Hey, guys! Welcome back to RFL 2: Into the Dark! Couldn't update last week 'cause I had to finish up a ton of projects for school, but here I am, now with only one final exam remaining before I'm free for the summer! Woo! Anyway, let's get to the reviews!

Thanks so much to Loftcat27, Prince Maggie (Thank you so much for the kind words! It really means a lot :), and WinterCrystal1009 (Heh, you'll see what happens! ;) And yes, Simon did deserve it XD) for reviewing!

With that, on with the chapter!

Chapter 13: Guardian Update

Beginner's General Magic

By Felix Arcana

Basic Utility Spells

Fire Charm

Incantation: Fuegara Minima

Creates a small, controllable flame able to fit in the palm of one's hand. Not to be confused with Fuegara Maxima, which creates a much larger, potentially dangerous flame.

Water Purification Charm

Incantation: Aquapristenne

Removes natural toxins from a water source in order to render it safe for consumption. Will also detect and destroy most known man-made poisons.

Sun Charm

Incantation: Helisolus

Forms a non-harmful, extremely compressed version of the sun's rays to nurture plant growth and provide warmth.

Silencing Charm

Incantation: Silentotalis

Charm with two uses. When used on a room or other enclosed area, soundproofs the walls. When used on another person, disables their voice until counterspell is used.

Pathfinding Charm

Incantation: Naviterra

When given a destination, forms a glowing trail of light only visible to the user that will lead them to the indicated area. Only works over land masses.

Clairvoyance Charm

Incantation: Clairvoyus [Person's name]

Allows extrasensory perception of a particular person from afar. Works the best with events transpiring at present as well as moments in the past, but can also divine possible future events to skilled mages on rare occasions.

()()()()

Over the course of the next couple of hours, Cynthia and Lily led Jack and Simon around the city, first leading them through the hallways they were closest to, showing them each business and other non-residence, including but not limited to a tailor, a stable (Jack was quite happy to see that Zephyr had been brought here and was being treated quite well, along with Simon's gray mare), an apothecary, food storage, and a center for magical research. Lily spoke up quite animatedly while they visited this last area in particular, and Jack couldn't help but smirk at the way Simon listened with rapt attention to every word the young woman had to say.

Simon, of course, made a point of ignoring Jack entirely upon noticing his smug expression, which only made the young Guardian grin more widely.

Eventually, however, when he at last let his mind shift away from teasing Simon, Jack realized that Lily just might be able to help him restore contact with the Guardians. He himself did not know any other type of magic than that which he was born with, but...perhaps she could help him. He only hoped that she wouldn't refuse him due to the fact that he was technically a prisoner.

"Excuse me, Miss Callia?" Jack began tentatively, lifting his hand slightly to get her attention. "I don't mean to be rude, but...may I ask a favor of you?"

Lily smiled slightly and nodded. "Of course, what do you need?" she asked. "And please, you can just call me Lily."

Jack returned the slight smile. "Lily," he amended, then proceeded with his request. "I realize I might be overstepping my boundaries here a bit, but...do you happen to have a method through which I can contact the other Guardians of Childhood? I was supposed to return to them a while ago...they're probably worried about me."

At this, Lily hesitated. "Well…" she began slowly, pulling her braid over one shoulder and fiddling with the end of it. "I…" She sighed. "Listen, I really would love to help...but the Council sent out a message last night that neither of you were to leave or to have contact with the outside world until they get your story confirmed...that's not to say that we all don't trust you, of course. I, for one, believe that you're telling the truth, and I know others that do as well. It's just...precautions, you know…? You're the first outsiders we've seen in years...it's not surprising many don't quite trust you"

Though Jack's heart sank, he somehow managed to keep a straight face. "I understand," he said grimly. "But this is extremely important...if you really do believe me like you say, I'm begging you...there must be something that can be done…"

Lily still seemed reluctant for a few moments before her azure eyes lit up in realization. Her smile returned as she looked up at Jack and nodded. "Actually...I think there is," she told him. "I still can't let you contact them...but I can let you see them with a Clairvoyance Charm. And...who knows? Maybe something they say could confirm your story!"

Jack grinned in relief, nodding in response. "Thank you, Lily," he said gratefully. "That...really means a lot."

She smiled. "It's no problem," she assured him. "Now, come over here and I'll cast the charm. Cynthia, Simon, you two can watch as well, if you'd like."

Cynthia instantly nodded enthusiastically and rushed to Lily's side, while Simon started in surprise at the sound of his name. "U-Um…" he stammered, unable to find words until he noticed Jack once again smirking in his direction. Then, his eyes narrowed and he cleared his throat, straightening his posture and overall composing himself to reply, "Ah...yes. I would indeed like to observe the spell."

