Hi again everybody I hope your day is going well! So remember when I told ya'll about my problem about the story not showing updates? Well I learned why. Apparently fanfiction only shows updates on stories K-T so if you want to see others you need to change the search setting to M or ALL, or whatever you want to see. I actually didn't know I'd set Hopeless Chaos to M, it was supposed to be T (mainly for the occasional swearing). So feel free to spread the word about that folks! Ok, one quick shout out then onto the chapter.
Curious Guest-When I first started reading fanfictions I saw most comments answered at the beginning of the chapter and I guess the habbit rubbed off on me. Would it make more sense for me to PM a reply? Yeah, but sometimes another person may have a similar question so I figured I may as well put up the answer where everyone can see. That and of course it's the only way to respond to non-author reviews :)
Warning: This chapter is being made up as I go along, so there's a chance it's gonna suck…big time lol. So sorry if it does!
Rise of the Guardians…not mine!
Chapter 5: A Prayer
It had been two weeks since Nat was taken prisoner, two weeks full of constant worry and attempts to make a decent plan to escape Eris' home alive. She had yet to come up with a single idea that didn't blow up after 20 seconds since producing it, and whenever the goddess was in sight she put on her best poker face, never letting her know what was really going through her mind. Currently the two lounged by the gigantic pool, Eris chattering away as if they were the best of friends.
"So I have to ask," she said moving onto another topic, "Why the rabbit? I mean, I'm sure there were better, more human spirits you could have settled down with?"
Nat didn't open her eyes as she answered, "Simple, because I love him. We make each other happy."
Eris turned to her side and rolled her eyes, "But happiness can only go so far sweetie! And you being pregnant obviously means you've…well you know."
"So?"
"So I can't imagine it! It's just too weird, he's all furry and, well, a giant rabbit."
Nat couldn't help but chuckle at her, much to her private displeasure, but she kept up the pleasantries hoping to stay on Eris' good side. "It's actually not as bad as I thought, Aster's fur is very soft and feels amazing as it brushes against your skin. And," she lowered her voice before continuing, "he's proven that the saying 'fucking like rabbits' was made for a reason."
Eris broke out into laughter, "Oh you naughty thing! You are quite a treat you know that? I almost feel bad that I have to kill you eventually…almost. But I will admit you're taking it all well."
The guardian of courage could barely keep the nonchalant smile on her face, "Well if I'm in such a nice prison I might as well enjoy it."
"See? Now that's the attitude to have. Too bad you aren't a goddess, we could have had eons of fun."
Nat shrugged, "Yeah too bad…well I'm going to go inside for a nap, I think this heat is getting to me."
Eris helped her up and as she laid back down said, "Alright you go rest up, I'll send someone with food for you in a couple hours."
The moment Nat was out of sight the smile dropped from her face. Once in her room she sighed loudly, deep in thought. She had to get a message to the others, but how? She didn't even know where she was! And Nat knew she may only get one chance, knowing Eris she'd sense it the moment she used her powers. All she knew about her location was that it was hot, and since the servants weren't allowed to speak Nat couldn't even tell if they were in another country. For all she knew she could be in Florida, Brazil, even the Caribbean! Not knowing what else to do, she crawled into her bed to sleep, hoping that an idea would come in her dreams.
~~~The Workshop~~~
Bunny stared at the globe with a frown on his face. Two weeks of searching and they'd come up with nothing! He sighed for the thousandth time when he heard footsteps enter the room.
"No sign of her in the Philippines Bunny," Angelus reported dejectedly as more Legends trailed in behind him.
"She isn't in the South Pole or Greenland either," Jack said next.
"And we couldn't find any trace in Russia and China," Sam spoke tiredly with his hand entwined with Patty's.
The pooka loosed an almost silent growl, "We must be missing somethin! Look again, an' don't leave any possible spot uncovered."
"Bunny," Cupid began cautiously, "We've searched the entire globe, and aside from the spreading chaos, haven't found a single clue to lead us to Nat."
"Then we keep looking until we do! Giving up isn't an option, our search ends when Natty's safe again!"
"No old friend," North walked in at that moment with Tooth and Nathaniel. "We must stop the searching."
Before Bunnymund could explode in rage Nathaniel, aka Father Time, spoke up, "It has become too risky. Any more looking and we also will be infected with the chaos. I have seen it happen and if it does, we are all doomed."
Bunny sighed in frustration, "You can bloody travel through time Nathaniel, surely there must be somethin you can do! Send us back ta when she was taken, and then we'll stop it from happening! Or, you can tell us how to defeat her since ya know so much!"
But the Legend was already shaking his head, "First off, only I can move through time, I cannot take others. Secondly, the future is constantly changing, I have seen multiple outcomes both good and bad. But I cannot tell you how for I do not know which ones work. Eris is clearly powerful enough to hide from our searches, so I don't know where she is either. I am sorry I am not more helpful, but time has countless rules that must be obeyed."
