THIS IS A REVISED VERSION OF THE SAME STORY! Due to the high demand, I have decided to get back into writing and make this into a multi chapter fic. WOOP! I'm actually really excited about this. As stated previously, this was a quick idea 15 year old me decided to jot down in middle of the night, and I haven't really checked up on it since to know how we'll it had done. Now it's two years later and 17 year old me is definitely up to the challenge! I'm adding this as a second chapter because while I obviously had improvements to the last chapter, it was the first thing I ever wrote outside of school, and I'm proud of that! So yeah, enjoy! I'll probably take a few weeks to get some of the chapter written or at least planned so I can keep a regular update schedule without so much pressure, which I get plenty of with AS levels in May. It may even be then till I start updating, but at least you know that there is hope now. Okay, well enough of me rambling, here's the new/revised first chapter!
Jack stared in horror as Pitch aimed the black nightmare arrow at Sandy. The short, golden haired spirit was far too focused on his own battle with the black sand stallions to notice or take any time to defend himself. Summoning all of his power in one almighty blast, the white haired spirit propelled himself forward using the full force of the wind - fast enough to beat Bunnymund in a race any day.
The nightmares that the glowing gold Sandman had been fighting unsuccessfully suddenly halted in their attack before turning a frosty silver, a powerful shockwave shattering the enemy creations in their thousands. Sandy whirled himself around just in time to see the look of utter shock and surprise on Pitch's face, followed by a soul chilling smirk as Jack fell from the sky between, the young spirits staff spiralling toward the ground only to land in North's sleigh which swooped under it just before it could reach the rooftops below. Sandy was by Jacks side in an instant as the limp and seemingly unconscious boy was lowered into the sleigh by Tooth, who had been the first one to get her wits together and catch him in his quick decent. North lowered the sleigh gently to the ground in a clearing by the lake where Jack seemed to live. It was only now that Sandy noticed the thick black arrow, the tip of which was currently protruding through Jack's stomach. Immediately images began flickering at the speed of light over the guardians head. Although the others could not even hope to understand what was being said at the speed the Sandman was talking they knew what to answer.
"When you were fighting the nightmares Pitch shot an arrow at your back" Tooth spoke quietly. "Jack-" she was unable to continue through her tears but North carried on for her, looping one of his large arms around her shoulders as he did.
"Jack flew in front of it. He saved you."
"Well if we don't get some medical supplies over here fast then we're not going to be able to save him!" Bunny ordered firmly. North, getting the message, ran to find the medical box he always kept on the sleigh in case of emergencies.
Sandy was unable to even attempt to form the images he tended to communicate with. He just walked over to the immortal teen's side and grasped his hand gently but firmly. The winter spirits breaths were harsh and rasping, the occasional moan of pain being heard as Bunny got to work.
"How are we supposed to get this arrow out so I can treat him!? It's bloody well made out of sand!" Bunnymund yelled angrily
Sandy looked up suddenly and touched the weapon with his small hand. The black arrow promptly turned gold and swirled around them gently before disappearing entirely.
It was after an entire hour or so of gruelling silence before Bunny let his head drop over Jack's chest, his shoulders heaving violently, though making no sound.
"He's gone"
Tooth cried out in anguish as she buried her head into North's thick red coat before dropping to the ground, taking Jack's now limp hand and sobbing into it as she held it to her cheek. Sandy tightened his grip immensely on the cold hand he hadn't let go of since he first reached the boy. Bunnymund stepped back, face seemingly void of emotion before letting out his rage on the tree North had just been leaning on. The latter, on the other hand, donned a look of absolute outrage.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN GONE?!" North yelled loudly. "HE. IS. IMMORTAL! HE IS GUARDIAN! He cannot die! He cannot" he repeated, as much for his own comfort as anything else.
"I just don't know mate. Maybe Pitch did something to the sand…" the Guardian of Hope trailed off uncertainly, having finally calmed his rage in order to be of support to his fellow guardians.
At the mention of the sand, Sandy adopted a look of rage looking so wrong and out of place on the guardian's usually calm and serene face.
Sensing the oncoming explosion, North stepped forward to rest his large hand on the smaller guardian's shoulder, who seemed to deflate under the touch, looking up sadly.
"We… we should really go back," Tooth said softly removing herself from the forest floor. "As much as I don't like to say it, without Jack we're too vulnerable out here."
Bunnymund lifted Jack in silent agreement, moving Jack from the shade of the large oak towards the sleigh, which was bathed in the moon's light due to its position in the clearing.
As he laid Jack on the leather seat, however, his body began to glow the same silvery light until those nearby had to shield their eyes from the sheer intensity of it.
As the light began to wane there was a loud splutter and the sound of heaving as the subject of everyone's attention snapped upright, trying to gulp in as much air as possible. Sandy was the first to react, zooming forward to support the spirit they had all believed to be dead but was now grasping out to the side in a fruitless attempt to re-orientate himself.
When everyone finally leaned back Jack coughed slightly before smiling at the golden spirit he had saved and was still grasping his upper arm as if afraid that if he let go, the fragile boy in front of him might fade away into nothing.
"You might want to loosen you grip a bit there sandman. I think my arm just lost its circulation" he joked lightly, chuckling as he did so.
Sandy immediately let go of the chilly arm and looked up at Jack sheepishly. He inclined his head slightly in a mark of thanks and respect to the winter spirit and made a glowing gold sand medal which he then placed around Jacks neck. He gave the boy a thumbs up while everyone else cheered.
Jack faced a further few minutes of being poked and prodded by Bunny who was intent to ensure there would be no lasting damage to the boy he thought he had lost. After a particularly sharp prod and a final exclamation of "I'm fine already!" from Jack, the five were back in the sleigh and ready to go.
Sailing through the air supposedly impossible speeds, North decided against his personal wishes that it was time to break the comfortable silence that had fallen "So, since we got a little sidetracked," he said while peeking over his shoulder at Jack who simply smiled sheepishly, "does anyone know what happened to our resident trouble maker, Pitch?"
"Oh, I'm right here" spoke an amused voice as its tall and slender owner materialised on the seat next to Tooth, disappearing as the sleigh careened roughly to the left as the aforementioned guardian punched out, spewing out some choice language she would certainly not be saying around the children. "And here I was thinking you'd forgotten all about me!" the now formless voice echoed, seeming to come from all directions.
Immediately the guardians, minus North, formed a protective stance around their newest member who was now struggling to sit up back up.
"Oh don't worry my friends. I'm sure we'll be reacquainted soon enough. Go back to the pole or wherever you hold your secret little club meetings. Heal him. I'm going to have a little fun."
Suddenly the voice was whispering, hot breath ghosting over Jack's ear, who shuddered involuntarily.
"You'll like that won't you? You are the guardian of fun
