Reviews are dropping D: Are you not liking the sequel?

Dex Zabeth: If I ever go into business, I'm hiring you. That was fucking hilarious! Thank you.

Panda-chan8: If I killed off Sophie no-one would mind. Which is exactly the reason why Jamie drew the short straw. Hello first time reviewer -Waves like a prat- Thank you! I'm glad you've been inspired to write! That's brilliant, please let me know when you post the first chapter. I'm looking forward to it. Also, have you read the first Fanfic to this one? A few things might not make sense otherwise.

DevineGuardianAngel: I know that feeling all too well. I hope that you managed to put them in their place! Lol.

Cheshire cat: I knew it was you, even without your name! Hello! I hope this sates your curiosity.

SoaringPhoenix86: I am my worst critic. Most of my stories will never reach the internet. It makes me wonder how I post anything at all. This is my most worried about chapter yet. I wouldn't have posted it at all, if I didn't think that you would probably hunt me down and tie me to the laptop until I gave in.

TanairyCornelio: Thanks, Jack is a bit of an arse, but what can you do. That lovable scamp. -Ruffles Jack's hair-

Seabiscuit: I will always try to be entertaining to you. XD

Sorry about the novel length Author's note. My bad. Get on with it Sabaine. Honestly.

Chapter 4 – Silver lining?

Zoe fell into the darkness, she had the foresight to tuck in her wings before she hit the first corner. She swore as she was thrown from side to side down the never ending tunnel. 'If this is because of that jumped up rat!' She swore as she tried to regain some control, she was tossed around a U-bend. 'That's it! I'm decorating my home with a kangaroo rug!' She vowed. It lasted about ten minutes until she saw light at the end of the passage. But it was coming too fast. 'Oh shi-' She began before tumbling across grass and scattering eggs. She stood up only to fall back down again. She resorted to lying on her side for a moment, flicking her ponytail back from over her eyes. She saw Bunny chasing eggs. She gaped for a second. 'What the fuck is going on?!' She yelled at him, making him literally jump.

'Oh Sheila, glad you're here. I've got a problem.' He says holding out a hand. Zoe pulls herself up.

'Too right you've got a fucking problem! What the fuck was that about? I could have broken something!' She scolded. She had definitely bashed a shoulder and her knees a few times. She stared at Bunny waiting for an answer, but he didn't reply instead he pounced on an egg with a bright pink pattern. She couldn't help but stand there with her mouth open. He put down the egg gently and batted it on with his paw. 'What the fuck is going on?!' Zoe screamed at him, making him jolt again. He gave her a look and rubbed the back of his head. She had sworn a lot since she arrived, it normally gave people a heads up on her temper. Unfortunately for Bunny it meant that she was furious.

'Uh, well, Sheila, I've been a bit of a drongo you see-' He began. A tremor through the earth stopped him. They both fought for balance. After a few seconds everything was calm, like nothing had happened. Zoe raised her brow and gave a sidelong look at Bunny. 'See that's what I'm worried about,' he said looking at a bunch of eggs that trotted past. He picked each one up and stared at it carefully. 'Someone's burrowing, I'm sure of it. It's worse here than anywhere else. I'm worried about your little prezzy.'

'You can't be serious!'

'Deadly, Sheila. I didn't like the idea of it being down here in the first place, but it's been over seven years and now all this ruckus. Strewth, I don't want to be blamed for when something happens to it. Like Tooth,' he sighed. 'We've just got to find the little chokkie. I can't remember what it looks like,' he muttered picking up another egg.

'You hid my gem in an egg?' Zoe stated. 'Also, I don't blame Tooth at all.'

Bunny ignored her last point and waved a paw at a horde of eggs that trotted by. 'Where better? There's millions of them down here, and besides it can't get out. I wasn't that much of a drongo. I just need to find the right one,' he shrugged. Zoe felt her anger bubble. Admittedly, he was doing her a favour by looking after it, but still. She could understand his concern... her anger dimmed. It wasn't fair for her to be annoyed. The earth begins to shake causing eggs to fall over. The stone guards didn't look happy and milled around for the source. Zoe bit her lip, she could barely stand while the earth shook. It was definitely worse in the Warren. Maybe Bunny's concern wasn't mere paranoia.

'You can't expect just the two of us to find the fucking thing?' She sighed.

'Nope. Sorry about the rough ride earlier Sheila, but I had to guess where you where, same as the others.'

