Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Rise of The Guardians characters.
"Hey, Jack," Toothiana said, almost like a question, as she fluttered around helping her little tooth sprites prepare for the night's duties. "Didn't expect to see you today." Baby Tooth flew up to him almost immediately and began chirping and flapping around. He laughed and patted her on the head with one finger.
Jack followed Toothiana through the air, zooming up and down as she spoke to the fairies that were all over the Tooth Palace.
"Whoa, you're long overdue for some fun," he joked at the fast pace she always seemed to be working. "I just thought I'd come liven the place a bit. Work is so boring."
"You know I love doing this, silly." She smiled. "What actually brings you here, Jack?"
"I have a serious question," Jack said. Normally he would have joked around some more, saying things like what, I can't just stop by? But he decided to cut straight to the point because she was busy enough getting her fairies to all the children and getting the gifts ready, as well as placing the teeth in the capsules that held their memories.
"Serious? Jack Frost? I don't like the sound of that," Tooth joked, and he smirked. "What's on your mind?"
"You remember when you told me when someone needs to remember something important you help them, and I got my memories of my sister back?"
"Yes..."
"Are there... I mean, are those the only memories that were in my teeth?"
She landed so she could talk to him face to face. "What brought this on, Jack?"
"I just... if there were something else that was pretty important, the memory would have been there right? Are there any more teeth? Or is there any way to get back the rest of my memory?"
"Jack." She placed her hands on his ice cold shoulders but didn't flinch and looked him straight in the eyes. "Are you going to tell me what's going on? It's December, you know. Not the time for you to be distracted. So if something's on your mind... maybe we can all help and then you can get back on track."
"No I'm not distracted, I was just wondering. Forget it, forget I asked. I guess the answer is no, then. I'll see you, Tooth." He started to levitate off the ground, picking up his staff by the middle.
Her hands were still on his shoulders, so she pushed him back down. "You'll think it's stupid. You'll think I'm crazy," he said, knowing he wasn't getting out of this yet still itching to have his questions answered. He silently cursed the Moon for not giving him his full memory of his past life, before the accident and before he became Jack Frost. The teeth that showed him his fate and his little sister Pippa had been a blessing, because he never thought he'd get any piece of the puzzle that was his past back. But now he wanted to know everything, not just about his family and not just about why the Moon chose him to be a guardian. He could see fuzzy pictures on the edge, but there still huge gaps he needed filled.
"I'm here for you, Jack. We all are. We won't think you're crazy."
He sighed. "I... saw someone today. Someone I think I might know."
"Someone you think you might know?"
"From... my past. Maybe. I'm not sure. Which is why I was asking about the other memories."
"Your past? Jack, even if you did remember more, you couldn't have seen someone now. That was 300 years ago. That's impossible."
Jack wanted to just agree with her, to brush it off. He knew it was impossible. But he couldn't stop this feeling. He knew he had never seen that girl before in his life... this life anyway. And yet he felt like he knew her, not only the familiarity of her face, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he actually knew her. He knew humans couldn't possibly live for 300 years. But then again... he was a human once. He knew he should drop it, that he was insane, but even if his former life held no answers about this girl at least he could learn a little more about who he used to be. He had a sister, he saved her, and he had always loved fun, his center had always been fun. That was about all he knew.
"How do you know what's possible and what's not?" he snapped, because he was so frustrated at never being taken seriously—just because his center was fun and he tended to joke around a lot didn't mean he couldn't have his moments—then regretted it. Tooth was one of his best friends and the kindest person he knew. But he also didn't want to be labeled crazy by anyone other than himself, especially not a fellow Guardian. "You're starting to sound like a nonbeliever, like the adults."
Toothiana gasped and backed up. Jack wanted to take it all back. He couldn't believe he just said that. "I'm sorry, Tooth. I didn't mean it."
She looked down. Then she looked back up at him and bit her lip. "No, you're right. I trust you, Jack. I trust your judgment, and your instincts. You should have been given all of your memories back when you opened the capsule of your teeth. Maybe you could try again and see if you get anything else since it only gave you certain memories. But... I still think we should talk to North and the other Guardians before you pursue your memories and whatever else you're looking for. Your duties come first, and if you're saying what I think you're saying... We can't get too close to humans, Jack. Not children like Jamie, but adults who don't believe, and even if you're right about this..."
"I get it," he interjected. "But you know me. I hate not knowing. I feel more complete, more like a Guardian when I know who I was back then, too."
Tooth sighed. "I really wish I had more answers about why your memories went missing, Jack. Maybe the Moon did that for a reason."
Jack smirked. "Why do I get the feeling you're still not giving me the information I want?"
She smiled. "Look inside yourself, Jack. You might be surprised at what you can remember now that you know why you were chosen."
"Thank you," he snorted. "You're so helpful. Meanwhile, I've got blizzards to cause, snow days to start. I'll see you soon, Tooth." He hugged her before flying up out of Tooth Palace and letting the wind carry him as far as the weather allowed before he got to his destination.