Chapter 10: Easter
It took Hiccup a second to pull himself back up when the portal spit him out again. It look like they were underground, and that didn't surprise him too much since they were at a rabbit's home. Large intricate stone designs covered with moss filled the walls, and brightly colored plants sprung from everywhere. The part that grabbed Hiccups' attention the most were the large egg-shaped statues, that changed their expressions from mad to happy.
Toothless sprung forward, as if ready to pounce. Hiccup was about to ask why when he heard it. A ghostly, painful wail that echoed through the cave. He sprung too, ready to strike at anything. He glanced over to the rest of his group, who were now quickly scrambling for their own weapons. The wail grew closer, and the six charged.
A small girl came rushing out of the cave. She stopped as soon as she saw them, staring with wide eyes. They nearly tripped over each other in their attempts to stop.
"Sophie?" Jack asked.
Sophie didn't really seem to mind, as all of her attention was now on Toothless. Her expression made it obvious that she was trying really hard to figure out what it was. She pounced on him, drawing Toothless' head into a tight hug. Hiccup could only stand back and blink.
Tooth came rushing out of the cave entrance, followed by the rest of the Guardians. "Wait! They're not that bad! Look, they still have a little blood and gums on them!" Tooth was shouting.
Eugene laughed. "'Blood and gums'? When was the last time you hung out with children?"
"We're busy bringing joy to the children!" North objected. "We don't have time!"
A pause.
"For children?" Hiccup prompted.
None of the Guardians looked pleased with that answer, but all the same they didn't try to refute it.
Jack rolled his eyes and walked up to them, carefully playing with a snowflake in his fingers. "Well, if one little kid can ruin Easter, then we're in worse shape than I thought." He let the snowflake drift through his fingers, and Hiccup watched as it collided straight with Bunny's face.
Hiccup was expecting Bunny to start yelling. Instead, his face began to contort into a sheer look of…fun, that Hiccup had never seen on the Pooka before.
If she had the time, Rapunzel would like nothing more to pain Bunnymund's Warren. Not a thing was lifeless inside. The flowers that sprayed the eggs different colors, the rivers full of dye, the eggs themselves as they marched along, not even getting into the exotic designs along the walls...
The most interesting part to her, however, was the interactions between Bunny and Sophie. Bunny was showing her everything, making sure that she got to see every detail up close and personal. Sophie looked like she was having the time of her life. She didn't have any younger siblings, but Rapunzel figured that this would be what their relationship would be like. "They're rather cute together, don't you think?" She asked.
"Weel, I suppose…" Merida trailed off.
"You 'suppose'?" Rapunzel asked, trying her best to mimic the Scot's accent.
Merida sighed. "I dunnoo…they remind me of my own siblings."
There was silence between the two for a second while Rapunzel tried to think of what to say. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had such close siblings."
Merida scoffed. "Hardly. They could get away wi' murder!"
Rapunzel fell silent. She tried her best to hide her look of confusion, and pet Pascal mindlessly. Merida was just so different! She could never imagine acting around Mother the way Merida spoke about her family.
But it was a good different.
Jack crouched down next to Bunny. "Not bad, Cottontail." He said, watching the eggs as they traveled through the various tunnels.
"Not bad yourself." Bunny said. Surprisingly enough, it sounded sincere.
Silence fell between them, as they were both more interested in watching the eggs as they went.
Jack cleared his throat. "Listen, I just…" Oh, this wasn't going to be fun. "Sorry. For the, uh…kangaroo thing."
Bunny laughed lowly. "It's the accent, isn' it?"
Tooth and North joined them, so Jack decided to drop the sentimental part. Sophie yawned in-between them, and sprawled out in Bunny's arms. "Ah, looks like the littl' anklebiter's ready for bed."
"I'll take her." Jack spoke up.
"But, Jack," Tooth started. "Pitch is-"
"No match for me. We've established this." Jack said. "Besides, you still have the others, so you'll be fine."
"And the others—" North started.
"Can handle it." Jack cut him off. "We've evaded the Corona Guard, defeated the Demon Bear, and fought off Pitch. Together. And…I trust them."
Tooth and North gave each other skeptical looks.
"I'll be back in time for Easter." Jack said. "I'll be as quick as a bunny!"
A Baby Tooth was still sent with him for good measure. Figured.
Carefully, Jack tried to peel Sophie off his neck. Even half-asleep (or perhaps because of it), she had quite the grip. Finally, he managed to get her at least somewhat on the bed.
She tumbled off just as he stood up.
"Sophie? Is that you?" A new voice, probably her mom, spoke up from downstairs.
Jack panicked. Quickly, he grabbed one of the blankets and tossed it over Sophie. That would at least make it probable that she just fell asleep and tumbled out of bed. For good measure, he tossed a stuffed toy as well. He practically scampered out the window, making sure to close it behind him, just in time for said mom to come up the stairs to investigate.
He shot an apologetic look to Baby Tooth, who was looking ready to have a conniption. "We should head back." He said meekly.
He froze as he heard something. It was a voice, calling out to him in low tones that even he was surprised he could hear. it sounded so familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "That voice…I know that voice…"
He darted off before Baby Tooth could stop him.
They waited four hours.
Rapunzel was annoyed, certainly. Mostly, though, she was concerned. It wasn't like Jack to just up and leave them like that. He even said that he would be quick about it.
She stopped her thoughts as a snowglobe entered her vision. She glanced back up to North, who was looking at her with a sparkle in his eyes. "Go ahead. You need to see lanterns."
Rapunzel really wanted to wait for Jack. But…this was going to be the only chance she got. Her life was going to begin, now.
With or without Jack.
Author's Note: Huh. Shorter chapter than usual. Most of the part in the movie is montage, so I guess it makes sense. The next chapter is longer, so stay tuned. And...you might want to bring a box of tissues, if you're the emotional type. The next two chapters are going to be rough.