'Others?' She repeated. Then she heard the yells. A tunnel opened, a stone guard stepping aside. Jack and North fell out of one opening. Tooth and Sandy fell out another. She couldn't help the laugh that went through her chest. Jack instantly brightened when he saw her, any thoughts of retribution vanished. North untangled himself and pulled Jack upright. The large Russian crossed the grass and hugged her tightly. Zoe gritted her teeth and counted the seconds till she could breath again. It wasn't long. She hugged Tooth once she was released and kissed Sandy on the cheek in greeting. Jack sauntered over, his staff over one shoulder. They weren't a couple for displays of affection, she settled for touching his arm and smiling at him.

'What's going on Angel?' He asked quietly. His answer came quickly as the earth groaned and almost knocked them from where they were standing. They held onto each other, Tooth and Sandy completely unaffected. 'Ah.' Jack said with a look at Zoe. 'That answers that,' he pauses and lowers his voice. 'It's not anything to do with Ja-'

'No. Don't worry. It's got nothing to do with... them,' she finished lamely. 'Have you told anyone?' She asked. He nodded and looked at North. Zoe nodded and hugged him tightly.

'Oi, less pashing on, more egg searching,' Bunny shouted at them.

Zoe glared back at him, and then in a thick aussie accent shouted back, 'your opinion isn't worth zack. You're being as useful as tits on a bull, you bloody whacka! Because you can't remember, we're all rooted!' Jack couldn't help the burst of laughter that erupted from him, he didn't understand half of it. Bunny looked gob smacked. Tooth giggled, Sandy beamed, so did North. You would think that she was a native. 'What?' She said normally. 'I spent a few hundred years there,' she explained. 'I speak pretty much all languages. Even dead ones. It's amazing what you pick up when there's over three million copies of yourself walking around.'

'Why don't I know this?' Jack chuckled.

'What? You think that you were going to learn all about me in only ten years?' She mocked being hurt. 'Jack, it's almost if you think that I've been around for only a century or two.' Jack laughed again and shook his head leaning on his staff. Zoe winked at him, causing a blush before walking over to the other Guardians. Bunny was explaining what was going on and they were already looking for the suspect egg. 'So let me get this right. We have no idea what it looks like, where it is in the slightest, and yet you are sure we're going to find it?' Zoe said in disbelief.

'Look, it's pink. I think. Or blue. Maybe even yellow,' Bunny says looking around. 'We've got to find it otherwise you're not getting it back.' Zoe grinds her teeth but flaps her wings leaping to one of the rocky outcrops that hang over the area below. It was no good, she couldn't sense it. There were just too many things moving around. She rubbed her eyes, this was damn near impossible. Tooth and the others were beginning to search the eggs. About half an hour passed. Nothing.

'This is ridiculous,' Zoe muttered. Jack placed a hand on her shoulder. She smiled weakly as she looked at him. He held a daisy in his fingertips. He held it under her nose making her giggle, she smelt the petals like he wanted. He then tucked the long stem behind her ear. She laughed again, Jack always knew how to make her feel better. They returned to searching after that, but it seemed endless.

'Why do you have this many eggs?' Jack sighed plonking one in the river. He was remembering how Sophie used to chase the stubby little things around. It wasn't far from Easter, but they weren't close either. Zoe flumped next to him flicking another into the paint with the toe of her shoe. Tooth, North and Sandy all looked sick of the sight of eggs. Even a couple of North's yetis that had been recruited were flagging. Bunny sighed and pushed an egg away.

'I'm sorry Sheila, I didn't think it would be this difficult,' he murmured. Zoe decided to give him a break.

'Aw, come on Bunny. If we can't find it, then it's pretty damn safe. I knew that I made the right choice trusting a gem to you,' she smiled looking over at him. Luckily Tooth didn't take offence. Zoe didn't blame the fairy at all, she had said it many times. Bunny exhaled in a huff, but it was tinged with a small smirk. She knew that he felt a little better. Maybe it was time to give it up. Just as she was about to mention this to Jack and the others, the earth began to tremble. But it didn't stop like the other times, it was continuous. Jack pulled Zoe close as the far wall began to violently crack and crumble. She shielded them with her large wings, as the stone, for lack of a better word, exploded. She hissed in pain as a few segments hit her feathers. 'Is everyone okay?!' She shouted as the dust was clearing. She got a chorus of yes' in reply, also some heavy swearing in Russian. A butterfly of golden sand flittered under her wing, so she knew that Sandy was unharmed. She looked up at Jack who was holding her tightly. 'You okay Jack?' She asked.

