A/N : Thank you for all the new reviews, faves and followers! :D


Baby Tooth's day couldn't have been any worse. First she received the devastating news about the incident with Pitch leading to Jack's current condition and then she was forced to undertake the Tooth Fairy's job. Despite the prospect of being allowed to visit her friend as soon as her mother was back to resume her duties again, the little hummingbird had to use her entire willpower to concentrate on the task in hand. And still her thoughts kept drifting off to the winter spirit, wondering how he was doing and if he would be alright again. Judging by Toothiana's expression the situation was grievous and it only fueled her worry even more. Several hours turned into an eternity and every other minute she glanced at the horizon the check if the taller fairy was finally coming back.

And then, when Baby Tooth's nerves were raw and she could barely focus on directing her sisters to lost teeth all over the world anymore, the Guardian of Memories eventually appeared in the distance. Not caring about her work the little fairy left the others behind dumbfounded and dashed towards her mother, who had almost reached the palace by now. Exasperated squeaks were immediately directed at her before she had the chance to greet her loyal helper.

„It's okay, hunny, calm down." Tooth spoke softly and raised her hands in a soothing gesture.

The tiny hummingbird-hybrid bombarded her with questions, honest concern evident on her features.

„No, he hasn't woken up yet. But everyone is doing what they can to help him."

Her voice was calm and steady and yet it was clear as day that she had a hard time keeping her composure. More high-pitched chirping sounds streamed out of the smaller fairy until Tooth stopped her and patted her head in a reassuring manner. A weak smile formed on her face as she did her best to appear optimistic.

"Jack will be alright. You have to believe in it. Now go and visit him, I'm sure he'll sense your presence."

As soon as she had gotten the official permission to leave the palace Baby Tooth darted off into the evening sky and set out for the North Pole as fast as her tiny wings could take her.


Jack stared at the brightly shining moon as he impatiently waited for his instructions. He was curious and anxious about the power control training, wanting to master it but being worried he would mess everything up again. No, those pessimistic thoughts wouldn't get him anywhere, he had to get rid of them. The moon's low and gentle voice echoed through the nightly forest and successfully drew the teen's attention back to him.

"Now, my boy, the time has come to teach you how to take full control of your powers. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I am." Jack said determined.

"Fine. Do you see the large rock over there at the lake?"

The young guardian glanced at the other waterside, then back at the moon and nodded.

"Yeah."

"Shoot your ice blasts at it."

Jack instinctively reached for the staff which wasn't there and hesitated for a moment, wondering how he was supposed to do this without it. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes in an attempt to concentrate. As he opened them again he raised his hands and pointed them at the rock to aim his winter magic at it, but nothing happened. Of course, he had failed. This was so typical, he cursed himself.

"You think too much. Your self-doubt is your own worst enemy." the moon stated sympathetically.

As if he didn't know that already. But actually changing an attitude that had been established for over 300 years was easier said than done.

"Remember what you have already done without your staff. Can you spread some frost on that tree on your left?"

"Uhm, I guess I can." Jack replied reluctantly.

He was afraid of failing again but he had covered so many windows, roofs, grounds and pretty much everything with frost in his eternal life, only by his mere touch and even when he wasn't holding the magical shepherd's crook in his hand. It was enough to prove him that he was indeed capable of doing it completely on his own. And so he had to tap the rough bark only lightly to coat it with a beautiful fern-like frost pattern which glistened in the moonlight. Relieved and somewhat proud he smiled at the moon.

"Very good." the deity spoke kindly.

"Now try to create a perfect snowball."

Jack did as he was told and grabbed a handful of snow, formed it into a ball and softly blew onto it. His cool breath immediately caused a magical blue shine on the snowball and once again the success of showing his powers made him feel more confident. The moon asked him to create more of them and the young immortal followed his command. When he explained the next step the white haired boy looked up at the sky dumbfoundedly because he assumed he had misheard something.

"Excuse me?"

"Juggle with the snowballs."

"Uhm, okaaaay..."