Jack found it difficult to hold back his snickers.

Lily, for her part, did not comment on the archer's behavior, instead closing her eyes and holding out her hands in front of her. Then, she paused, briefly opening one eye to glance over at Jack. "Do you want to see a particular Guardian?" she asked. "I have to give the spell a specific person's name for it to work properly."

After a moment's thought, Jack replied, "Mhm...Nicholas St. North might be best."

North is probably the most likely to provide information if on his own… Jack mentally acknowledged. And he is also the most likely to call the others in for a meeting...with any luck, he'll at least be conversing with one of the others so we can glean more context from their conversation.

"Alright," Lily said, closing her eye once more. "Here goes...Clairvoyus Nicholas St. North." As she spoke the incantation, her hands began to glow a soft white, and as she began slowly waving them in small circles in front of her, a white mist began to form around them. Then, once the mist had spread a considerable amount, vague colors began to appear within its center.

Jack's eyes widened as the colors melded together, forming into an image of none other than Nicholas St. North and E. Aster Bunnymund standing in the main chamber of the Soluna City Guardian headquarters. Within moments, their echoing voices also began to emanate from the mist.

()()()()

"-I'm tellin' ya, mate," Aster was saying, arms crossed over his furry chest. "There hasn't been any sign of the kid for almost two weeks. None whatsoever. Like he just...vanished."

North's eyebrows furrowed in worry as he paced back and forth anxiously. "He should have been back long before now…" he murmured, stroking his short beard.

Aster scowled. "Ya think?" he muttered sarcastically. "So...what are we gonna do? Can't just sit here forever and hope he'll show up at the door. Frostbite's probably got himself lost in the desert somehow...and that ain't good for a sprite, even one with a coolin' gem."

"You are right," North responded gravely, coming to a halt and turning to face the Pooka. "We need to go after him. Jack is strong boy...I am sure he is still alive. But if he really is lost in desert as you say...we must move quickly. And because of this...I think is time to break out sleigh once more!"

The Motorean's eyes widened in horror. "Whoa, whoa, mate, hold up!" he protested, clearly alarmed. "I, ah...think takin' horses or even lettin' me make a tunnel might be faster! And, um...and safer!"

North merely waved him off, rolling his eyes. "Do not be silly!" he said firmly. "Running under or on ground is slower than flying above. Will be much easier with sleigh!"

"Ya haven't used the bloody death trap in years! How do ya even still know it's functional!?"

The man shrugged. "We will have to see," was his only reply, to which Aster groaned in anguish. Seemingly oblivious to the rabbit's plight, North added, "Once Tooth and Sandy return we will all go together."

"I'd rather run separately," Aster muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, North became serious, reaching out and placing a hand on his fellow Guardian's shoulder. "Is no time for complaints, Aster," he said firmly, a sort of steely determination in his eyes. "We...we must find Jack. He is one of us...he is family now. We will not lose him so easily."

For a time, Aster was silent. Then, he sighed, shoulders slumping momentarily before he straightened and met North's gaze.

"Alright, mate," he said, matching North's resolve. "Let's go get Frostbite."

()()()()

Even as the mist faded, Jack couldn't help but continue to stare in shock at where it had once been.

Family… he thought numbly. They...consider me family…

The boy's stunned thoughts were interrupted by Lily speaking softly as she lowered her hands and opened her eyes. "So then...you truly are a Guardian," she said, turning to look at him. "And...they're looking for you."

"Yes…" Jack forced himself to answer, despite the fact that his head was still spinning slightly from the charm's revelations. "I haven't lied to any of you once...I am a Guardian of Childhood, and...I need to get back to the others."

Lily paused for a moment as though in thought, then gave a slight smile and a nod. "Then...I'll do my best to vouch for you," she promised. "Both you and Simon, even. I can use this spell to recall that same scene once more for the councilmembers, and I'm sure I can find something in Simon's past to confirm his innocence as well. After that...if all goes well, they'll let you two go free."

Shaking off his earlier shock, Jack smiled as well. "Thank you so much, Lily, honestly...you've been a huge help," he said. Then, he sharply nudged Simon, who was staring at Lily once more, in the side.

After a startled grunt of pain, the one-armed archer quickly snapped out of his previous dreamlike state, quickly stuttering, "Y-Yes, I...th-thank you, Lily...this means more to me than I can say."

Jack, for one, rolled his eyes, but Lily at least seemed to appreciate the gratitude, as she smiled and said, "You're both very welcome. I'll be sure to-"

Suddenly, a new, familiarly sharp voice sounded from the entrance to the room. "Jack Frost! Over here! Now!"

