Chapter Four

Jack woke up almost an entire day later.

Tooth was the only one in the room at the time, she being the only one who could afford to sit idly. All of the others had gone back to their duties once Bunny pointed out that just sitting there wasn't going to help Jack.

Jack didn't wake up gradually like people do in movies or books. He just opened his eyes, blinked once and sat up, nearly giving Tooth a heart attack in the process. After getting over her initial shock, she shot into the air and slammed into Jack, giving him a huge hug.

"Jack!" she squealed. "You're awake! Oh, my goodness, I have to go get the others. Don't move!"

Jack watched with amusement as Tooth flitted out of the room as fast as she could, calling for, well, everyone. He looked around, glad to see that he was in his own room. The balcony doors were open and there was frigid wind swirling around the room, carrying flurries and snowflakes.

"Hey, Wind," Jack greeted, and the wind swirled faster in excitement. He got out of bed, one hand on the wall in case he fell, and made his way over to the chair by the balcony. He settled into it with a content sigh, closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling of icy air kissing his face.

Not five minutes later, his door exploded open with a bang, making Jack jump about a foot in the air. He watched with wide eyes as Tooth, North, Sandy, Bunny, Mother Nature and the Generals all filed into his room.

The Guardians all rushed him and gave him a huge hug, talking about how worried they were and how glad they were that he was awake.

"Thanks, guys," Jack said, smiling and slipping out of North's bone-crushing grip. He turned to Mother Nature and his smile grew wider. Emily Jane smiled too and held her arms open. Jack didn't hesitate before throwing himself into her embrace.

"I was so worried," she murmured. Lila wrapped her arms around him from behind, then smacked the back of his head.

"Don't ever do that again!" she scolded. "You nearly gave Mother a heart attack when she found out."

Jack stuck out his tongue and laughed when Lila did the same. Ash and Sunny both latched onto Jack as soon as he was released by Mother Nature and Lila, and Sunny started sobbing into his neck.

"I was s-so scared!" she wailed. "W-when we found your s-staff, and it was b-broken and-"

"Hey, it's okay, sis," Jack said. "I can fix my staff, it's not the first time it's been broken."

"Wait, hold on a minute," Bunny interrupted. "'Sis'? She's your sister?"

"Yeah," Jack said. "Well, technically adopted. Mother Nature's our mom, and the four of us might as well be related what with how close we are."

"Vell, that vas unexpected," North said. Sandy nodded in agreement. Tooth, still fluttering above the group, squealed again.

"I'll be right back!" she promised, zooming out of the room. A few minutes later she was back, holding the four pieces of Jack's staff. "Here, Jack."

"Thanks, Tooth," he said. Furrowing his brow a little, he grabbed the first two pieces and held them together. Closing his eyes, he scrunched up his face in concentration. A faint blue-white glow came from where the two pieces met, growing brighter and brighter.

There was a small flash of light that had everyone closing their eyes, and when they opened them, the two pieces were one. Jack sighed and grabbed the next piece, doing the same thing. After the last piece was connected and the staff was whole once more, Jack was exhausted.

His eyes were shut halfway and he was leaning heavily on Mother Nature for support.

"We should let him rest," she said, addressing the room. Jack mumbled something that sounded like "Please do" and Mother Nature smiled fondly down at him. "Wind, if you would?"

The wind swirled and lifted Jack, laying him down on his bed. He waved his hand and a thin sheet of ice formed over him like a blanket.

"Thanks for the rescue, guys," he said drowsily. "Now please get out of my room or I'll have no choice but to freeze your legs together and have Phil escort you out. And don't think that I won't, because I've done it before. Ask Ash."

They all turned to Ash and the spirit of autumn nodded gravely. Hiding small smiles, the group left. Mother nature was the last to leave. She leaned over Jack's bed, brushing his hair back from his face and placing a kiss to his forehead.

"I love you, Jack," she said softly.

"I love you, too, Mom," Jack mumbled back, letting his eyes slip shut. Mother Nature waved her hand and cooled the room down even further before leaving. The door made a soft click when she shut it and all she could think of was how glad she was that her child was back home.

… oO()Oo …

By the time Jack woke up again, the sun had risen and he was feeling a lot better. The Guardians and Generals, when he found them, were in North's largest common room. They were all lounging around in armchairs and sofas when he entered.

"Hey, guys," he greeted cheerfully. All eyes snapped to him and smiles split every face in the room.

"How are you feeling?" Mother Nature asked.

"Great," Jack answered. "The fever's gone and I'm totally ready to get back to work."

North frowned. "Vork?" he asked. "Jack, you should still rest. One day is not enough time."

"It is for a seasonal," Ash said from his spot on the floor. "We heal a lot faster than other spirits."

"Besides," Sunny said, "we can't afford another day. Already the elementals have been messing the planet up."

"How do you know?" Bunny asked and Lila pointed to Mother Nature.

"Mother can feel the conflicting weather patterns and stuff," she said. "Without us to guide them, the elementals have no idea what the planet needs, so they've been doing whatever they want."

"I don't know, Jack," Tooth said worriedly. "I'd feel a lot better if you at least stayed here for another day or two."

"I can't, Tooth. I'm the only one besides Mom who can control the North wind and bring winter, and she has enough to do already."

The Guardians reluctantly agreed to let Jack go back to his General duties only after Mother Nature reminded them that Jack was first and foremost a General, and his job was very important to the natural balance.

They watched him go with small frowns on their faces that only deepened when Jack stumbled a little when taking off. He never stumbled, ever. He obviously wasn't completely over the ordeal, but the planet needed him, so the Guardians would just have to suck it up and let him go. Didn't mean they couldn't complain, though.

"I don't think Jack should have gone," Tooth said unhappily after the four Guardians retired back to the common room.

"Da, I agree vith Tooth," North said. "Jack should still be resting. He vasn't at full strength vhen he left."

Sandy waved his hands to get their attention then pointed to the sand shapes flashing above his head.

"Sandy's right," Bunny said when the Sandman was finished. "Elliot coulda done a lot worse to Jack, but all he did was lock him up. If he was really afta revenge like Haze said he was, he woulda done more than just bruise him a little."

"Vhat are you saying, Sandy?" North asked. More symbols flashed above Sandy's head and the other three all frowned when he was finished.

"A distraction?" Tooth asked. "A distraction from what?"

Understanding slowly dawned on Bunny's face, even before Sandy "voiced" his idea.

"I dunno know what he's doing," Bunny said, drawing the attention of the other three, "but I'm pretty sure he wanted to keep Motha Nature and the Gen'rals busy."

Tooth gasped and her eyes widened.

"Where's John?" she whispered. They looked around and realized for the first time that the last time any of then had seen him was when they were rescuing Jack.

"Do you think he was in on it?" Bunny asked. Sandy flashed some more symbols. "You're right, Sandy. John was probably helping Elliot the whole time."

"What do we do?" Tooth asked. "If this whole thing was just a distraction, what is he planning?"

"Ve must alert Mother Nature," North said. "I fear for the safety of the vorld if Elliot is not stopped."