I'm so Sorry! I know i haven't updated anything in forever! my computer is messed up and between that and homework i've had no time for anything! Hope you enjoy the chapter and i wouldn't mind some ideas for how to continue? Enjoy!

xxx The Shadow Author

Sandy landed back at the workshop within two hours, Jack curled up beside him hugging a stuffed Sand bear that Sand had become on the way back. Sandy had laughed when he had turned, half way home, to find this 300 year old Winter spirit hugging the bear like it was his most prized possession. He gave a last chuckle as the others came hurrying up, looking worried. At the sight of Jack, curled up and innocent looking, Tooth and Baby Tooth squealed and rushed over, cooing over him with dreamy looks. North laughed while Bunny shook his head with a grin.

"So im guessing you got everything sorted out with the rascal?" Bunny asked, eyes soft. Sandy's happy expression sobered, anger showing through. He shook his head, eyes ablaze. This alone was enough to draw even Tooth away from the sight with a worried look. Without looking, Sandy moved Jack over to lay on a nearby couch before he began to tell his tale. The others listened with growing anger as they were told why Jack had done what he had done. Once finished North was the first to speak.

"Do we know of who these spirits are?" he asked in a soft voice. That alone being a testament to his anger.

"I have an idea", Bunny said, voice just as calm and deadly. His spring green eyes flashed with a new fire, one they had never seen him show before. The fire of a protective sibling; one who had just found out who exactly had hurt his beloved little brother.

"than what are we waiting for?" Tooth said, wings moving to buzz faster and faster. Baby Tooth, on a whispered order, flew back in through the window with a few of her Sisters in tow, their Queen's swords held between them. Tooth took them from her daughters, who then moved to flank her, each wanting to be apart of this hunt. Sandy watched with approval. For so long he had watched as they grew distant from each other, only coming together when needed, but now they came together willingly. As the others got ready Sandy flew over to a familiar hairy form that stood in the doorway. He signed to him, a hopeful look on his face.

'Stay with him?' Sandy asked. Phil shot one last look at the other Guardians before nodding. He moved forward and took a seat in a recliner beside the fire, one that sat across from the small spirit. Sandy nodded with a grateful smile and flew back to the group.

"I say we split up. Corral them all to one place and handle them all at once", Tooth said, the Warrior Queen showing through. It had been so long since she had been able to use this side of herself. The others nodded along in agreement and began to discuss who would track who. Sandy only interrupted once to claim his own target before letting them handle themselves. Finally they all finished and took off to their individual Hunts, a bright fire in their eyes. Sandy sent a single look back at Jack and his quiet shadow before taking off. He had a Boogeyman to find.

Bunny flew through his tunnels, mind whirling as he sorted through the names of the low down spirits he had always heard bashing Jack. He had heard them plot, in a drunken haze, just this kind of thing. He had always ignored them. He had dumbly thought that they were only drunk. That they would never actually do it, but he was wrong, and it might have cost Jack decades of pain. His face hardened further as he thought this and picked up the pace. Yes, it was at least partially his fault, and by Moon he would fix this. He would not let that poor child.. That stopped him for a moment, though his pace kept steady. He had failed a child. Probably the most important one at that. Jack, who couldn't have been more than sixteen when he became a spirit, was a child, and he had let him get hurt. Bunny's claws extended, ripping into the soil as his guilt and anger mixed. He had let Hope die in a child. It was time to give it back. He leapt up through the whole, landing right beside the table that held a collection of five spirits, just about to start a celebration. They were about to call him over to join them when they all saw his look. They froze, eyes widening as they shrank into his rather large shadow.

"Mates, you're coming with me", he said simply. and, before they could argue, tapped a hole up that had them all disappearing with a scream. He jumped after them, leaving only five full cups behind and a disgruntled bar keeper.

Tooth zipped through the air, the Wind helping her to move that much faster. Her fairies kept close, just as angry as she was. How dare they!? Even if he wasn't a Guardian at the time, why would they hurt him? Yes, he had been known a nuisance. As a pest and prankster, but that does not give them the right to hurt someone! Especially her family. Especially a child... Tooth faltered in her course slightly, dropping a foot before righting herself. She had let a child down. An immortal child, but a child none the less. It was her job to Guard the Children, and she had failed. But she had never hurt him, neglected yes, but she would never hurt him, pest or not. it was time to fix this, here and now, then head back to find a way to make it up to the newest part of her little family. She dove down through the window of April Fool's workshop, her fairies in formation behind her.

"Toothiana? What are you doing here?" April asked. She was a petite young woman with shiny green highlights in her pure black hair. Deep hazel eyes stared innocently at her as she stood in her dark skinny jeans and green top with dark brown leather jacket. Knee high boots completed the look, but Tooth only gave it a passing glance. The fire in her eyes as she fluttered closer, her fairies fanning out to keep an eye out for any tricks. Once they were in place, Tooth hovered and crossed her arms.

"Jack Frost", she said, eyes watching her carefully. April's innocent expression instantly soured.

"What about the little creeten?" she asked, also crossing her arms. Tooth kept her voice low and calm, no wanting to cause any unneeded accidents.

"You hurt him", she said, arms down strait by her sides. Now April seemed to understand. Her eyes widen momentarily before slipping into a neutral mask.

"I have no idea what you mean, but i would kindly ask you to exit my property", She said, but her shaking hands gave her away. This had been the very thing she had feared when she had heard the little piece of slime had become a Guardian.

"You know exactly what i mean, and you will come with me", Tooth responded softly, voice leaving no room for argument. The rest happened very quickly. April twitched, arm brushing the pocket of her jacket. Instantly smoke billowed around her and throughout the room. By the time it had cleared, April was gone.

Outside, April ran with all she had knowing she had very little time to make her escape. SHe glanced back as she weaved through the trees, smiling when she saw no sign of the Fairy Queen. That was before arms grabbed her from above, lifting her into the air. She screamed as she looked up and found Tooth giving her an almost bored look. She looked down again to see them break the tree tops. She continued to scream and curse as they flew off through the moonlight.