Jack sat on top of a tall oak tree, looking down at the village he first discovered upon waking up from the lake. He peered down at the people going about their day as the snow of winter sprinkled over them. He couldn't help but feel envious of their lives. They all had someone to care about and to care for them. Unlike him, their only troubles were about their next meal. He flew over to the lake he'd risen from. He would always stop by to test his newfound abilities and relieve his pent up stress and frustration.

Making his way to the solid ice, he noticed a brunette girl sitting at the edge of the shore. She sat there crouched on the ground and silently crying to herself. He flew over and sat beside her, wondering what her troubles may be. Looking at her face, he could see the little girl mouthing some words. Her voice was quiet but grew into a whisper.

"… make the clock reverse. Bring back what once… was mine." She sniffled, wiping her tears. She brought her knees closer to her chest and wrapped her arms tighter.

"Heal what has been hurt. Change the fate's design…" the little girl continued. Jack looked at her curiously. He wasn't too familiar with this lullaby. She continued to whisper. "Save what has been lost. Bri… bring back what once… was mine…" She closed her eyes and buried her face in her arms.

He sat next to the girl in curiosity and slight sadness. He didn't know why he was sad but only knew that he was. He wanted to console her in some way but he couldn't think of any appropriate way to do so. He sat there idly in hopes that his mere presence would be of help, regardless if she could see him or not. Sitting next to the little girl, he noticed a shimmering light emanating from the frozen water. It was dim but noticeable. He turned to the girl but she had yet to see.

A burst of golden light emerged from the center of the lake. Jack jumped back a few steps. He was astonished by the light show that appeared out of nowhere.

"Hey, are you seeing this?" Jack asked the little girl. No response, no reply. Instead of trying to interact with her further, he jumped to the source of the light and looked down at the lake. He watched diligently as the light grew brighter. He saw the ice cracking rapidly, something was coming out of the water.

He looked back to see if the girl saw what he was seeing. However, she was gone, nowhere to be found. He turned back to the breaking ice. The light was as bright as the sun. As he watched the ice crumble, he saw a figure rise from the water. Jack bolted away from the rising body, completely astonished by what he saw, the person he saw.

"Why… why am I there…?" he asked himself. The figure that rose from the lake was none other than himself except he was in some blue cloak that was frosted at the edges. He watched his body glow bright gold and levitate. "… is… is that really me?"

The figure suddenly opened its eyes, spreading his arms and legs out. A torrent of golden light and a fury of snow expelled from his body. Shielding himself from the oncoming gale, he watched as his hand slowly faded away. He began scanning his entire body. He was rapidly disappearing.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's going–" He couldn't speak. The words refused to leave him. He looked back to the figure that was him only to see his own vision reconstructing itself. He was watching the floating figure suddenly change into another sight. He was now seeing himself in his old clothes disappear. Finally, he saw himself completely vanish from his view, fading into the wind and snow. He was now the one floating in the air.

"What once was mine." The voice whispered one final time. His body exploded into a tidal wave of energy. His eyes could only see a golden light. He closed his eyes from the blinding ray but the glow persisted. Unlike the darkness of his memories, the enveloping light was all too new for him. He was unsure of how to react. He let out a single breath of air and felt the energy leave him slowly but surely. He could feel his body settling down. The light slowly faded away.

As the light finally went dark, Jack opened his eyes and found himself somewhere he'd never seen before. He was in a flat, mossy area. Steam rose from cracks in the earth. Surrounding him were dozens upon dozens of mossy boulders and rocks. Sitting up from the grassy floor, he realized he wasn't in pain. He lifted his pullover to see the bandages were gone, all the wounds were healed.

"He's awake."

"The boy's awake."

"Look, he's up!"

Jack heard chanting all around him. He looked at his surrounding to find the source only to realize it was everywhere. He got up from the ground, taking a defensive stance. He searched for his staff but couldn't find its whereabouts.

"Grand Pabbie."

"Grand Pabbie!"

The voices chanted again. All the rocks started rolling over to Jack. The confused guardian whipped back and forth trying to figure out how to fend off the rolling stones.

Then appeared a rock rolling past all the others and towards Jack. Emerging from its crouching state stood a small and plump rock-like man with large ears and an even larger nose. It had long stems of grass over its head and trailing around its neck along with various yellow crystals. It wore a moss-covered attire and cloak.