With a raised eyebrow Jack started throwing the four snowballs he had created in the air and caught them again one after the other. It was no big deal for him but got tiresome after a short while already.

"How's that supposed to help?" he wanted to know but as soon as the words had left his mouth the snowballs floated up in the air and out of his reach.

They flew directly in front of the moon, its light making it impossible for Jack to follow them as he had to blink his eyes. As he glanced around him for a moment one of them hurtled towards him and hit him on the shoulder.

"What the-"

Another snowball hit him square in the face and he brushed the icy remnants off his skin with the sleeve of his hoodie. He dodged the third one but as he did so the remaining one caught him off guard and landed on his back.

"Alright, what are you trying to-" the frost teen began as he noticed the last snowball darting at him from the corner of his eyes.

Reflexively he raised his hand at the snowy missile and before it became clear to him what he was doing, electric blue blasts of ice shot out of his fingers and destroyed the snowball when it was only a few feet away from him. Unbelieving about what had just happened Jack stared at his hand with wide eyes and then at the moon.

"I...how did I do that?"

"You reacted on instinct. When the snowball was thrown at you, you didn't think about not being able to use your powers without your staff, you only wanted to stop it from hitting you. You did the same, but certainly in a more drastic way, when protecting your friends from the Nightmare King. You can do everything you desire to, if you just believe in yourself. Will you do that, my boy?"

A hopeful smile grew on the Guardian of Fun's face as he let the words sink in.

"I will."

"Good. You will need that self-assurance when it is time to fix your staff. Now close your eyes and take a few deep breaths." Man in Moon spoke tranquilly.

Jack followed his command and began to relax more with every inhalation and exhalation of the brisk air surrounding him.

"The center of your powers and of everything you are, lies in your heart. Imagine bright blue magic flowing through your veins like your blood, streaming from there into each bodypart. Focus on your heart. Can you feel the energy?"

When the young guardian did exactly that a sharp pain ripped him out of his trance. He shook it off and tried to concentrate on his center again, but as soon as he did so the agony returned and prevented him from summoning his powers. Even here in his mind he was still struggling with the internal injuries of his body and the more he focused on his insides the more they protested against it. One last time he gathered his strength to fight his wounds, but it had no use.

"I'm sorry, I...it hurts too much, I can't-"

"It is alright, my boy. We can try again later." the moon reassured him understandingly.

Jack didn't know that Man in Moon kept an eye on the happenings at the North Pole and therefore was certain that the guardians were working on a solution for this problem. The deity smiled to himself, delighted about them having evolved into a real family and caring about each other so much.

Back then, before the frost teen had become one of them, they had only met once in a while, namely every other century and were more good aquaintances than true friends. It was Jack who had brought them all closer together and the moon was grateful for that. It only proved that his decision to choose him as the Spirit of Winter and the Guardian of Fun had been the right one.


Bunnymund stood at the open window and gazed out at the dim scenery of snow and ice. He was lost in thought with his mind not able to decide whether he should continue trying to think of a way to help Jack or simply stay calm and hope for the best. He had pondered whatever he could come up with and still hadn't found a solution. Maybe he was simply too emotionally involved to keep a clear head.

A cool breeze blew past him, making him shudder and hold the mug of hot carrot juice in his hands tighter. It was cold in the room but the winter spirit's fever still hadn't subsided. The anthropomorphic rabbit wondered what they were going to do if North's plan to fix the staff on his own didn't work. Speaking of which, Bunny glanced at the clock on the wall just above the entrance door. The 24 hours it was going to take for the newly invented special glue to dry must have been over already. Why was there no sign of the Russian yet?

Sandy, who was sitting on a chair next to Jack's bed, gave the pooka an inquiring look as he set his drink aside and aimed straightly for the door. A question mark formed over the Sandman's head but the furry guardian didn't even notice it as his back was turned on him already. Just when he had almost stepped out he halted for a moment.

„Ya keep an eye on him, won't ya?"