After recovering from the brief shock brought on by the voice's suddenness, Jack turned around to see Arios Fletcher standing in the entryway, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "My father wants to see you," he explained shortly, his tone laced with hostility and distrust. "He wants to check on your health once more before allowing you to return to your tour. Evidently-" His lip curled in disgust as he continued speaking. "-I'm to accompany you back to your room to ensure that you make it there." He rolled his cobalt eyes and mumbled under his breath, "Don't know why the fool can't come get you himself…"

Jack frowned slightly, a bit reluctant to leave, but figured that it couldn't hurt to appease Dr. Fletcher for now. The man's worrying over Jack since he had arrived in New Iskald was admittedly understandable for a doctor, and the boy supposed that his caretaker deserved to know that he was alright, especially after all the doctor had done for him.

"Very well," he replied with a nod. "Just give me a moment and I'll be right out."

Arios scowled slightly, but begrudgingly nodded. "Fine," he muttered. "Just don't waste my time." With that, he withdrew into the hallway to wait.

"My…" Simon mumbled, rolling his emerald eyes slightly. "What exactly is his problem?"

"No one really knows," Lily sighed. "He's just...always been paranoid and hostile to most…"

"He wasn't always like that…" Cynthia piped up softly, eyes trained on the ground. "I remember that he used to be sweet, and kind...but when we lost Mama in the fire six years ago...he changed…"

Jack practically felt his heart melt in his chest. He too knew what it was like to lose loved ones to the fires that had destroyed so many snow sprite villages six years prior, and he knew firsthand how the devastation of loss could so thoroughly change a person to the point of being almost unrecognizable.

Perhaps Arios isn't so bad… he thought with a frown. Perhaps he's merely hurt...just as I was…

Jack sighed and cleared his throat. "Cynthia...I'm so sorry for your loss…" he said softly.

"It's okay…" the girl responded quietly. "I don't remember it too much…"

"All the same...I'm sorry." Jack took a deep breath, resisting the urge to kneel down and give the poor girl a hug, as he was certain that any delay would only serve to provoke Arios' temper. Instead, he turned to Simon. "Stay here with Lily," he told the archer. "Try to find some sort of scenario she can find that will prove your innocence as well...I should be back soon."

Simon nodded. "Right," he said. "I'll see you soon."

Jack nodded as well. "See you soon," he echoed, then he turned to Lily once more with a slight smile. "Thank you once again, Lily. For everything."

She gave a smile of her own in return. "It's no problem at all," she told him. "I value truth...it wouldn't have been right to hold you two here for much longer without any proof of wrongdoing."

Jack found himself strongly agreeing with that sentiment.

After bidding quick goodbyes to the other three, Jack finally stepped out into the hallway to join Arios, who began leading him back to the boy's room without a word. The whole distance, in fact, was traveled in a silence that Jack was not willing to dare to break.

I don't really want to land myself even further on his bad side… he silently acknowledged. He's already suspicious enough of Simon and me...so much so that he seems to be trying to manipulate the other councilmembers into rejecting us. It would not be wise to anger him further…

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the two sprites reached the room Jack had been staying in. Arios moved ahead and opened the door, saying stiffly, "My father is right in here."

"Thank you," Jack said politely, nodding in Arios' direction. The older sprite, however, said nothing, merely scoffing and turning away. Jack gave a slight sigh, and, instead of bothering to speak to him once more, he entered the room, opening his mouth to greet Dr. Fletcher.

Only Dr. Fletcher was nowhere to be found.

Jack blinked in confusion and glanced around the empty room. "Er...Arios?" he said tentatively, beginning to turn back towards the door. "Your father doesn't appear to be in-"

THUD.

Jack saw stars as what felt like a fist collided with the back of his head, causing the room to spin and his knees to buckle as he fell forward to the ground with a gasp. Though his vision swam, he managed to struggle onto his back rather than his stomach just in time to see a figure standing over him.

"Oh, I know." Arios replied with a grin, his voice suddenly lower and somehow much, much darker, causing a stab of fear to course through Jack's entire being. "But I had to get you alone somehow, didn't I?"

A TRAP, A TRAP, A TRAP, Jack's mind practically screamed at him through his dizzy haze. GET UP, GET OUT OF THERE, RUN, HE'S GONNA-

"Lights out...Guardian."

For a brief moment, before Arios' boot collided with Jack's head, the young man briefly came into focus, allowing Jack to see and process a particular detail that made Jack's heart stop, all in the split second before his world went dark.

Arios' eyes were yellow.

...see you guys next time ;)

'Til then, Sapphire316, out.