A/N: I forgot to put this in the other chapter. All items that are mentioned from either movies or books belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 2

As a few days passed, Adora realized that it was finally Christmas Eve. It didn't feel any different because she had already had a horrible time at school that week. She just wanted to forget it all and get home.

"I can't wait to get home," she smirked, now walking down the library stairs. She was studying for finals, but she knew that the evening air was getting darker and it was time for her to head home.

"Heading home, loser?" A guy bully sneered, now walking out into the open.

"Get away from me," Adora hissed.

"That shouldn't be too hard," another girl bully laughed out.

"Yeah, no one wants to be near you anyway; no one cares about you!"

"And no one likes you!"

"Shut up!" Adora shouted, now feeling tears streaming down her face.

"It's true!" A bully shouted.

"The whole world and school would be better if you weren't here!" Another said darkly.

Those last words made Adora so angry that tears streamed down her face; she could feel rage pouring into her heart and her eyes almost turned red in anger.

"Oh…is the baby angry?" A bully jeered at her, now coming closer.

"Maybe that's why she's with a foster family; no one cares about adopting a loser like her," another bully said.

"Maybe she's even the reason why her real parents died," another said.

That made Adora lose her mind! She let out an animalistic cry and lunged at the bullies! It was a terrible fight! It was two against one, but Adora didn't care! She was tired of everything and she began to fight harder and harder! She felt the punches and the swings, but she gave plenty of her own too. It wasn't long before she heard one of the bullies shout in shock and she was shoved to the side for safety. She turned over her shoulder and wiped her curly brown hair from her face and gasped in surprise! Justin, her foster brother, was taking on both bullies!

"NO!" She shouted, not wanting him to get hurt. She ran in the fight once more and did a self-defense kick that made the girl bully fall backwards and writhe on the ground, clearly almost unconscious. And then one punch from Justin made the guy bully fall back and run for safety. Before Adora could say a word, Justin grabbed her hand and took off for their house.

"J-Justin, slow down!" She said, trying to keep up despite his limp he got in the fight.

"You could've been killed taking those two on; they're crazy enough as it is," Justin said, but his words sounded slurred. Now alarmed, Adora made him stop and he was jerked back. As he turned back, he met the concerned eyes of Adora. Her eyes were wide open and bloodshot and they became wider as she saw Justin's face. He had a black eyes, a bloodied nose, and cuts on his face. She could tell he was in a fight before he came to help her. And the reason for his slurred speech was the slight blood from his nose that dripped in his mouth as he was talking.

"What happened to you…," she said in a horrified whisper.

"Adora…," he said.

"What. Happened." She said seriously.

"I-It's nothing," he said. But she jerked him closer and saw he wasn't being truthful.

"You were in another fight because of me weren't you?!" She gasped.

"Adora…," he said.

"WEREN'T YOU?!" She said in a shout, tears pouring from her eyes once more.

"It wasn't your fault!" He said, now trying to grab her arm but she pulled away from him.

"Yes it is! You'll get seriously hurt one day because of me! Just like my parents!" She said, now backing away and crying more.

"Adora, stop!" He said, now becoming angry. "That's not true!"

"YES IT IS! I'M DONE WITH THIS!" She said, now taking off as fast as she could. Justin was hot on her heels and even though he could outrun her, his leg was injured from the fight so that slowed him down even more.

"Adora! Stop!" He begged, now trying to keep up. But his voice made her go even faster and faster! It wasn't long before she made it to the house and burst through. Everyone was shocked at her sudden movements, but she shot to her room like a cannonball and locked the door. She began throwing clothes into a bag and her eyes were almost blinded by her tears. She had finally made up her mind to run away.

As she packed, it wasn't long before she heard the gentle knocks on the door. It was the smaller children trying to get her to come out. But she sadly ignored the gentle calls to open the door. She knew, however, that she had to move fast because she heard the door open. She knew her foster parents were back inside from the backyard. They usually were in the backyard putting up decorations when she got home from school and she heard the younger ones telling them that something was wrong with her!

"No!" She whispered in shock. As she slowly opened her window and began to climb out, she heard them heading the way up the stairs. But what was strange was that she saw no sign of Justin; he should have been home by now. Well, that could wait. She was sure he was somewhere safe.

