Hi everyone! Look! A new chapter finally! I know I say this everytime, but I'll try and be quicker next time. Thank you so much for reading and please review! Thanks!
The week flew by (literally), for the both of them. Jack played more tricks than usual and Joy laughed as much as she talked. Jack harassed some Russians, accidentally snowed in some Canadians, and the sledding in Utah was the best! Before he went to meet Joy, he stopped by Burgess. Jack cheered as he soared through the streets.
"Snow day!" he yelled wildly. Oh, he loved Burgess. Jack made to land in Sophie's bedroom, but a particularly blustery wind almost threw him against the side of the house. Finally he managed to land, with a fair amount of stumbling, on the fluffy white carpet. Sophie looked up from playing with her dolls and practically tackled Jack.
"Oof," he said as Sophie knocked the wind out of him. "Hey, Soph. How are you feeling?" She wiped a snotty nose on her sleeve and dragged him over to her dolls.
"I'm good. Let's play!" she replied. Suddenly, Sophie got an evil little grin on her face. She ran over to a chest next to the wall and began to pull things out of it. Dress up things. Picking up a sequiny purple dress, she turned back towards Jack and started to advance on him. He began to back up.
"Ah, let's not do that Soph. Sophie, I am not getting into that. Sophie, put the dress down!"
"Sophie! Mom made lunch. Sophie?" Jamie opened the door warily and ended up on the floor laughing. Jack was tied and gagged and currently wearing that purple dress along with a lopsided tiara. He rolled his eyes at Jamie, who couldn't stop laughing, but couldn't help smiling (or trying to) himself. Once Jamie had control over himself again, he untied Jack.
"Thanks," he said as he struggled to get the dress off. Sophie did not looked pleased, but quickly brightened up when she heard there was food downstairs.
"I'm drawing a picture of that," Jamie said with a smug look. Jack gave him a look like don't you dare, but truthfully, he couldn't wait to see what it looked like.
"Are you excited for Christmas?" he asked. Jamie jumped up and down.
"Yes! I convinced my mom to let me stay up all night and wait for Santa!"
"That's awesome! I'll let him know to look for you." A thought suddenly occurred to Jamie. "Jack! Where are you going for Christmas?" he asked.
"I'm going to North's with Joy," he explained.
"Like, a date?" he whispered. Jack grinned and nodded. Jamie made a disgusted face.
"Ew. Girls are gross!" Jack patted Jamie on the back and laughed.
"Trust me, one day, you'll think differently." He looked at the clock on the wall. "In fact, I should probably be going," He gave Jamie a hug. "Merry Christmas, Jamie!" Jack launched himself out the window and heard Jamie yell to him, "Merry Christmas, Jack!"
It was good to be believed in.
Joy, on the other hand, was in India playing ball with some kids on the streets, pretending to be Sherlock Holmes with a small boy in London, and singing a lullaby to a small girl in Japan who was convinced No Face was in her closet. Joy also checked up on Izzy and Chris. They were actually staying with Izzy's friend until their parents worked things out. Joy flew up to a small window carrying two packages and a grocery sack. She rapped softly on the pane and waited for someone to answer. Before long, the window was opened and Izzy leaned out.
"Joy!" Izzy said. The day after their walk in the park, Izzy almost believed it was a dream. Of course she would never admit that, though. "What are you doing here?" She was surprised and relived now to see Joy hovering outside her window. It hadn't been a dream.
"I thought I'd just stop by and say merry Christmas. I have some gifts for you guys," she explained, gesturing at the packages.
"Oh, Joy. You shouldn't have. Come on in." Izzy stepped away from the window and allowed Joy to float in and touch down.
"Chris!" Izzy called down the hall. There was a padding of footsteps in the hallway and the small boy poked his head in.
"Joy! What are you doing here?" he asked. She held out the gifts to the two of them.
"Merry Christmas!" she replied.
"Oh wow! Thanks Joy!" Chris said while giving her a hug. "Can I open it now?"
"Well... Just this once. Go for it," replied Joy with a huge grin. Chris ripped the wrapping paper with an eager look on his face. Izzy opened hers too, but without the ferocity of a nine year old.
"Wow! I've been meaning to read these, but I could never find them. Where did you get them?" he asked with a joyful gleam in his eye. Joy had gotten him the Underland Chronicles for Christmas. She knew he loved to read and these seemed perfect.
"A friend got them for me." It's not like Joy could walk in and pay for a whole book series by herself. It'd freak people out.
"What did you get, Izzy?" her younger brother asked. However, Izzy wasn't paying attention. She was currently flipping through two brand new books of guitar music. Finally, she stood up.