"Hello, young man, and welcome the Valley of the Living Rock." The small rock man greeted. All the other rocks crouched up from their huddle and looked to the bewildered boy. All around him stood small rock people in grass like clothing.

"Oh… okay… trolls. Haven't seen one in a long time." Jack looked down at the small stone-like beings in slight amazement.

"How are you feeling, boy? You've been resting for a few hours now. You seem to be in top shape compared to how you were when you first arrived." The Grand Pabbie smiled.

"Yeah, I was wondering about that. Did you fix me up? I don't seem to be hurt anywhere. Also, do you know who brought me here? Oh, and where's my–" Jack paused as he heard voices and footsteps coming from behind him.

"Look, I don't know why we have to come back to this place. It's dark and gross and… well… just plain odd, really." A tall, brunette man explained.

"Of course, we have to come back. I still need to talk with my friend and we also need to check on– Hey!" a familiar girl cheered, rushing over to the pale guardian. "How are you? Are you better now? This is my first time actually trying to heal someone without my hair. Then again, of course, there was Eugene, but that was because–"

"Hold on, hold on a minute, slow down there. Haven't we met before?" Jack interrupted the excited girl. She looked flustered, rubbing the back of her neck. She pulled over the man accompanying her. A large, white horse trailed behind them. The collar around its neck read "Maximus."

"Yeah, we did, sort of. I'm Rapunzel, by the way. I saw you at the trading post a while back." She gave a nervous smile.

"Wait, you could see me back then? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well… at first we thought you were some crazy guy. You had some raggedy clothes on and no shoes, so–"

" 'She' thought you were crazy. I didn't even know you were there. Heck, I didn't even know what she was talking about until that beardy rock fellow tapped me on the head. Suddenly, I see you and some glowing guy flying around with our lost gecko–"

"Eugene! For the last time, Pascal is a chameleon. Anyways, we went to find my friend, Pascal, when I bumped into another friend of mine who needed my help. Um, Mr. Pabbie, where are they right now?" The girl knelt over to the older troll.

"Right behind you." Pabbie grinned. The couple turned around to see a glowing figure emerge from the forest. On his shoulder was the little green chameleon.

"Nightlight!" The girl in pink was ecstatic. She rushed over to the tall boy in glimmering armor, embracing him in a tight hug. Both Jack and Eugene looked at the two quizzically.

"Trouble at home there, Romeo?" Jack chuckled.

"Shut it, you. I already get enough flak from the horse over there." The brunette man glared at the white steed next to him. The horse started laughing at Eugene's displeasure.

Jack walked over to the two still in their embrace. He tapped Rapunzel on the shoulder. "Hey, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something but would it be okay if I talked with tall, bright, and glowy here?"

Rapunzel blushed, taking a few steps back and returning to Eugene's side. She had a guilty grin on her face while the man in the velvet vest looked at her judgmentally.

Jack stood eye level to the illuminated man and scanning him up and down. With his hand to his chin, he peered closer to the man's suit of armor, looking carefully at the design of it. Jack stood back up, looking over the unfamiliar man's face. He looked to his bright hair and then over to the spear-like staff in his hand.

"Okay, question one, who are you?" Jack leered at the man in front of him.

"He's Nightlight." Rapunzel answered. Jack turned around to the girl in pink. "Um, he doesn't talk very much. He's kinda shy."

"I see, fair enough. But, why did you help me." He glared at the figure suspiciously. Nightlight took his staff and stood it perfectly upright. Jack was amazed by the trick. The shining man started gesturing his hands as if to show the events that transpired which led him to assist Jack. However, he wasn't getting the message. Rapunzel rushed over to the two.

"He likes to speak with signs. I can help translate if you'd like." She offered.

"That'd be awesome! I had a friend that also talked with his hands and floating symbols but it was tough to understand him too." he chuckled.

"I find this scenario a bit unfair for the handsome prince standing here…" Eugene interrupted. Rapunzel gave him an irritated glare. "Alright, alright, fine. But, I want it on the record that I'm the boyfriend here!" The disgruntled man shot another glare at the horse. Maximus continued to snicker at the brunette man's unfortunate predicament.