"She's up here!" One of the younger ones said, now leading the way to her room. But by the time they got to her door, Adora had climbed out the window, down the tree, and landed in the front yard! She was about to go faster when she noticed that there was something strange in the front yard. The snowman was gone! But what she saw next was interesting. There were slide marks; it was as if the 'snowman' slid away by itself. Curious, she began following the slide marks and where they led. After all, it's not like she had a home anymore since she was running away.

The slide marks began to lead far into the woods and for a second, she was too afraid to follow. It was dark and going into the woods was too dangerous. But she paused as she saw the slide marks slowly move into an open part of the forest and near the pond. The pond was known for being a beautiful landmark of the town; she somehow felt safe with approaching it. Even at night.

As she walked into the night and towards the sparkling water, she gasped and her eyes widened. The slide marks were changing into something very unexpected; they changed into human footprints!

"T-This is impossible," she said, now crouching and looking at how the prints started to change.

"Is it?" A deep voice cooed. Adora's head shot up and she grabbed a nearby stick, ready to fight.

"Who's there?! Show yourself!" She shouted, now shaking.

"Adora…," it cooed. "Do not fear."

"SHOW YOURSELF NOW!" She shouted angrily. "I mean it!"

But all she felt was a gentle breeze run by her ears and the wind seemed to guide her face. As she turned, her eyes widened in shock and wonder! For there was the snowman she had made! It had the same hat, nose, and other items she put on him! But she noticed that he was changing. His bottom half was falling off and forming 'legs' and the rest of him was slowly shifting into a more human-like body.

Now completely terrified, Adora let out a shout of fear and ran back towards the direction she came. But as she turned, her eyes widened! The way she came disappeared! She had no idea how to get back home! Now turning to face the being, she saw a powerful gust of wind and snow surround the snowman from head to toe. Once the snow stopped swirling, Adora's mouth dropped open in shock. She saw not a snowman standing there, but a person!

He was tall with pale white skin like the snow and his hair was pure white and down his back. His eyes were ice-blue and his ears were slightly pointed. He wore no shoes and white form-fitting pants and a pirate-like pure white shirt.

"Hello, Adora~, I'm glad I found you," the being said. Adora turned and tried to run but a pile of snow formed and pinned her feet to the ground! She couldn't move!

"GAH! Let go!" She shouted.

"Not until we talk," the being said, now moving towards her. "Come now…there's no need to panic."

"Who are you?! You just popped out of my snowman!" She said in horror.

"I'm the prince of the snowmen. My name is Glacier," he said, now getting closer to her and gently rubbing her face. "You don't have to fear me."

After a few seconds of panicking, she slowly began to calm down. She couldn't run anyway, so there was little she could do. But something about him was strangely familiar; she couldn't put her hand on it, but he was just…familiar.

"W-Why did you come?! How did you get here?!" She asked, now eyeing him carefully.

"I have come because you need my help." He said.

"Help? Help?! I could've used your help when I got beat up a few days ago and today!" she said angrily.

"I understand. But you must understand that being a guardian means that we can't always step in immediately. There are some things that you all must face before we can step in assist," Glacier explained. "And trust me, I have helped you before. You were just unaware."

"How? When?" She asked, now not sure if she believed him.

"I can't explain that now, but in time you will understand." He answered.

"But why?! Why didn't you come today? I know you all have a specific time and all but I really needed help," she said, now hanging her head. "Especially now."

"Now?" Glacier asked, now gently touching her face, but she turned away.

"Yes…I've caused my step-brother so much trouble. He would be better off without me," she said, tears in her voice. Glacier let the snow release her legs and then he picked her up. With a squeak, she gasped as he picked her up and began to walk deeper into the forest.

"That is nonsense; you don't know the lengths he would go to protect you," he said, now cuddling her.

"How do you know?" She asked.

"I know the thoughts and intentions of man. You are going to come with me for tonight and learn about what Christmas is really about," Glacier said, now whistling and a few other snowmen began to come out and greet the newcomer. She couldn't help but smile as she saw that the snowmen looked almost like the one she made of Glacier. They had on top hats, carrots for noses, coal for buttons, and various types of beads, scarves, and colorful items in them.