Both Bunny and Sandy knew how unnecessary the question was, but the little golden man nodded his head and gave him a reassuring smile nonetheless. The Australian looked at the unconscious youth once more before he left the infirmary for the first time since the medical yetis had allowed them in.

The door had barely closed behind him when a small green shape came flying through one of the open windows and bolted towards the teenager on the bed. For a split second the Guardian of Dreams prepared himself for a counter attack to fend off the intruder and protect his injured comrade. Fortunately he quickly realized that it was no enemy meaning harm but merely one of Tooth's fairies. Baby Tooth, to be exact.

Understandingly he watched the tiny hummingbird gasping in shock about her best friend's condition. The tubes on his bare upper body, the infusion leading into his arm, the monitor surveying his vital signs, the sweat on his forehead, his paler than usual skin and the lack of any sort of emotion on his resting face. It was a lot to take in all at once. Overwhelmed with emotion the fairy landed on the pillow and couldn't take her eyes off the winter spirit. A small golden hand was placed on her delicate shoulder, causing her to turn around and meet the Sandman's gaze. No words had to be spoken to deliver the comfort and confidence which were exchanged between them with a simple look. Baby Tooth let out a faint chirp and forced herself to form a weak smile. Then she hopped closer to Jack's head and nuzzled her head against his cheek, wishing he would wake up again any moment.


The moon was about to tell Jack more about the control of his powers when he sensed uneasiness emanating from him. A question was bugging him and he appeared to be unsure whether it was the right moment to utter it.

"There is something you want to know, is there not? Do not be afraid to ask."

"Yeah, well, can you...tell me how exactly I can learn to fly without my staff?" Jack mumbled sheepishly.

To be honest he felt rather ashamed of needing help concerning something he thought he had perfected during the last 300 years. He had considered himself to be a master at flying and doing all kinds of stunts at breakneck speed but now he had to admit he didn't have a clue how to do all that completely on his own.

"It mainly involves a lot of training and self-confidence. Both you and the wind have to trust each other and not rely on anything but yourselves. Practice and once you achieved the first small successes you will realize that everything else comes along much easier. I cannot tell you how long exactly it will take to master flying this way because it depends on you. But there are some simple exercises that will help..."

Jack intently listened to every word of advice from the deity and memorized it to be able to use it later on, as soon as he managed to get out of this coma and fix his staff. He couldn't wait to float in the wind's grasp again, to feel the cold breeze on his face and enjoy his freedom as he roamed the globe. Soon...at least he dearly hoped so.


„Come in..."

North's voice sounded absent-minded when he responded to the knocks at the door. Bunnymund opened it and stepped into the office, his worry about a possible failure increasing as he walked towards his Russian comrade. If the plan had succeeded he wouldn't sit at his desk and brood over a pile of papers. His expression wasn't exactly jolly either. To make sure he was punctual Bunny glanced at a clock on one of the shelves and then proceeded to confront him.

„24 hours are over now." he stated matter-of-factly.

A hum, so low that one could barely hear it, reached his ears, but nothing else followed. North didn't bother to look up and merely tapped his pencil on the desk, deep in thought.

„Mate, one day is over. What about that glue ya wanted ta test?" the pooka continued with evident impatience and annoyance.

Only then a deep sigh echoed throught the room and the Cossack reached for something which was lying behind his workspace. Bunny's worst expectation was confirmed when he held out two broken pieces of wood towards him. It was a little thicker than the currently not so magical shepherd's crook, but that didn't make a difference.

„Crikey, how hard can it be ta glue a stick together!?" he blurted out in sheer frustration, not intending to offend his friend.

„Glue works, that is not problem." North remarked unusually calm concerning the circumstances.

„Why is it broken then?"

Instead of explaining it right away the Guardian of Wonder picked up another staff-like piece of wood and threw it at his furry friend. Effortlessly Bunny caught it with one hand and gave him a dumbfounded look.

„Do you see where it's fixed?" the Russian asked.

Green eyes mustered the wood and detected three filigree cracks on the surface.

„Yeah."

„Now break it." North commanded sternly.

