Admittedly, I was tempted to post this earlier, since I managed to get it done before work, but sort of forced myself to wait :P
Still, I'm glad this is getting out earlier than I hoped :).
Anyway, I don't think there's anything that needs to be explained about this chapter...except that there may be a reference to the books somewhere along the lines, just a small one, but yeah...
Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or any of its characters...only this fanfic and anything/one previously mentioned.
Chapter 7: Air, The Weakest Barrier.
How long had it been now?
Whiskers twitching, the thought struck Bunnymund the way the first memory of the day would upon awakening.
He peered over his work; loads upon loads of eggs plodding around him.
Aster had been the Easter bunny more than long enough to have a good idea how long it took him to paint a certain amount of eggs just by looking at them.
He was rather glad no one else was around to see the look on his face; he didn't even want to try counting ALL those eggs!
Had he really been sulking around the warren that long?
Quickly adding the last detail to the egg in hand, he set it down and stood.
"OW!" His leg was dead from being in the same position so long!
This wasn't entirely unusual. Aster loved his work, and more than once had lost track of time when indulging.
Grumbling, he bit his lip and shook the numb limb. After a few moments, the expected pain rushed through his leg as a major dose of pins and needles.
"Bloody thing…" He cursed silently as he forced himself to walk around, just long enough for his leg to return to normal.
Ok, so perhaps it was time to get out of the warren for a while. He should at least get in contact with Sandy about that dream sand thief.
Then again…getting in contact with Sandy would require going to the pole, and that would mean…
Uuuh…maybe just a run out on the surface somewhere would suffice?
Bunny wasn't one for avoiding his duties, but this went beyond…
"Hm?" He glanced to an egg that nudged against his food, and smiled as an idea came.
Easter was almost a whole year away, but it would be a shame to let all these perfectly good eggs go to waste.
Besides, he was never against a chance to see a certain little ankle biter.
Gathering as many eggs as he could into a couple of baskets, Bunny was soon on his way to Burgess. It took almost no time with his speed and excitement, but when he jumped out, he felt himself tense, his ears lowering.
'No, don't even let it cross ya mind…you're here to see the ankle biter, not…'
He shook it off, and headed into town.
Thankfully, he only had to dodge a few kids, whilst adults gave him no trouble.
Soon, he stood in front of a familiar house.
'He made you believe…in me?'
He gasped at the memory, and would've growled at himself, if something hadn't drawn his attention then; A child wearing clothes more colourful than his eggs.
"Jamie!" Sophie called as she ran around the garden.
She went right to the edge of the path, but didn't dare leave. Her head darted back and forward.
"Looking for someone rascal?"
The child gasped, and turned around. Bunnymund grinned as her face lit up, before she squealed and ran to her favourite guardian.
Aster chuckled and wrapped an arm around her as she hugged his waist, her arms barely reaching.
"Brought ya something…" He crouched to her level.
Sophie's eyes couldn't have gotten wider, whilst she bounced on the spot as he held up a basket of eggs.
It was just too adorable, Aster couldn't have resisted smiling if he'd tried; she might be taller and older, but she was still the bouncing bundle of laughs who'd turned up in his warren.
"Now we're gonna share these with your friends, but just your friends ok?"
"Why just friends?" Sophie tilted her head after picking out an egg.
"I know it seems kinda unfair, but we don't want anyone thinking Easter's come early, do we?" He ruffled her hair and stood, "Now where's your brother?"
Sophie shook her head.
"Jamie ran off. I don't know where…"
"Hm, well that's odd. Don' worry, I'll go find him. You go hide these up in your room until I get back, 'k?"
He turned, but felt a little hand grab his leg.
"Bunny? Bunny will come back…right…?"
He looked to her in confusion, but the child's eyes were worried…hopeful…
"Hey…" He lowered once more to look her in the eye, "…you know I'll always be here…"
"But, Jack won't come back…"
It took more strength than the Pookan thought he had not to cringe in front of her. He gripped her shoulder firmly.
"I, will never leave…you remember that, and Jack will come back, even if we don' know when."
"Promise? Jamie's been really sad…"
It hurt to see such pleading eyes stare up at him, and Aster knew he'd cornered himself with his own words.
"Yeah, I promise."
The sweet little face finally showed a soft smile, which the Easter bunny returned as he finally moved away.