'I'm fine Angel,' he replied. Forcing a smile. He was looking at the giant hole that appeared in Bunny's far wall. Bunny was herding eggs away from it. He didn't look happy. A large pod sat in the rubble. Vines began to snake their way up the walls. Zoe scowled at them and shared a look with Jack. He pressed his forehead lightly against hers before leaving the safety of her feathers. He flicked his staff into his hand with the side of his trainer. Bunny advanced to the plant with a furious look on his features.

'Strewth! Would you look at the bloody thing!' He exclaimed. Tooth warned him not to get too close. He brushed her warning away and poked the bulging green pod, with one of his boomerangs. It gurgled and glooped.

'I wouldn't do that if I were you,' a voice like melted chocolate sang out from behind the enormous thing. Zoe clenched her fists. She knew that voice. Jack did too, his face falling. Bunny swore and leapt back to the boundary of the other Guardians who weren't looking happy. North was cursing about the fact that he didn't have his swords.

'What the hell do you think you're doing?!' Bunny shouted at Natalie as she walked around the bulb, running her hand around it, like a loving mother. She smiled wickedly at the rabbit. She was wearing a fifties style, rockabilly dress; navy with white polka dots.

'I am claiming what is mine!' She spat at him. Clearly there was no love lost there, Zoe thought to herself. She decided to cut all the bullshit and petty arguing that was to ensue and she step forward in front of Jack and the others.

'Just get to the point please, what is that?' She pointed to the giant plant, 'and why have we been graced with your presence?' She said sarcastically.

Natalie frowned heavily and petted the pod. 'Bunny has something of mine, I intend to get it. You are not needed, Reaper,' she said that last word in the frame of an insult.

'You're saying I'm not needed? When your fat arse has been tunnelling under the earth and causing the fucking world to shatter? You're saying, I'm not needed?' Zoe snapped at her. It looked like Natalie was as sensitive as most women, when it came to her weight and she looked furious.

'You're nothing more than a walking rats nest! It's hard to find what Jack finds so desirable,' Natalie retaliates. Tooth gasped, Bunny looked over at Zoe, who's eyes had gone cold. Jack went to touch her shoulder but she walked forward almost only a couple of metres from Natalie.

'Listen, I'm sorry that you got reincarnated with such a fucked up face, but there's no need to take it out on me okay bush bitch?' Zoe said calmly, crossing her arms. Although her façade was calm, Jack could tell that she was merely a few words away from hitting her.

'Oh, Reaper, is my monthly gift becoming too much?' She said sickly sweet.

Zoe stepped forward only to be literally picked up by Jack and pulled away. She cursed and thrashed but she didn't want to hurt him so she let herself be moved to the side. Bunny stepped up and pointed his boomerang at her. Natalie smiled smugly. Zoe muttered and spat curses viciously while Jack tried to calm her down. 'You need to leave Natalie. You have no right to be here,' Bunny said his boomerang steady. Natalie's eyes focused on him.

'Give me the stone rabbit,' she said coldly. Zoe's head flicked up.

'That's why you're here? Well you can fuck off!' She shouted from over Jack's shoulder.

Bunny shrugged, 'you heard Sheila, it's not mine to give and she just told you to leave.'

'That stone is rightfully mine!' Natalie said, the pod behind her swelled, the seams of the petals groaning. 'It's the gem of earth. I am Mother Nature!'

'Like I give a fuck!' Zoe shouted. 'You're a trampy bitch! That's all there is to it!' She tried to climb over Jack to get to her, but he held her in place. She resorted to giving Natalie the finger instead. Mother Nature's eye twitched.

'If you won't give it to me, I'll just have to take it,' she snarls.

'You'll have to find it first,' Bunny laughed. Sandy cringed, even Zoe winced, remembering the last few hours. Natalie smiled weirdly, the pod behind her almost gasped, the petals began to peel back. It was beautiful Palo Alto orchid. It's bright yellow petals deepening into a red the closer they got to the centre. Where it burst into a bright purple. Pollen hung in clumps, it's light fragrance filling the cavern. Zoe noticed that the pollen glittered, between the purple and black. She felt her stomach drop. She didn't know if anyone else saw the similarity to a certain cursed sand. Natalie laughed, a breeze filling the room. The pollen scattered, all of them jumped, but it didn't see to be doing much harm, to them at least. Then Bunny watched a speck as it touched an egg. The bright colours dwindled and turned grey, it's little legs withered and it fell to the floor lifeless.

