Sorry guys, I would have submitted this over 24 hours ago but FFN was being stupid and wouldn't let me do anything.

Fight scenes are really hard, by the way. I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'VE REACHED OVER 600 REVIEWS THIS IS CRAZY! (shout out to kitty.0 for being #600!)

Oh, and SonYukiGoku'sSister, I can't believe I missed your birthday! Happy very belated birthday!

Disclaimed.

...

To Beat a Bunny (Winter vs. Spring)

...

Perhaps getting into a fight with the Easter Bunny hadn't been his smartest decision ever, Jack pondered as he and Bunny circled each other in an open field of the Warren. It wasn't that he wasn't good at hand-to-hand combat – especially since he was allowed the use of his staff; he had his own style, like a mix of free-running and kendo – Bunny was just much larger and stronger than he was. Not to mention Bunny knew pretty much every type of physical combat out there. He'd probably invented most of them.

But it wasn't like it was impossible for him to beat the Pooka, either. There were multiple times in history where speed and agility won out over strength. But Bunny was equal parts strength and speed. It would be an interesting match, to say the least.

Despite her earlier worries and protests, Tooth was watching from the sidelines with North and Sandy, anxiously wringing her hands as she followed their movements with her eyes.

So far neither of them had made a move against the other and Jack knew the importance of getting it right; the first move could mean your victory or equally your downfall, depending on how it was executed. But if he wanted a chance at victory, he would have to seize the opportunity if it presented itself.

Apparently Bunny had been thinking along similar lines for he suddenly charged forwards. Jack reacted quickly, dropping down onto his haunches to dodge the blow and whacking the rabbit in the shins with his staff. It wasn't a strong enough blow to knock Bunny off balance but it would have hurt.

This fight, he knew, would be a matter of stamina; who could hold out the longest. Because Jack would be dependent on wearing Bunny down with lots of small hits, he had to hope he could outmatch Bunny in terms of perseverance. Thankfully, 300 years of parkour and nimbleness were at his disposal.

After landing the blow, Jack didn't wait around. Springing forwards, he moved to face Bunny's back and, using his staff for balance, launched himself up in a high kick. But Bunny's reflexes were just as good as his own. In the blink of an eye he had turned around, dodged the blow and grabbed Jack's ankle in one of his paws.

Jack's eyes widened at the development and he flipped himself around in the air until the Pooka's arm twisted far enough that he was forced to let go. Jack jabbed the end of his staff against Bunny's forehead for good measure before quickly put some distance between them.

They started circling again.

This time it was Jack who initiated conflict, darting around to the left until the last possible moment when he suddenly switched trajectory, using his staff like a pole-vaulter and launching himself up and over Bunny's head, using him like a spring board. The Pooka staggered forwards a few steps before collecting himself and striking out in a back kick. Jack brought his staff up to block the blow, feeling the power of the contact vibrating through the aged wood and into his arms. What he wouldn't give to be able to freeze the kangaroo's foot right then. But, alas, rules were rules.

In one fluid movement, Jack loosened his grip on his staff, letting his hands slide down the length of the shaft until he was holding it nearly on the hook. Then, spinning it between his fingers, he hooked the end onto Bunny's ankle and flicked upwards with all the strength he could muster.

Having only been standing on one leg, Bunny was unprepared for the sudden shift in his balance and stumbled sideways. Jack followed through with a middle roundhouse to knock him over completely.

Unfortunately, Bunny didn't stay down. When Jack moved in to pin him, he rolled backwards, using both feet to kick out at Jack's chest and toss him back. While the winter spirit tried to regain his footing Bunny jumped forwards, dropping down low and kicking the kid's feet out from under him.

Jack landed on his back with a loud 'oof'. Bunny quickly pinned him down and held an elbow to his neck.

"Surrender?" he smirked.

Jack sighed in defeat, avoiding eye contact by tilting his head to the side. When he finally did look up at him, Bunny only had a split second to recognise the glimmer in the kid's eyes before he pounded a knee into Bunny's gut and said, "Not on your life, Cottontail."

While Bunny doubled over at the unexpected blow, Jack nimbly rolled away and scooped up his staff from where he'd dropped it as he got back to his feet.

Bunny couldn't help but smirk as he straightened once more, sizing up his opponent. The kid wasn't half bad, he'd give him that. But this was far from over and like hell he was going to let himself be beaten by a neophyte.

When Jack made to strike out with his staff, Bunny grabbed the shaft in both paws. He spared only a moment to smirk at the surprised look on Jack's face before he shifted to the side and flung the stick – and by extension Jack – over his shoulder and slammed him down into the grass a second time. Jack was much faster to react this time, however, and dodge rolled backwards, coming to rest on his feet, before Bunny could pin him again.

"You'll have to do better than that, rabbit," Jack taunted.