"He'll be back…whether he wants to or not," he mumbled beneath his breath.
It took quite a while circling Burgess to find Jamie. Bunnymund finally found him running out of the public library, and followed him as he headed towards the edge of town.
The boy's mind was certainly distracted; He ran straight past the giant rabbit and didn't even notice!
"Hey, maybe if ya let it be, it'll come home on its own!"
The laugh made Jamie stop, though he waited to turn around, as if trying to tell if he'd really heard the voice he thought he had.
"Easter Bunny!" He ran to him with as much excitement as Sophie…
…actually, he seemed even more pleased to see the guardian.
"Where is he? Have you seen him!?"
"Whoa, slow down there mate…" Bunny laughed as the boy panted, "…Who're we looking for exactly?"
"Jack! I saw him!"
Bunny's heart froze, as if touched by the spirit in question.
"You…" he swallowed a few times, certain his over sensitive ears had heard wrong, "…saw him?"
"Well, not Jack himself, but someone was in my room! The window was open; my art work had been touched…"
"Kid, you can't assume that he was there because of those things…" Bunny felt his heart calm a bit, "…someone could've opened your window, or it blew open…"
"I made sure the window was closed! It wasn't Sophie, and mum tells me off if I leave it open. Besides, what about my drawings?"
"Same deal kid, probably blew around in the breeze…" Bunny tried to speak a little firmer without being harsh, "…I know I told ya to keep your hopes up, but you can't get too…"
"And the snow!?"
Jamie was visibly annoyed that Aster was shrugging it off, but that final part managed to shut him up.
"…Snow?" Bunny finally muttered, his eyes wide and hesitant to look back to the child.
"Yes. One minute my room is normal, the next thing I turn around, and there's snow. It was snowing IN my room, just like it did the first night I saw jack."
Jamie pulled something from his pocket as he moved closer.
"…This is the drawing I was talking about."
Aster accepted the paper, struggling not to let his paws shake as he unfolded it, Jamie watching him a little too intently.
His heart almost made him lurch forward as it pounded against his chest; the drawing showed Jack Frost sitting on a rock with his staff resting against his shoulder.
He was smiling and winking as snow drifted around him.
"It's free hand, so it's probably not very good, but it's still important to me. I've never let it get crinkled like that…"
"Not good? Jamie, this is bloody brilliant! You can draw this well at your age…?" Bunny was temporarily distracted by the show of skill.
Ok so it was no work of art, but for a child? It was amazing!
Well, at least that brought a bashful smile to Jamie's face.
"You like it?"
Aster chuckled and handed it back.
"He'd…be proud of ya…" He added cautiously.
Jamie's shoulders slumped, but he looked back to the guardian.
"I'm sorry, I know you've all been looking for him. I just miss him…"
Oh gees…if he hadn't been feeling guilty enough! Recalling the fuss over the clue from Man in Moon left Aster feeling like an egg totem had just landed on his head.
"We all do mate…" He spoke, before kicking himself to do better, "…Listen, you can't judge by your window or sketch, but since I can't explain the snow in your room, I'll go scout around, see what I can find, ok?" He offered a smile, "You head home and let your sister know for me, so she doesn't wonder where I am."
Jamie's smile returned, so Aster stepped back. Then, before he could think properly…
"I'll bring him back to ya, promise."
He quickly handed over the rest of the painted eggs, and took off before he said anything more to make himself feel bad.
The beautiful orange glow of evening was just setting in as Jack slowly glided back towards Burgess.
He'd retreated once more to the colder regions of the world after the close call with Jamie, but with his time almost up, he'd been desperate to get one more look at his home.
He hovered over the forest, just close enough to get a good view of the town, though he didn't dare get closer.
He drank in as much of the sight as he could, before he zipped back to the lake. Even though it brought some darker memories with it, the lake easily relaxed the spirits nerves as he landed.
The water was glowing so bright under the sun that it almost blinded him.
This lake…the death of Jackson Overland Frost, and the birthplace of Jack Frost. He crouched to glide his hand over the surface of the water. Thin ice crystals formed after his fingers, and soon dissolved below the water.
Jack raised an eyebrow and looked across the lake. His playful spirit had been having way too much fun today, and heck, why let it end just yet?
He walked slowly across the lake, his powers creating ice just thick enough to support him. He stood within the centre and looked to his staff. With an excited smile, he twirled it once, before brushing it along the water.
