They walked for what seemed like hours in their heads but was only minutes in reality (or as close as reality got in someone's mind). They didn't notice when the ice beneath their feet turned back to powdery snow, nor did they see when openness became a little more crowded. They didn't even hear the sound of windy giggling that raced throughout their surroundings.

No, they were all in thought about the winter child they had let down. They felt so guilty; they had used a boy who just didn't want to be alone anymore. In ways, they were just as bad as Pitch had been...even Bunny wouldn't deny it much to his dislike. Tooth, North, and the rabbit all felt the weight crush them again as if they were still with Loneliness. They had forced Jack to leave like everyone else had. Sandy was wondering why the other three were looking even more down then the sandy man felt himself. He had a suspicion that something serious had happened between them and Jack when he was gone. He just couldn't bring it up and didn't bother trying since he'd eventually find out.

"Cottontail," a voice called out to the group who walked on as if they hadn't heard anything, "Cottontail."

Before anyone could blink, cool snow was thrashed into all four gawking faces. This snapped them out of their stupor as they heard identical laughter from two spirits greet their numb ears.

"Oi," Bunny snapped as he wiped the slush off of his face, "What's the big idea, mate? And quit the snickering, both of ya-Hold up, when did you get 'ere?"

"A few minutes ago," their guide smirked as the other Jack hold his stomach in laughter while in mid-air, "We've been trying to get your attention for awhile now."

"You guys looked like zombies," the unknown Jack cackled as he floated around like a snowflake in the wind, "What's got you so down in the dumps?"

"They just met Loneliness."

"Oh," the copy of Jack frowned a bit before his face brightened a little, "Well, don't mind him so much. Everyone has their issues."

'Who are you?' Sandy asked in patterns of golden sand as the two watched in amusement.

"I'm Joy," he answered back as the others raised a brow, "I represent Jack's happiness and stuff...And before you say anything, I didn't choose my name. And I really don't care about that. It suits me!"

He launched himself into the air with a whoop and dived down into the freshly fallen snow.

"When I imagined Jack being happy," Tooth spoke up as the others watched with smiles on their faces, "I kinda imagined more...well, definitely not this. No offense, but you look just like Jack."

"With an even more annoying attitude," Bunny grumbled as he crossed his arms, "Not sure whether I like this Jack or the mischievous one less."

"Might not want to speak too soon," their guide smiled before Joy took over with a happy laugh.

"Mischief wonders around Jack's mind a lot," he giggled as he spread his arms and legs to make a snow angel, "I don't think you'll approve, Cottontail."

"Oh, joy," Bunny rolled his eyes and quickly ducked as another snowball flew at his head, "Oi! Stop that!"

"Sorry, Cottontail, I can't do that," he laughed as he jumped out of reach of the tall Pooka, "The other spirits are right. You don't have a sense of humor...or at least, you never show it."

"Get back 'ere!" Bunny chased the flying boy around their changing surroundings. They ran through a copy of North's workshop, Tooth's palace, Sandy's sand airplane, Jamie's house, and ended up in an area that looked just like Bunny's Warren. Blades of grassy frost swayed to the rhythm of the wind as a frozen river flowed nearby. Even the eggs, flowers, and giant temple eggs were there in full movement. The Pooka felt almost at home, so he stopped in mid-leap.

"Jack," Bunny asked hesitantly as his ears folded back some after he landed, "Jack...feels happy at mah Warren?"

"Yep."

"Even after what happened with the Blizzard of '68 and last Easter?" The rabbit's eyes widened in shock, "Even after what I did before the ankle-biter fled?"

"Even that," the guide nodded as he and the rest walked up to the group, "Jack feels comfortable when he's around people he knows well. He never will say it out loud, but the Warren is one of his favorite locations to be. He can be himself without having to hold back."

"Vhat do you mean, 'Without holding back?'" North questioned with a tilted head, "He does not hold back at ze workshop all that much."

