5. Firefighters

Note: Putting together the timeline, Midday is way older than Jack…and America. However, some of the guesses are close, just not in the way you think.

July 12

Kansas

Shiny red sandals touched down on the prairie, incinerating the grass below. The figure looked around. If a human had been there, they would have been struck by the newcomer's odd appearance. It wasn't that the clothing was strange, but the coloration ruined any chance of blending in. A neon yellow spaghetti strap top, bearing the image of a black tribal sun, equally neon orange capris, and the previously mentioned sandals were practically outrageous in their vibrancy, while the addition of a black belt with a gold sun buckle and matching black leather wrist cuffs implied an edgier side. All in all, she looked like a Californian beach goer had been attacked by spray paint and initiated into a biker gang. Ergo, weird.

Brushing a lock of wavy hair off her shoulder, the teen looked around, smiling slightly at the open land. The very dry, flammable land. Lady Midday held out her arm as the familiar weight of her scythe fell into her waiting hand. Go time. She began walking through the prairie, the hand carrying the scythe held out, moving over the grass. As she walked, the scythe's glow increased, draining the remaining water from the plant matter. Midday smiled, pleased by her tool's usefulness. Years ago, she had used the scythe to help plants retain water, preventing the ruination of crops. This was way more satisfying.

Midday knelt, raising the golden blade high into the air, aiming for the ground in front of her. One strike into the soil and she'd have one hell of a brush fire. Her grip tightened as her pulse increased. This was the best part of her job.

"Stop right there, witch!"

Damn.

HSHSHSHS

"Stop right there, witch!" Tooth shouted as the Guardians arrived through North's portal. It had taken a few days, but Bunny and North's combined experience with magic had enabled them to track the elusive spirit's movements. The tooth fairy felt her feathers ruffle as she looked at the girl, who had yet to move her gaze from the ground. She'd only met the redhead once, but it had been enough to instill a deep hatred, rivaling the female Guardian's dislike of Pitch Black. And that was before she'd gone after Jack.

Seconds ticked by, and still Lady Midday remained stationary, totally ignoring their presence. It was a battle of wills to see who would make the next move. They lost. Bunny snapped, streaking across the prairie, boomerang pulling back. With a roar, he let it fly. Closer, closer, thump. Jaws dropped at the sight.

Their opponent rose, boomerang held in her left hand. She'd caught it without looking up. Bunnymond's eyes widened, taking a reflexive step back as the other examined her new toy.

BANG!

The Guardian of Hope didn't even have time to yell as the flaming boomerang hit him square in the chest, throwing him back several feet and igniting his fur. And so it began. The Guardians (sans Bunny and Jack, who was extinguishing the former) advanced and battle erupted. Only able to watch, Jack looked on helplessly. This was going to be a bloodbath.

North charged, swords swinging. Falling back, Midday moved with unnatural speed, deflecting his attacks with her scythe before parrying, knocking one of the blades from his grip. Seeing his shock, she moved forwards, striking out with a fire-coated left hand. Lady Midday snarled in anger as a gold sand shield blocked her strike before bending backwards in a perfect ninety degree angle to avoid the remaining sword that nearly took her head off. Sandy and North fought in tandem, one attacking while the other defended, while Tooth circles around, looking for an opening. It would be easier if she didn't keep getting distracted by the summer spirit's muttering ("Old man smells like snow," and "weaklings burn" featured among them).

There. Lifting her own sword, a delicate golden saber, Tooth dove, sights set on the other female's exposed back. Bad call. Tooth barreled into Sandy, nearly skewering him, and the two tumbled to the ground as Midday shot into the air, pushed by the fire pouring from the soles of her shoes. Immediately, Tooth and Sandy rose and a new fight commenced. Both sides had an advantage. On one hand, Lady Midday clearly had trouble flying this way. Yes, she was capable, but she lacked the natural grace that came with Tooth's wings and the Sandman's levitation. And yet, in terms of strength, ferocity, and skill, she was still demolishing them. With a cry, Tooth fell from the sky after a brutal kick to the ribs, barely being caught by North, who had to dive to do so.

Jack froze, unsure of what to do. North was grounded, Bunny and Tooth were clearly injured, and Sandy, despite his centuries of skill, was unwilling to hurt the fallen hero. Should he join them? Yes, came the immediate response from his mind, help her. Wait, what? Jack blinked at the thought as the battle raged above him. He was here to stop her, why the hell did he feel the need to protect Midday? Not only could she destroy them all, but he was supposed to support his friends. Shaking off the inner debate, Jack summoned the wind, flying towards the clashing sand and fire. Pushing his staff forward, Jack let forth a blast of ice, catching the summer spirit's feet. Her method of flight disabled, the girl hit the ground hard, burning a ten foot radius in the ground around her. North advanced again, sword raised, as Midday righted herself, weapon also at the ready.

"Stop!" The two did, looking towards the source of the noise. "Jack?" North questioned, not understanding why his fellow Guardian hadn't come to his aid. Jack Frost kept his eyes on Lady Midday as he landed, advancing slowly, arms raised. "Please stop." For once, Midday and Santa Clause were equally shocked. "This isn't you," Jack tried, "you were a protector, not a killer." Lava-esque eyes narrowed but Jack kept going. "Whatever he did to you, we can help. Please, Midday, you don't have to do this."

Lady Midday blinked once, then twice more in quick succession, clearly confused. Jack wondered how long it had been since anyone tried to have an actual conversation with her. Still, the golden scythe lowered somewhat as the redhead cocked her head to the side, orange-red eyes fixed on icy blue.

North was confused. What was Jack thinking? He'd known how the summer spirit had started but that was the past. The girl before him was a monster, Mother Nature's general and assassin. She hurt the innocent for fun and decapitated people who bored her. There was nothing left to save. Eyes widened as the girl's weapon began to lower. It suddenly clicked in North's mind: Jack was trying to distract her for him! Not one to waste an opportunity, the older male leapt forward, sword glinting in the light.

"No!" Jack yelled, but it was too late. Midday spun around, easily deflecting the blow before opening her mouth, sending a stream of gold fire at North's sword arm. The scythe vanished from Midday's grip as her glow increased, becoming a blinding light. Running forward, Jack grabbed North, having the wind scoop them high into the air as the light set fire to the prairie, instantly destroying everything in its path. He sighed in relief as he saw Sandy flying in the distance, Tooth and Bunny held by his securely in golden clouds.

The sun rose again. Jack could only look on in shock as a miniature version of the sun, perhaps with a three foot diameter, flew into the sky before streaking out of sight. Looks like she did have the power to fly after all.

Note: Tooth's witch comment was inspired by a poem about Lady Midday (The Noonday Witch/ The Noon Witch). Also, what do you think about the sun transformation? I decided against giving her natural levitation like Sandy since it doesn't relate to her powers, but I thought that would be a badass mode of transport.