It barely rippled as ice spread fast over it, all the way to the edges and over the ground for a few metres.
He tapped the ice lightly with his staff and smiled. Yep, thick enough for now, thin enough that the summer warmth wouldn't take too long to melt it.
Jack found himself bouncing on his feet, the excitement becoming too much.
'Wild goose chase…just as I thought…'
Aster finally let himself rest, groaning and rubbing his shoulder as it ached.
He'd scoured every last inch of town, and for miles around. Typically, his first stop had been the lake area in Burgess, but he's seen nothing to even hint of the winter spirit's presence.
Inwardly, he was sort of relieved, but now he didn't know what he was supposed to tell Jamie.
Snow in his bedroom? In summer, Jack Frost was the only one capable of such a feat, but wherever he'd retreated to was a lot further away than just a short trip out of town!
He grumbled at his shoulder again, and decided to try ignoring it instead.
'I can't keep doing this…' He crossed his arms, feeling more insecure than he wanted to admit, '…I did look properly…right…?'
Whether he had or hadn't, there was no way he'd have missed Jack even if it'd only been a glimpse.
"Brr…!" He shivered at the cool evening breeze.
He'd promised both Jamie and Sophie that he would find the young guardian, and for a long time, he had searched the globe.
That was part of the reason for his anger at his friends. Yeah ok it was partly his own fault for acting so cold on the topic, but when Jack had first vanished, he'd spent almost every chance he had searching.
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
Maybe he didn't trust what Man in Moon had shown them? Not that he thought him to be a liar, he was just…
…afraid…to get his hopes up.
He shivered again and rubbed his arms as he continued on towards town.
North was right; he was being selfish beyond reason, and whilst his initial reaction to the clue from MiM could be forgiven, it shouldn't have taken the effort of the guardian of wonder to drag him kicking and screaming…literally…back to the pole.
Without any idea to Jacks whereabouts, he'd had only the last memory of the spirit of fun to dwell upon;
Him and the Nightmare king standing over the fallen guardian of hope, shaking hands and speaking, before leaving…together.
With only that…Bunny's heart had hardened almost as instinctively as his ears twitched at a strange sound.
He didn't want the pain to show…not to anyone.
"Crikey Mother Nature! If this is for that complaint earlier about it being too hot for fur, I'm sorry already!" He shook at the cool breeze hitting his side.
He glared to the setting sun, and decided to head for home; he wasn't in the mood to deal with temperamental weather…be it hot OR cold!
He was about to open a passage, when his brain clicked into gear, and stopped his foot mid-air.
The sun hadn't reached the horizon yet, and in summer, the air never got cold! Maybe cool in the evening or at night…but this cold?
Aster looked to his arm where his fur was starting to stick up a little, before looking to his other arm.
It felt perfectly warm, the coolness wasn't reaching it.
Ok…whilst Mother Nature wasn't always the easiest spirit to understand, she definitely wasn't the kind to mess around with her work.
He looked to where he could feel the breeze, his nose twitching anxiously. He turned and moved forward, feeling the cold air wrap around him with each step.
He still shivered, but yet for some reason, it didn't feel so bad…sort of welcoming in fact.
His ears twitched back and forward, catching sounds he couldn't yet give name to. His steps became faster, and the air colder, until soon, he gave a sharp gasp as the ground itself felt like ice…
…no, not ice…snow.
Bunny was certain he must've been imagining things. His foot couldn't have just sunk into a light layer of snow! It just…it just…
His head shot up as his ears stiffened.
Did he just hear a laugh?
Caution forgotten, he bounded the rest of the way, barely skidding in time to stop himself falling into the lake that appeared.
Staring at his reflection, he sighed in minor relief. He really hadn't felt like getting his fur we…wait…
He slowly raised his paw and touched the surface, if only to confirm his realisation; the water was frozen!
He looked over the whole area. It was as if someone had thought it was Christmas time, and had just dropped a little winter wonder land in the middle of nowhere! The trees and ground could barely show off their lush green colours as they were buried beneath gleaming white snow, whilst the lake of ice sparkled proudly as the centre piece.
"No…no way…" Aster shook his head in disbelief.
His heart was going crazy, and he doubted he had a hope of calming it.