'No!' He cried out. But he was helpless, the spores were in the air. Not even the icy, cold breeze that Jack created to divert it helped. Zoe picked up the little egg, sadness in her eyes. Some of the eggs didn't wither. Some of them ran around, bright red before exploding. Bunny breathed in heavily, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He looked at Natalie who bounced and clapped her hands as chaos ensued. His jaw hardened, with a flick of his wrist he sent his weapon flying clipping Natalie across the nose. Blood burst from her now splintered nose. She screamed and vines shot out from the plants behind her grabbing Bunny. A free for all was let loose, Zoe's suspicions were confirmed as pods grew quickly and shadow creatures tore their way through the petals as they opened. She was working for her father. She looked at Jack who readied his staff and they threw their selves into the fray. Natalie was still sobbing and holding her face as Bunny was thrown around. Tooth and Sandy took it upon themselves to try and free him. North, was bare fist fighting with a couple of sand shades. Even when he smashed their heads together they simply regrouped. Zoe ignored all distractions and made her way straight to Natalie.

Zoe tackled her to the ground, getting a good punch in, blacking her eye, before one of her vines wrapped around Zoe's throat. The vine was thin and Zoe was angry, it didn't take long for her to snap it and pull it from her skin. It had sharp little barbs that had dug into her flesh. Dots danced in front of her eyes for a moment but it was long enough to allow Natalie to crawl into the safety of her pollinating flower. There was a high pitched ping and Natalie's head whipped around. There was a little egg now glowing with a pale green light.

'Grab the egg or we're rooted!' Bunny screamed hanging upside down from a vine. Zoe's head followed where he was pointing. A shade was running for the little thing. Zoe snapped open her wings and jumped, beating heavily on the down stroke to provide lift. She was thrown to the floor by another of Mother Nature's vines. She cried out as she crushed her arm. 'The egg! The egg! Grab the rooting egg!' Bunny yelled clawing at the vine around his foot.

'You don't fucking say?!' Zoe shouted back sarcastically, sitting on her haunches cupping her elbow. North roared running past her, a shade in each hand. Jack had managed to strike down the shade that was chasing it. But the egg had disappeared into a uncontaminated clutch, the light was barely noticeable. More pollen was making it's way to the batch though. It was only a matter of time.

'Sheila! Sarcasm isn't helping you catch the egg!' Bunny retorted. Tooth was pinned by a few shades. Sandy had created a pair of dream sand scissors and was trying to cut through the imprisonment. Zoe muttered a curse under her breath and back handed a shade that came too near. She wasn't going to summon her scythe, if Natalie was after stones, that would be another prime target. Jack came flying past her into the far wall as Natalie forced her way over to the glowing egg. Zoe was torn, did she go to Jack or to Natalie? Her decision was made for her, only a few seconds had passed but Natalie had reached her goal. All the shades vanished into the shadows. Her vines retreated, the only one remaining was the one holding Bunny. She was pulled back to her giant flower by a passing vine. She held the egg triumphantly. Zoe had to stop herself growling in anger.

'Oh, would you look at this,' Natalie cooed. 'I've got it, what a shame, Reaper. I guess you've lost.' She taunted.

'Not really, I'm not the one that looks like the arse of a dog,' Zoe shrugged. Inside she was fuming with anger. She would get her stone back, she would pry it from Natalie's cold dead fingers. Natalie's smile dropped.

'Another word from your mouth and I'll make you regret it,' Natalie scowled.

Zoe tried, she really did, but she was too full of adrenaline and her mouth spoke before she realised. 'Trust me, I'm regretting just looking at you.'

'As you wish,' Natalie said coldly. Bunny screamed as her vine snapped his foot. It flicked him into cavern stone. Hard. The breaking of his body was heard to echo across the area. Zoe screamed out, her voice mixing with Tooth's. Natalie's laughter was drowned out and faded as she returned down the tunnel that she came from. All of them ignored her departure running over to their friend. He was alive, barely.

'Bunny!' Zoe said skidding to her knees as she came close. 'I'm so sorry!' She blurted.

The rabbit laughed. 'I... think that she... was going... to... do that... no matter what... Sheila...' He gasped, forcing a smile. North ran his hands over Bunny, his lips set in a grim line. Sandy made flashing sand pictures, Jack watched his eyes flickering.

'Sandy asks if he's going to be alright?' Jack translated. Tooth held his paw, stroking his fur. North nodded, Sandy smiled at Jack in thanks. Zoe stood up, Bunny looked like he had broken his back and a few limbs and ribs. But he was going to live. That was enough. She sighed and turned on her foot. She should have told Jack about that dream. Especially when Baby Tooth went missing, but she didn't. She kept it to herself. Now a Guardian was hurt. What the hell was going to happen next? She bit her lip. Her eyes landed on the tunnel, it would allow her to follow. If she was fast enough, she might be able to catch her and surprise her. But she wouldn't risk anyone else. This was her stone, her problem. She would get the others off the Guardians later. Without making a sound she backed away and walked to where the giant orchid was beginning to wither. Jack looked around and caught her touching the cavern's scarred wall, he left Bunny in North's care and went over to his lover.