Bunny barely grunted in reply and drew one of his boomerangs. "This more to your liking?" he grinned, twirling the weapon like a baton.

"Now things are getting interesting."

Bunny launched the boomerang, which Jack easily blocked – not that he'd expected anything different. The distraction served its purpose. Dropping to all fours, the Pooka closed the distance between himself and his opponent and rolled to deliver an axe kick.

Jack, seeing the impending attack, darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow. Jumping up, he struck downwards with the butt of his staff, hitting the rabbit in the square of his chest before expertly balancing on the hook like an acrobat in a circus. Purely for showing off purposes, of course.

"Do you surrender?" he teased.

"When it's so easy to do this?" Bunny replied, knocking the staff and its boy off of him. Jack easily recovered, landing on his feet. "I don't think so, mate."

Jack just laughed and started running laps around him like some kind of sugar-high shark. Bunny supposed it was a tactic to try and make him dizzy (either that or to stay out of range long enough to find an opening), but with hearing like his, all he had to do was stand still. He did, however, subtly scoop up his fallen boomerang and toss it while the kid was distracted.

Jack must have gotten tired of all that running around because suddenly he was right behind him, using his staff for extra height as he jumped up to likely kick him in the back of the head. Bunny didn't even bother to move.

The boomerang clanged loudly as it struck Jack in the side of the head, knocking him off course and into a heap on the grass. Bunny quickly pulled Jack's arms behind his back and pressed one large foot between his shoulder blades.

"That was mean," Jack groaned.

"I didn't hit ya that hard," Bunny rolled his eyes. "You surrender?"

"Yeah, yeah, you win," Jack huffed. "Can I have my arms back now? This position isn't exactly comfortable."

Bunny snorted but let go, offering a paw to help him up. "Not bad, Frostbite. But you're still half a millennia too early to beat me. Don't take it personally; winter always gives way to spring, after all."

Jack grinned despite his loss, stretching his shoulders. "Well, don't expect me to go around calling you master or sensei. And like hell I'm going to say spring is better."

"You know," Bunny told him as they watched the others wander over (only Tooth looking worried), "if we'd used magic, ya prob'ly would've damn near beaten me. Possibly would have."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Sweet Tooth, are you okay?!" Tooth gasped when she finally reached him, instantly switching to mother-hen mode and checking him over for injuries (and making sure his teeth were as unmarred and perfect as ever).

"Relax, Tooth, I'm fine," Jack reassured her. "Might have a few bruises, though," he looked meaningfully at the Easter Guardian.

"You and me both, mate," Bunny snorted, stretching out his back. "For someone so scrawny you put up a decent fight."

"Was very good fight," North beamed. "And Jack, a bit of training and you'll go very far."

Sandy nodded in agreement.

"Come, we go back to Pole for hot chocolate; cold chocolate for you, though," he winked at Jack.

"Sounds good." Then, just to tick of Bunny, "Let's take the sleigh."

"Excellent idea!" North crowed at the same time a horrified Bunny said, "Not on your nelly."

They took the sleigh.

Guest Review Responses:

Hhujjjjjijjjiiju: :) I have no idea how to respond to that XD

Guest: Thank you :3

Guest:You know who you are, little munchkin. Naughtily deliberately making your name guest. Don't tempt me, I love complaining XD

Guest (who may or may not be one of the two mentioned above. I give up): (Ch.37:) I'd imagine so... (Ch.41:) Well, I don't think so - I can't picture him ever accepting the title, but I think the fact that he even has a Globe of Belief stands for something. I was just reading between the lines, so to speak. (Ch.43:) Glad I could make you laugh XD (Ch.46:) They're a bit creepy, hey? (Ch.48:) Like this: breathe in (take a breath) and breathe out (release breath) If you encounter any difficulties, please call the company hotline. (Ch.49:) See (Ch.43) (Ch.53:) He certainly did (I have no idea where it came from; it kinda just happened ^^;) (Ch.60:) ...omg you're right XD He doesn't, by the way. He's just prone to peer pressure and lack of sensible thinking. I'm afraid I can't answer that question fully, but I would take a guess and say spending it well by reading fan fiction? (Ch.65:) Yes. Run. While you still can. (Ch.65:) Well, that depends on what you think I'm going to do...

Guest: (the one who replied to my reply) Oh, goodness, no! I'll definitely try to keep him in character as much as I'm physically capable of doing! He'll still be the same old ratbag we love to hate ^^; Just, you know... maybe a little less 'world domination' and a little more 'fear is good for you'.

WEast: Ah, I see. That makes sense :P Yup, fight is now! I hope it's what everyone's been anticipating ^^; You mean like Loki? I've had a few people throwing the idea around (the result would of course be some form of the apocalypse, but hey why not?)

Cag: Hahaha that's awesome! That song sounds like one I should check out :3 *adds it to 'music to listen to' list* Thank you! I just need to motivate myself :P