He was about to move onto the lake, when he heard a voice. Not waiting to catch the words or anything, he bounded back behind the trees, peering out as the voice grew louder.
He realised it was loud cheering, just before there was a blue flash that came down from the sky, zoomed around the ice, and back into the air.
Aster leant out just far enough to see as it came back down again. This time the being of blue and white twirled in the air just over the ice, before calming to just a still hover.
There, beaming with all the fun he brought to the world, was Jack Frost.
Bunnymund wished someone was there to slap him awake; it felt like he'd walked into a dream, even though he knew better.
The winter spirit lowered to the ice, chuckling as it just thickened under his touch. He glided around the surface, using his staff to create lovely patterns over the whole thing, before he came to rest upon a small rock sticking out from the ice.
The boy sat back, laughing with such joy and pure bliss that Bunny thought he felt his own cheeks warming. It seemed for now Jack hadn't seen him, and suddenly, he didn't want him to, not from fear, but so this moment wouldn't be spoilt.
"Man! Now that was the best!" Jack cheered, giving one more laugh as he sat up a bit, almost resembling the sketch Jamie had done.
Aster stored away a note to remind the child of his drawing skills.
Jack panted lightly, his eyes slipping closed. He seemed so peaceful, not a care in the world.
He looked so care free in fact, that it almost annoyed Aster; here he and everyone else had been worrying without rest, exhausting themselves as they scoured the whole globe, whilst he was gallivanting around like he hadn't gone anywhere!
Still, just seeing he was alive and…as far as he could tell…unharmed, Aster couldn't bring that anger all the way to the surface.
He caught a slight sound from the boy…a sigh?
Jack raised his gaze again, and Aster felt his heart clench; where did the joy go? His smile and overflowing joy had been replaced by a mournful expression.
"Why just one…?" The boy barely whispered as he stared to the sky, "…I know it's better than nothing, but I can't…I don't think I can do this again…"
He wrapped his arm around himself, clenching his shoulder and gritting his teeth.
Aster tilted his head, confused but concerned. He saw Jack reach into his pocket and pull something out. Squinting, he could make out the tiny wooden doll North had given Jack when they'd defeated Pitch. He knew the item was a more private topic between the two, for which reason he'd never mentioned it after he'd glimpsed North give it to him.
"Some guardian…" Jack spoke with a small growl in his voice, and held the doll to his forehead, "…I'm so sorry Jamie, I'm so sorry…"
Upon hearing those words, there became no question that Jamie had been right; It was Jack who'd been in his room.
Aster couldn't put it all together. Past feelings were telling him to be angry, but present feelings clashed heavily. He was missing something…the middle ground where everything would be explained, and emotions determined.
'Well E. Aster Bunnymund, you wanted answers, so what're you waiting for?'
The Pooka was nervous to say the least, but this was his chance...
He straightened and inhaled deeply; it was time to understand.
He shifted around the side of the bush, about to step into view, when his ears perked up. His gaze shot upwards, and he ducked straight back into hiding, his eyes locked to the sky.
It was a few seconds longer before Jack felt the approach, and looked up. Dark shapes blotched the beautiful sky like spilt ink.
The winter spirit was straight up on his feet, stepping back as the shapes drew closer, and separated enough to show four…no, five of them.
The nightmares landed loudly upon the ice, and wasted no time in circling the boy. Jack just watched them with a hateful gaze, his staff half raised.
"Don't miss a beat, do ya?" Jack grumbled loudly, shifting around.
The dark sand horses soon slowed, whilst the largest of them moved closer, and turned sideways as it glared at him.
"Yeah yeah, I'm coming…" Jack pushed his way out of the circle, right past the angry creature.
It snorted furiously at him, but the boy was fast to snap back around.
"I said I'm coming!" He almost snarled, "I said I would come when I had to, and I will! But you can spare just two more damn minutes!"
The boy suddenly hissed sharply, hunching over slightly, but Aster could hardly notice, as his shoulder chose a bad time to throb extra painfully. He couldn't help a small grunt at the ache.
"Ok ok…I get it…" Jack mumbled, and moved back to the nightmare.
However, one of the others suddenly turned its attention to the side, and gave a threatening sound.
"What now?" Jack raised an eyebrow at it.
Now the other nightmares were following suit, glaring at the trees near one side of the lake. The larger one stood its ground, but lowered its head like the others, just as furious.