'Angel? Are you okay?' He asked, he was only mildly bruised from earlier. Zoe nodded.

'I'm going to follow her,' she said softly.

'I'll come with you,' he said twirling his staff.

'No, you won't.' Her voice was flat, it had a metallic echo. She had just used her power on him. He wouldn't be able to follow her, no matter what he tried. He frowned. But she wouldn't look at him. He saw her shoulders droop. 'This way, you're safe,' she said quietly.

'Angel-'

'I hope that Bunny will be okay,' she said before she walked into the darkness. Jack swore, looking over at Bunny. He swore again and thumped his staff onto the floor. Things were just getting worse.

…

The tunnel was a no go. After about thirty miles it reached the surface. I rubbed my eyes in tiredness. There was no sign of that whore anywhere. I hurt all over, my elbow especially. I'm on the edge of a beach. The North Atlantic Ocean in front of me. It's grown dark since my time underground. I'll coast over the ocean and see if I can pick up any sign of her over England, if not, then I'll have to go home. I'm running out of energy. This is such bullshit. I'm going to fucking kill her. Also her father, if he ever shows his face. I've fucking well had enough now. I breathe in deeply and take a running start off the sand, which trust me, isn't easy. I manage to catch a thermal which drifts me over the expanse easily. I scan the waves, looking for nothing in particular. When the pressure hits me.

Daya.

I gasp, my hand clutching my chest. I didn't hear my name more like felt it. This isn't Pitch or his skank. This is someone much worse. I've been on this earth for over four thousand years and he's only ''spoken'' to me once. I rely on my wings to keep me air borne as I look into the sky.

Hello child.

I blink, not understanding what's brought this on. I stare at the moon, the feeling of pressure stays, I feel like I've swallowed a ball of lead. It's sitting in my stomach, the slightest movement from my wings makes it roll. 'W-What do you want?' I ask eventually.

I have to tell you something. Return to shore.

It's like my wings are no longer mine to control. They fly me back to shore, the whole time my heart pounding with that pang of nervousness that you get, if you fear you're about to be told off or something. My trainers touch the sand, creating little dips that would confuse the early beach walkers. I can feel the panic as I look back at that damned shining orb in the night. 'What do you want to tell me?' I say, clearing my throat before I spoke.

I am giving you control.

'What do you mean control?' I ask.

Control, child.

Three of the five will die.

My heart plummets. This is the very thing I fear. My scythe appears in front of me. I didn't summon it, this is all his doing. I take it in my hands automatically. It doesn't feel any different. Then it hits me, the true weight of a weapon this size. I almost drop it. The metal is suddenly very cold under my hands, which slip down the length. The blade cuts into the sand, I gasp as I can barely lift it up. I move my other hand further down the handle and manage to stand it up, the hilt now sitting in the sand. 'W-What do you mean control?' I ask, afraid.

Events are happening, beyond my control.

Beyond the balance.

'That doesn't make sense!' I shout.

Three of the five will die, child. It is up to you

to decide whom.

I grit my teeth. Is he seriously telling me what I think he's telling me? I shake my head dropping the scythe. It's not mine any more it feels alien. My wings feel heavy as well, I stagger back clutching my head. He carries on ''speaking,'' not giving me time to deny this.

Until this is over, you have control.

You choose.

'Choose what?!' I scream tears running down my cheeks. This is too much. I can't do this. 'I won't be your puppet! I'm no one's puppet!' I scream, digging my nails into my scalp.

You are the balance.

You will decide child.

I cannot.

I have grown old, you are young.

'Th-That makes no fucking sense!' I sob. Shaking my head more. I sink to my knees pushing the scythe out the way. 'I won't do it. I can't. You can't make me.'

No.

I cannot.

But it does not change anything.

You are the balance now, child.

'Why me?' I whisper.

You are the first.

You will be the last.

Balance.

I'm mean. I know I'm mean. But there you go, isn't the best, but it's not the worst. The fourth chapter. Not that dark, but there are very, very, very dark times to come. Trust me on this. Worse than chapter 2. That I promise. Well, please review. Otherwise I don't know what's happening in your brain boxes.