She giggled as they came out and paraded around, trying to make her giggle and smile.

"They are welcoming you; you are going to enjoy being part of the snowmen clan this Christmas," Glacier smiled, now carrying her towards a nearby fireplace. But instead of fire, there was a swirling mist of snowflakes.

"It's beautiful here," Adora said, now looking around and feeling the prince place her down.

"Thank you; we will begin with some festivities and then we will show you our view of the town at night," Glacier chuckled, now motioning for some of the snowmen to come forward. She saw them bring their prince cleaning supplies and began to clean the wounds on her face. The cool cloths and herbs made her moan in happiness, but she also let out a small sneeze. She didn't exactly dress for the weather. She had on cloth black boots, a thin purple jacket, a thin blue skirt, and thin black leggings.

"Well…that won't do," Glacier said, now motioning his hand and Adora felt a silk, smooth furry hat and a long furry white coat forming on her. It shone as bright as the snow surrounding them and she couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you! This is beautiful, Your Highness!" she said, now finally forming a real smile and trying to shake his hand. Glacier only chuckled and pulled her in for a hug.

"We hug here; no handshakes…and you're welcome…," he smiled, now nuzzling into her. Adora blushed a bit, not accustomed to cuddles, but the prince hugged her more. "Relax…you need this."

"B-But I'm just a regular girl…why did you choose me?" She asked, now looking at him and gently leaning on him. "I-I've never had someone to care like this…,"

"You do have a step-brother, do you not?" The prince asked.

"I do, but I have caused him enough trouble," she said. The prince arched an eyebrow.

"You don't know how he feels, little one…he would lay down his life for you," Glacier said. "I have already told you this earlier."

"How do you know, Your Highness?" She asked, trying to be respectful.

"First off, you can call me Glacier. Second, let's just say I know just as much about him as I know about you…perhaps more so," Glacier smirked, now moving her hair from her face. Adora nodded, but was confused on how this special being knew she needed help. But that could wait! The Christmas celebration was about to begin! It wasn't long before they began passing out cocoa and cookies! How delicious and sweet the treats were! Adora hadn't been this happy in a long time!

"This is great!" She said, now eating a cookie shaped like a star.

"And that's not all! We have a few types of cake here as well," Glacier chuckled, now passing her a few pieces of ginger cake and chocolate cake! Adora smiled and cried a few happy tears because she felt like she was a child again! She was feeling the real joy of Christmas like she used to! Like when she would make the ginger bread cookies with her mother!

"Are you alright?" Glacier asked, now pulling her to him.

"It's been so long since I've had this much fun on Christmas," she said, now looking at him and wiping her tears.

"Well, the night isn't over, my friend," he chuckled, now pointing into the distance. Adora's eyes widened in shock as she could hear the faint whistle of a train!

"Y-You mean…," she said in shock.

"Yes, my dear…let's just say you and I and a few of my friends here are going to have some fun on the Polar Express," Glacier chuckled.

"But this is not an adventure to see Santa Clause. You are now too big for that. But the Polar Express can be used for other things too."

"Like what?" She asked.

"Like going through towns unseen and showing you what the real meaning of Christmas is," Glacier chuckled, now leading her towards the sound of the train whistle. As Adora stood up and followed, she let out a squeal of surprise as a large black train thundered through the forest and came to a stop a few yards from their forest party. Almost immediately, the snowmen began excitedly getting on the train and motioning for Glacier and Adora to follow. She was somewhat afraid, but Glacier placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Do not be afraid; this will be a wonderful night for you. I promise," he said, now making her look at him. She could tell he was serious and she then nodded to him.

"I trust you," she said, now holding his hand and heading towards the train. This was the beginning of a wonderful adventure that was about to take place!

guestsurprise's words: Glacier and Adora have met! Now it is time for the Christmas adventure to continue! :) Hope you all are enjoying it so far and Merry Christmas!

To guestsurprise: I must say I'm on board for this adventure. :) Also, for some reason, I get the feeling that Glacier is Justin or he is friends with Justin. Could it be? Hmm, I guess we'll wait and see. :)

To everyone else: Please leave guestsurprise a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418