enjoy it though.

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The ceremony was beautiful. The brilliant blue and white curtains, crafted specially for this occasion, were drawn closed and candles decorated every corner of the room, glistening to give the impression of a thousand fireflies, casting fantastic shadows all around. A large, rectangular table lay in the middle of the room, covered with a hand-sewn ornate cloth. The blue thread depicting the patterns reflected the firelight like a shattered mirror, shining brightly and illuminating the room even more. Small, expertly crafted snowflakes hung from the ceiling, paying tribute to the real snow that could no longer fall.

The yetis all stood, gathered around the table, sombre looks adorning their faces. Even the elves, who could never quite be kept under control, were stood silently, understanding the seriousness of the situation. Small chimes echoed from the bells on their heads, ringing in unison to create a beautiful harmony.

The light was dim and the atmosphere was dark and gloomy- nobody dared to say a word. All eyes were focused carefully on the floor, no one sure of what to do. The table In front of them lay empty - it looked like it served for an evil purpose; it looked so cold, so lonely, like it was foreshadowing how everyone would eventually end up, when the end came. For Jack, the end had come to early.

The great doors leading into the room where the procession was being held creaked open loudly as the three Guardians arrived, Bunny carrying a lifeless Jack Frost in his arms. It was hard to believe that this was reality, that someone so pure and loving could be gone in such a horrific way. A hero to the end, that's what he was. But then again, it was selfish of him to leave in the way that he did; leaving such a huge void in the Spirit World. It had taken them all too long to realise it but life without Jack Frost: it was no fun. They'd been surviving, at most before he joined their little team and it was only then that they realised what they were missing. He was the flame that set them all alight. But the World had cruel ways and his flame was blown out before he had a chance to properly live.

Bunny placed his body ever-so-gently upon the table in the centre, carefully holding the back of his head so that he was not hurt. Not that he could feel any pain anymore, more just to be respectful. The tension in the room was so thick that you could slice through it with a knife. It was so silent and grim, even the candles seemed to dim, though they had only just been lit. As if they were paying respects themselves. Tears spilled down Tooth's face as she took in the sight of the young boy. He looked so peaceful, like he was sleeping. She tried to imagine him, living in a further afterlife, believed in and loved by all. She imagined that he was finally happy and that he was being given the love and attention that he had always deserved, but had never been gifted with in this life. But, deep down, she knew that this was the end and that he was gone: truly gone.

None of them could stop the tears as one of the yetis produced a large, crisp white sheet and placed it softly over his body, leaving just an outline of his frail figure. Silently, they all linked hands, bowing their heads and sending unspoken prayers to Man in Moon.

For a moment, it was as if the whole World stopped. The only movement was the slow swaying of the elves, the melancholy tune of the bells they held softly ringing. Outside, the Wind howled in agony and the Moon dimmed a few shades. The previously clear night sky was quickly covered by thick dark grey clouds, sending a hurricane of rain pouring down, drenching everything in its path. The snow that was left began to sink into the ground, turning into a greyish shade of sludge. Suddenly the grass didn't look so green anymore. The humans would look out of their windows and see a torrential downpour, but they would mistake it as the bad weather resulting from climate change. They didn't realise that the sky was crying, or that the Moon was mourning or that the creator of the snow was gone. As always, they remained oblivious.

If only the Guardians could be so ignorant - then they wouldn't have to deal with such a great loss. And not even just one loss, but two. It seemed as if Man in Moon was actually on Pitch's side.

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The body was transported to an unused guest room on the top floor of the Pole. In the Spirit World, you didn't bury bodies. There was no need – one moment they were there and the next, they were gone. No one really knew what happened to them; they just vanished, like they were never there. People suspected that it was Man in Moon, guiding their soul on. And then once their soul was gone, there was no need for a body anymore - after all, it was merely a vessel. That's what rumours said anyway, but the Guardians weren't keen to find out. As heart breaking as it was, they had to leave Jack alone.

"What do we do now?" Tooth asked quietly, shutting the door with a gentle click. She was only met with silence from her comrades and the distant sound of the yetis shuffling downstairs as they emptied the room. Everyone was on a break from toy production, no one was in the mood for it anyway. How could they be?

"We have to do something, Jack wouldn't want us to just sit here and mull, he'd want us to go out and fight. We may not feel like it, heck, I know I certainly don't, but it is our job as Guardians, and as decent people, to go and fight for what we believe in. We can't let Pitch win. If he does, that'll be the end and everything we've done will have been for nothing. We can't let him have that satisfaction," Though she was on the verge of tears yet again, Tooth knew that what she was saying was right. She would fight till her dying breath if it meant Jack and Sandy's deaths weren't in vain. "We have to avenge our friends."

They all knew she was right: they had a job, they were put here for a reason. They had taken an oath to protect the precious youngsters of the World and what was the point in them being on this earth if they abandoned that oath? Bunny and North sat up straight, both with a fearsome look in their eyes. She was right: they would be avenged. The children had believed in them for years, giving them life, without really knowing if they were there. Blind trust, it was the best kind. To have such strong faith in something or someone that might not even exist, it took real courage. Now it was the Guardian's turn to do the same. All they could do was hope that the faith of the children was strong enough.

Bunny decided he had experienced enough loss - all of them had. He would never let another being be hurt under his watch again, and certainly not by Pitch's hands. He would pay for what he had done.

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They found themselves in the Globe Room. It was darker than usual: the lights on the life-like sphere weren't quite as bright anymore, nor were they anywhere near as frequent. A grand total of twelve specks illuminated the Globe, all of which, bar two, were located in America. That would be their best shot. A plan hadn't really been sorted out yet but this was a start- Pitch was sure to be in the place with the most believers. Trying to drown them out, no doubt. The more fear he had, the more powerful he was. It was the same for the Guardians: their power came from the children's hopes, dreams and wishes. Pitch knew that by swallowing such precious aspects, he would rid them of their rule and, consequently, their lives. They could all feel the effect of the lack of belief. Tooth's wings were beginning to fail, North was growing weaker by the second and Bunnymund could practically feel himself transforming. But they still stood tall, determined. They would not give up.

So they made their way to North's sleigh, eight large reindeer stood proudly in front. It was magnificent, carved brilliantly up to the final detail. Bunny grabbed the rails, Tooth grabbed Bunny and North grabbed the reins.

"Ready?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"Ready." They both replied, a firm, unwavering look in their eyes.

With a swift flick of the wrist, they were off, making their way to Burgess, Pennsylvania. In his underground lair, Pitch shivered, a hint of fear quickly coming over him. They were coming for him.

And he would pay.

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Sorry that this chapter is a bit naff, I've had loads of schoolwork to do. Someone in the year above has covid so all of sixth form have been put in isolation for two weeks and, obviously, teachers are seeing this as an opportunity to double our work load. Hopefully the next chapter will be quicker (and better).

Hope everyone is safe and well :)

(Also if you could check out my other story that would be greatly appreciated)