The Easter Bunny did as he was told, grabbed the makeshift staff with both hands and slammed it onto his knee. With a grave expression he stared at the two halves of wood he was holding in each of his hands. On further expection he noticed that it wasn't broken on the glued parts but next to them.

„You see problem now? Glue is strong but I'm not sure if it will help with Jack's recovery when his staff stays vulnerable, so to say."

„I think it's still worth a try, mate. Besides, what are ya dwellin' on there anyway?" Bunny reasoned with a hopeful undertone and walked closer to the desk.

„Pondering over something that protects the staff. Like a protective coat. We have developed long-lasting varnish, but I guess it needs another ingredient. Maybe something that fits better with wood and protects it on a natural base."

The Australian rabbit contemplated for a moment when he suddenly remembered experiments from the past that could finally prove to be useful.

„How about resin from the trees in my Warren? It's quick-settin' and sturdier than the usual one. I once tested it on my eggs when they were still rather clumsy and kept runnin' against things. It was supposed ta keep them from bein' destroyed and it worked...a lil' too well actually."

North raised his eyebrows at him curiously, quietly begging him to continue with his story.

„Well, ya see it was impossible ta break their shells. Children couldn't crack 'em after they found 'em."

There was a short silence before the Russian Santa pushed his chair back, stood up and bursted out in an excited cheer that took Bunny by suprise.

„That's it! We'll mix it with varnish and that should prevent staff from being broken again! What are you waiting for, hurry to your Warren!"

„Ya know, we could have fixed this issue faster if ya had informed me about it instead of sulkin' here and waitin' for me ta run after ya." the Guardian of Hope grumbled as he tapped his foot on the ground and created a hole which was going to take him to his home.

„It's only been few minutes between test and you coming in. I would have told you soon enough. Now stop whining and get that resin!" North shooed him in a lighthearted yet urgent manner.

„Already on my way, mate." Bunnymund reassured him and jumped into the hole in the ground.

While the anthropomorphic rabbit was gone the Christmas spirit assumed it would be best to already collect the broken staff from the infirmary. With heavy steps he hurried down the hallway and reminded himself at the last moment to not slam the door open but to do so in a more careful manner. Sandy and Baby Tooth, who he didn't even notice due to her small size, stared at him curiously and watched him as he walked to the table in the corner of the room. More questions appeared in their eyes when he picked up the four pieces of the shepherd's crook and returned to the exit before he reminded himself of telling his comrade about the current situation.

„Don't worry, we got plan to fix this. Cross your fingers that it'll work!"

Sandy would have liked a little more explicit information, but as he raised his hand the Cossack had already closed the door behind him. An inaudible sigh left his mouth and he glanced at the hummingbird fairy, who smiled at him sympathetically. Whatever it was, they both hoped it would succeed at helping Jack.

In the meanwhile North had reached his office again and sat down on the comfortable chair behind his desk. Just as he reached for the special glue the familiar hole in the ground appeared again and the Easter Bunny hopped out of it.

„Wow, you're fast." the Russian stated admittedly impressed.

Bunnymund merely shrugged and put a large glass of amber resin in front of him.

„Course I am, no time ta dawdle 'bout. So, what are we gonna do now?"

„I think it's best to glue pieces of staff together first. While it's drying we can work on protective layer." North suggested and none of them wasted another second to do exactly that.

Over the next hours the two guardians tested several combinations of the resin-varnish mixture, using different amounts of each of them and adding other ingredients. It took a while until they had figured out how to create a fluid that wasn't sticky and coloured due to the resin, had the transparency of the varnish, didn't glisten to keep the shepherd's crook looking natural and was going to protect it from being destroyed again. This had to be perfect, because they wouldn't be able to remove it once it was covering the wood. Eventually they were satisfied with the result, but decided to wait until the rest of the 24 hours was over and the glue had dried completely. They dearly hoped their efforts hadn't been in vain and it would actually contribute to the winter spirit's recovery.


A/N : Holy crap, next chapter will be number 100! It will be an extra long one and the last one of this arc. Working on it, so stay tuned! :)