"As much as Cottontail over here," Joy pointed to the sober rabbit who gave him a small glare, "Would not like to say it, his Warren does have the ability to survive cold weather. There's no one in the place that can get injured, and Jack makes sure the eggs won't get hurt."

"Why not any of our places?"

"Well," a pair of multicolored eyes watched them, "North's deadline to Christmas will get backed up and the yetis usually kick Jack out after awhile, Tooth's palace is way too hot in temperature to do much of anything, and Sandy isn't always on his plane. Plus, Sandy is hard to find."

'What about Jamie's house?'

"Oh, don't worry," the white-haired teen stated with a playful shrug, "He lets loose at Jamie's. Just can't really let the ice powers free because he doesn't want to hurt anyone. Guilt already feels terrible for what has happened with the Titanic and stuff. And then some of us have to group up and cheer him up. It's a real challenge some days."

"Huh?" The Guardians stood there with a doubtful glance at him which Joy ignored.

"And like I said earlier," he floated on the air as if he were walking up some stairs, "Everyone has their issues. Each of us does too."

"And your issue is?" Jack rolled his eyes and shook his head as Bunny asked bluntly.

"I-" Joy was interrupted by a different Jack.

"I'm his issue," the mournful tone in his voice turned all heads except Joy's, "I'm the reason he gets sorrowful."

"Misery!" Joy groaned in exasperation before he slapped the arm of the clone of Jack who looked like he had been thrust into water. Silver strands of hair hung on his pale face as dead, cerulean eyes stared at the Guardians. Neither a frown nor a grin reached the boy's lips as he watched the perplexed group uncaringly. His hoodie and pants were slightly tattered and hung on him a little more than the Guardians were used to seeing on the boy.

"Guys, this is Misery," guide Jack introduced the teen who just raised a brow, "He represents Jack's...well, misery. But we all like to say he also represents Apathy too."

"Sure, whatever," Misery pronounced without any interest or sentiment, "Just make sure they leave. They shouldn't see the stuff that I've done."

"Misery," Joy pouted as he crossed his arms in a comical fashion, "Are you out of whack again? Because last time you were, it took us two weeks to get you back to normal. Seriously, have you been hanging out with Grief like last time? I really care about you, but I don't know right now."

"You sound so happy right now," Misery deadpanned with a flat glower that still held no emotion, "Why do you care?"

"Because you're more Apathetic than usual."

"So?"

"So what?"

"So what what?"

"So what the heck?" Joy threw back at him before taking a slow breath in to calm down, "This is why you came here. You wanted to make me unhappy on purpose. Well, you won't win. I saw through your scheme."

"That's not me," he stated lowly as he waved his hand in the air, "Mischief and Creativity are the schemers, and you're no Clev. Besides, it's my job to make you troubled."

"What?" Joy groaned once again in exasperation, "You make no sense at all. Just yesterday, you were completely regretting your actions, and now you're saying you have to make me sad? See, apathetic."

"Guys."

"So?"

"So what?"

"So what wha-"

"Don't start that again!" The guide stated irritatedly as he pinched his nose in frustration and batted each gently with his staff, "Just tell me who bothered you, Misery."

"I would," he shrugged as the four outsiders observed, "But I don't care, and I'm not a snitch."

"You-"

"Joy, calm down," the cinnamon-white-haired boy held Joy back by the wrist as he tried to launch himself at Misery, "You said he wouldn't win."

"I know," Joy frowned wistfully before he pulled back from the leader and sighed morosely, "But now I'm going to be miserable."

"Just show us the memories," Guide stated as he nodded towards the silent Misery who was watching their interaction with some interest, "And have Mis show what happened. We need to know who he interacted with in order to know how to help him."

"Will do!" Joy shouted with glee as he fake saluted the other before grabbing at Misery.

"What are you-" the emotion asked as he attempted to jump out of the way, but Joy quickly took a hold of his hand. Both glowed as snowflakes reduced the group's vision before they could so much as state anything.