Everyone watched the warrior stew in silence until he punched the nearby wall with an aggravated shout, putting a hole in it. After a minute of tension North spoke, "From now on, everyone is to stay away from the chaos, but please, keep looking in the places that had yet to be infected. The chaos may be spreading, but it does so slowly; so it should not be hard to avoid. Nathaniel, I know you time is tricky business, but I am begging you. Eris said she'd been here before, so please go back to when that was and see if there is any information that can help us."
The middle aged man nodded and said, "I'll do my best," before he shimmered and disappeared. Tooth then suggested everyone go to their homes and rest, so the remaining Legends left the room, their heads bowed in defeat.
April was the last to leave and just before exiting said, "Don't worry, we'll keep looking until we can't anymore. And when we aren't looking, we'll do all sorts of research on Eris to find a weakness." She then left, leaving the five Guardians alone.
Jack came up to Bunny, who had his gaze back on the globe, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Bunny you should get some rest too."
But he shook his head and jerked his shoulder away, "I'll rest when Nat is safe and Eris is gone."
"But you haven't slept-"
"I don' care how long it's been!" He snapped at the winter spirit, softly yet harsh. "Every minute I waste could be crucial for-" Nat's name escaped from Bunny's lips in a sigh as North caught him as he fell, now sound asleep.
"Good aim Sandy." The golden man nodded and followed the Russian as he carried Bunny to a guest room. Tooth and Jack stood in silence until the fairy sighed quietly.
"Are you alright?"
She looked to Jack with tear filled eyes, "No I'm not. I'm worried sick about Nat, and I feel like there's nothing we can do! How are we supposed to beat a goddess? She's older, stronger, you saw how our attacks did nothing to her! And-and-"
"Hey it's ok," Jack pulled Tooth into his arms as the tears overflowed, "Babe you can't give up hope now, we need it more than ever. Not just for our sake, but for Bunny's too. We're going to get her back, and everything will turn out fine."
"H-How do you know?" she hiccupped.
"Because…because we're the good guys, and the good guys always win."
Tooth lifted her head and looked at him, "That's not a good reason at all."
He chuckled softly and covered her face with feather soft kisses, wiping her remaining tears away, "I know, but it's all I got right now. Nat's my sister Tooth, and I'm terrified of what may happen. But if we stay positive and focused, I know we'll save her. Eris may be strong, but so are we, especially together. It'll be ok."
The couple held each other for a few minutes in silence before Tooth pulled away, "I think I'm going to go to bed too. Are you coming?"
Placing a gentle yet caring kiss on her lips he answered, "I will in just a bit." She smiled at the soft smile on his lips and flew to his bedroom. When alone he turned to the window, "Anything yet Wind?"
Jack's companion of almost 400 years answered sadly, "I'm sorry brother, but I still cannot feel Natalie. Something hides her from me."
He sighed, swearing silently as he turned his gaze to the moon. For a few moments he just stared at it in silence, letting his shoulders hunch from the hopelessness that weighed heavily on him. He then spoke, his voice soft and broken.
"Please Manny," he whispered, "let, let her be alright...help us." The last part was almost like a prayer, and after blinking away the tears that had formed in his eyes, Jack straightened his shoulders, left the globe room, and joined his fairy in bed.
~~~Nat~~~
A knocking at the door woke her after a few hours rest and Nat sat up, moving to the edge of her bed. After granting permission to enter she watched a short and nervous looking man come into the room with a tray of fruits. He went to place it on her dresser but she stopped him, an idea in mind.
"No, bring it to me." The servant changed his direction and upon reaching her bedside handed the tray over. She moved her hands back slightly at the last moment, allowing the tray to fall to the floor. It clattered and startled the man, who instantly went to his knees to pick up the mess.
"Perdone seniorita, lo siento mucho."
Nat grinned, this was exactly what she had hoped would happen. Softening her smile she helped put the remaining few fruits back onto the tray.
"Es bastante bueno, es solo un accidente," she replied smoothly. The servant smiled brightly at her kind smile and left promptly to fetch more food. When he was gone Nat pumped her fist in the air. Finally she made some progress! She was in a Spanish speaking country and from what she had learned of the language over the years made an educated guess that she was in Spain. Nat went and drew a bath, feeling more hopeful than she had in weeks. Now all she had to do was send a message to the others. The only question she had was how to do it…
I know this was short and uneventful. This story isn't meant to be huge, just a short quick little tale that eventually leads to Nat an d Bunny children. The Spanish parts-"Pardon me miss, I'm very sorry." "It's quite alright, it was only an accident." These chapters are definitely not going to be the 3000-4000 word chapters but I will try to make them lomger than this one. So what's going to happen next? Your guess is as good as mine. Now review if you want to!