"Joy, these are awesome!" One thing she had mentioned that night in the park was that she played classical guitar. It was one of the things that kept her sane. She gave Joy a hug. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Joy replied with a smile. "I better be going. I'm meeting Jack soon."
"Merry Christams!" Chris said. Joy smiled again, leaped from the window, and did a back flip.
It was good to be believed in.
Jack landed by the tree he had hid in the other night and wandered around. He etched out some frost patterns on the ground and on the benches too. Then a snowball hit him on the back of his head. Jack spun around and lobbed one back at Joy, who had been giggling until the snowball hit it's mark. Then she was laughing full out. She brushed the snow out of her hair and gave Jack a hug.
"Hey," he said hugging her back. "Are you ready?"
"Definitely! This is going to be so much fun!" She beamed. Joy seemed to be doing that a lot these days. Then Jack noticed that along with her usual pouch of sugar she also had a grocery sack.
"What's in there?" he asked reaching to look into it. She pulled it away.
"No peeking. They're presents," Joy replied. Jack facepalmed.
"Ugh! I can't believe I forgot presents! I'll just have to raid North's workshop." Then Jack reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out what looked like a snow globe.
"What's that?" Joy asked, the globe piquing her curiousity. Jack smiled.
"This is our way there," he replied as he tossed it into the air. A colorful, twisting portal opened in midair revealing a beautiful, snowy mountain. Jack grabbed Joy's hand and they ran for the portal, which sealed with a 'pop' as soon as they were through.
"Is Jack here yet?" Toothania asked as she flitted around the large globe.
"Not yet. And I wouldn't miss him if he didn't show up," Bunnymund replied. North walked in dressed in the full red suit. He was about to set out and was going to say good bye.
"Bunny!" he said, giving the rabbit a bone crushing hug. "It's Christmas! Lighten up! Be jolly." Sandy floated through the door looking sleepy, but forcing himself to stay awake. Suddenly he perked up and pointed at the window above. All of the Guardians turned to face the full moon which had begun to glow brightly.
"Ah, Manny! Merry Christmas!" North shouted.
Merry Christmas to you too, old friend. He seemed to look around at all of them. Before you leave I have something important to show you all. Shadows and light mixed on the cold, marble floor creating images of children who were sad and alone. Not a great way to start off Christmas Eve.
"Is it Pitch?" Bunnymund asked, looking at Manny.
No, this is a new threat. Loneliness; Despair. I have decided to call another new Guardian to fight this. The current Guardians looked at each other curiously. Two new Guardians within two years? Times really were changing.
"Who is it?" North asked. For an answer the legendary crystal began to rise from the floor. The moonlight revealed a figure in the shining gem. There was a girl, about Jack's physical age, with a long ponytail down her back. She was playing with what looked like a powder of some kind, morphing it into various shapes. Everyone glanced at Sandy, who looked confused.
Do not be put out, Sandman. She is not here to replace you. He sounded amused. In fact, I believe she will be working primarily with Jack.
"I don't recognize her," said Tooth. "But it'll be great to meet another girl!"
I expect you shall be meeting her soon. Tell Jack hello for me.
"Good bye, Manny!" North shouted. Turning back to the Guardians he said, "Does anyone know who she is?" Sandy tried to explain through pictures, but it was too complicated.
"She almost looks like an angel," said Tooth, examining the figure.
"A Guardian angel!" cried North, who then proceeded to laugh raucously at his own joke. Then he saw what time it was.
"Ah! Good bye everyone! I have got toys to deliver!" North left and the crystal slid back into the ground. As the other Guardians were about to leave, a portal opened up where the crystal had been a moment before. Out tumbled two people; first Jack and then the girl they had all seen. Both fell to the ground and lay there laughing, their hands intertwined. Finally Jack helped the mysterious girl up and looked around at everyone.
"Hey Sandy," he said with a wave. "Tooth," with a grin. "Rabbit," with disdain. "This is Joy. She's the Imaginary Friend."
Joy smiled at all of them and waved. She had to admit, after the trip through the portal and being at the North Pole, she was a little star crossed. For Pete's sake, these were the Guardians. Joy looked around at them, but this time looking for emotions. Sandy waved excitedly at her and then floated out of the room, a cup of hot chocolate floating above his head. Bunnymund nodded at her and then gave Jack a look best described as, really? He then rolled his eyes and hopped away. Toothania was looking a little put out and had some green mist above her head. Jealousy? Why? She flitted over to Jack and gave him a huge hug.