"Okay, so what Nightlight was saying was…" Rapunzel paused as she watched him wave his hands in various signs and gestures. "He was… on his way to find… the source of the odd winter, but… only found dead ends. He noticed… a party of people that… looked like guards heading… towards the mountain. He followed behind to–"

"I think I get the picture now. You followed the men and found yourself at the ice castle. From there, you saw me completely beat up on the ground. But, why did you help me?" Jack asked, looking the man in the eyes. Nightlight pointed to Jack then to himself and motioned his hands a few times.

" 'You are like me'." Rapunzel repeated to Jack.

"I'm like… you? Does that mean you're… a Guardian?" The winter guardian's eyes got wider. Nightlight stood upright and smiled, nodding his head. His face suddenly filled with shock as he recalled something. He gripped his hands on Jack's shoulder, looking into his eyes.

"There's no more time. We must stop… the winter. Find… the queen. I'll find… Pitch." Nightlight stared intently. After the momentary shock, Jack's face was determined. He looked to the sky to see the sun over the mountain.

"You're right. It's time to settle this once and for all!" Jack shouted. He backed away from Nightlight, looking all around for his staff. A few rocks started rolling in a line towards him. When they popped from their huddle, the staff was in their hands, extending it to him.

"Be careful, young man. You should be weary of the queen's powers. There have been two people that were devastated by powerful ice magic. Do not let there be a third." The Grand Pabbie warned him. Jack chuckled at the remark.

"In all the earth, there is only one person that can take her hits and you're looking at him." Jack assured the elder troll. He launched to the rising sun in search of Arendelle. Before Nightlight joined him, Rapunzel gripped his hand.

"You'll be back, right? There's so much I want to talk to you about… When you left, I–" She was interrupted as Nightlight rubbed her cheek and smiled. He took the little chameleon off his shoulder and put him into her hands. She grinned as he rubbed the lone tear from her eye. Nightlight stood up and looked over to Eugene, nodding his head. The man returned the gesture and so did Maximus. Nightlight took his spear and launched into the sky like a shooting star.

"Mr. Pabbie, will they be alright?" Rapunzel asked the elder troll.

"Do not fear, they both have a strong heart with great determination. So long as you believe, they will succeed. Come now, Rapunzel, we will prepare you and your friends a place to rest until the winter has been dealt with." The other trolls took her hand and guided her through the valley.

Grand Pabbie saw in the air something flying down to them. He gestured the other trolls to move away from the center. Crashing down from the sky were a number of large reindeers and an intricately designed sleigh with surfboard like wings. From the sled emerged a large bearded man with a red coat lined with black fur trims and a black fur hat over his head.

"Ah, North, how are you. Are you doing well? It has been some time since you've had your last check-up." The older troll smirked as he made his way to his old friend.

"Yes, yes, I am good! Ice is all but gone now. Power of children's wonder is excellent medicine. Hah!" North cheered, pounding his chest. The little trolls began playing with the reindeers that guided North's sleigh. As the trolls moved the parked vehicle away from the center of the valley, Grand Pabbie guided his large friend to the other end of the forest to discuss more private matters.

"You know, I have a boy who is very interested in sleighs. It's like his personal hobby. He also has his own reindeer. They're both like family to us. Would you care to show him your sleigh sometime? I'm sure he would be amazed to see Saint Nick himself as well as the beautiful ride he possesses. I'm sure Sven would enjoy meeting other reindeers as well." Pabbie laughed as he thought of the boy his family took in so many years ago.

"Right, right, yes. Will come back later for that. Now, I come to check on friend! Nightlight said Overson is here?" North crouched to the small troll.

"You mean the boy in blue?" Pabbie asked the large Russian man. North nodded his head.

"Do not fret, he's doing fine. He just left to Arendelle with Nightlight."

"Ah, good, good to hear! Ombric will be happy to know." North seemed relieved.

"Are you not happy to know as well?"

"Erm… yes and no… he is one who did ice thing to me." He slouched back.

"What? He was the one that froze you? How can that be? The spells were from a similar source. Were you not struck by the daughter of Arendelle?" Grand Pabbie looked incredibly perplexed by the information.

North sat there confused as to who he was referring to. He shook his head. Grand Pabbie furrowed his brow. The elder troll started pacing back and forth through the forest to collect his thoughts. He stood firm in front of the Guardian in his home.

"I would like to speak with Ombric as soon as I can. There is something I'd like to discuss with him."