"It's so good to see you, Jack!"
"Hey Tooth. It's great to see you too," he said while hugging her back. "Is Baby Tooth here?"
"Oh yeah! She's checking out the workshop right now, but she'll be back," Tooth turned to Joy. "I'm Toothania, but call me Tooth. So, you're the Imaginary Friend?" Joy nodded.
"That's me." The mist around the fairy thickened and with an obvious reluctance she said, "How about we go get some cookies and you can tell me about what you do." And how you met Jack. she thought.
"Sure! That'd be great. Jack, you coming?" He shook his head.
"I'll catch up with you guys. I've need to find some presents." With that he soared off towards the workshop. Tooth smiled thinly at Joy and led the way. Truthfully, she was slightly confused. Why would the Tooth Fairy be jealous of her? Joy took a deep breath and followed.
Jack bounded into the room that functioned as the living room. It was huge with a 20 foot ceiling and that far across. A huge pine tree stood in the middle of the room with a truckload of presents underneath. Tinsel and ornaments of every color decorated the tree (along with a few elves that had gotten stuck). At the top was a huge star. Jack loved Christmas.
As he approached the tree to place his presents under the tree someone yelled, "Look out!" Unfortunately Jack did not move quick enough and ended up in a chaotic dog pile with Tooth, Joy, and Sandy. None of them were able to stand up because they were all laughing so hard.
"What were you guys doing?" Jack choked out between fits of laughter. It took a few moments for them to compose themselves, but Joy finally managed to reply, "We were playing tag. And for the record, you're it." Jack jumped to his feet.
"Sweet! Five second head start. Ready, set, GO!" Joy and Tooth flew off in various directions while Sandy shook his head and floated lazily over to the couch where Bunnymund was sitting. Jack floated over and tapped the rabbit on the head with his staff.
"You're it, Ausie."
"In your dreams, Frostbite. I ain't moving."
"Aw, come on Bunny. You know you want to," When the Easter Bunny didn't answer Jack leaned in closer and said, "Bet you can't catch me." Bunny's ears twitched. Jack flew out of reach just as Bunnymund leaped.
"It's on Frostbite!" he called as the chase began. "You're going down."
Joy flew in between great pillars of various toys. She tried really hard to avoid the yetties, but she kept running into them.
"Sorry!" she called over her shoulder as she clipped one that was carrying a huge pile of presents. It didn't take a genius to figure out the things he was yelling at her were not that nice.
She flew around the corner and was nearly impaled in the eye. She flew back and took a good look at the little fairy in front of her. It tweeted at her angrily.
"Sorry. I didn't see you there." It huffed and crossed it's arms. After a moment of awkward silence she introduced herself. "I'm Joy. Are you Baby Tooth?" The fairy looked over at her in recognition and tweeted again.
"I came here with Jack." She tweeted with surprise. "We're playing tag. Want to join?" The fairy nodded and flew off.
"Hey! Wait up!" Joy called and flew after her with a smile on her face.
Jack was currently laughing at Bunnymund's yells echoing through the workshop. The yetties were giving him unfriendly looks. Jack laughed again, turned to go back to the living room, and almost ran into Tooth.
"Woah! Hey Tooth," he said.
"Hi Jack," she said with a smile. "Is that you that Bunny's yelling about?"
"Who else could it be?" he replied with a mischievous grin. Tooth and Jack flitted and flew towards the living room together.
"So… You and Joy seem pretty… friendly," she mentioned nonchalantly.
Jack chuckled. "Yeah, she's great."
"Are you two… together?" the fairy asked curiously. Jack raised an eyebrow.
"Um… I honestly don't know." He felt kind of awkward. Girls were not his strong point. 300 years without talking to a single girl his age had left him out of practice.
"Oh, well. I was just wondering if maybe you'd want to go on a date sometime." Tooth sounded hopeful.
Jack felt even more awkward. Tooth was one of his best friends! Just not like that. She was mostly like an older sister.
"Tooth, you're awesome and fun and pretty and I like you, but…"
"Not like that," she finished, disappointed. Jack felt bad. The Tooth Fairy shook her wings out and held her head up. "That's ok. But, if you change you're mind, let me know." With a small smile she flew the rest of the way back. Jack sighed. Thank goodness that was over. Deciding to take a quick detour, he flew back to the workshop. It was huge, filled with fun new toys, and very hight tech. The perfect distraction. He needed to stop thinking about girls. So if hijacking (haha, punny) a prototype toy airplane and pelting yetties with snowballs was what it took to get them off his mind, then who was he to argue?