"What? WHAT!?" Jack demanded as he moved around to see what the commotion was.
Whether or not the young guardian could see him, Aster knew he was caught. He could've kicked himself for blowing his cover when he was supposed to be an expert at hiding, but reminded himself this wasn't the time for that.
He wanted to stay hidden, but soon found his feet guiding him out into the open.
He watched every second as he stepped into the light, and the winter spirits face changed gradually, as if he wasn't sure he was really seeing who he thought he did.
Soon enough though, his face showed that he knew this situation was very much real, Shocked panic against Asters confused disbelief.
Both guardians were so focused on each other, that when one of the nightmares gave a loud neigh, it startled them both.
'Oh no…no…no…!' Was all Jack could think.
He bolted back across the ice, almost tripping himself over.
"Hey!" Aster yelled, and sprung after him.
The nightmares reacted instantly, charging the Pooka, whom jumped over two, and kicked a third in the head, before landing back on the ice. He skidded around the fourth, and was close to catching Jack, when the fifth appeared to rear up right in front of him.
On the ice, the Easter bunny was forced to stop, well, to try to; he wound up sliding all the way to the edge. He picked himself up quickly and dashed along the solid ground towards Jack, but the large nightmare was still guarding the boy, and the others caught up to create a wall between them.
"Jack!" Aster yelled, only to back up as one of the nightmares snapped at him, "I wouldn't try that again mongrel," He growled back.
He looked up to Jack, who was peering around the nightmares neck to see him. The creature was slowly forcing him away by backing up, but never turned its gaze from Aster.
"Jack Frost…is this the path you're taking?" The guardian suddenly growled out of nowhere.
The boy flinched at the words, and hid his face. It was NOT the reaction Aster wanted.
"Answer me you little frostbite!"
Now he charged the small army, only to be knocked back over the ice as they retaliated in unison.
"Bunny!" Jack gasped, his feet shifting forward.
The nightmare guarding him snarled furiously, warning him not to interfere. Jack knew he couldn't help Aster, but he glared right back.
"Listen!" He growled as he hooked his staff over the nightmares neck, and yanked its head closer, "Keep in mind that if he's harmed, you get to explain to Pitch why I don't come back!"
The angry whisper was enough; The nightmare sounded frustrated, but suddenly called out to the others. They looked around in confusion, but quickly retreated back, leaving a mildly bruised Pooka to question what was happening.
Jack was staring at him, and his expression was something the Pookan had never wanted to see again.
Cold, angry…just like when he'd left with Pitch.
The guardian of fun climbed onto the nightmares back quickly, and leant over.
"Take me back…" He whispered, pulling his hood over his face.
For once the nightmare didn't argue with him, and raced across the ice, before it took to the air.
"NO!" Bunny shouted, and tried to follow.
But the ice beneath his feet gave a horrifying groan. He glanced to it briefly, before he had to race quickly to the edge as the whole lake began to shatter, and sink into the water.
Without the presence of the frost spirit, the already thin ice couldn't support anything.
He scrambled back onto solid ground, yelping a little as his foot hit the water; it would warm up soon enough, but for now it was still icy.
He raced through the trees, constantly scanning what he could see of the sky, until he saw the dark shadows flying overhead. He followed after them, until they eventually came to a clearing. Now he could pick his speed up, and though he couldn't reach them, there was no way he'd lose them this close.
The nightmares weren't oblivious to him, and three soon turned to see him off. But Aster wouldn't have it this time; He stopped only long enough to throw one of his boomerangs. It struck down two of the nightmares, leaving a rain of black sand, and as the third one drew closer, he threw an egg bomb, leaving himself only enough time to dash to safety, but the nightmare with no chance of avoidance.
Jack looked around at the loud blast. He saw Aster emerge from the coloured cloud of his egg bomb, showing no signs of exhaustion yet. And he knew they'd have to circle the globe before that happened; wherever they were going, Bunny could make the distance.
"Please stop…just stop…" He whispered, glancing to the dwindled number of nightmares.
He looked to his staff and bit his lip. He couldn't hit Bunny…he couldn't do that…but…
He raised the crook of his staff close to his mouth, and when the wood was charged bright blue, he blew across it.
The evening air was still warm, and with the added strength of his magic, it combined with his cold breath to create a stream of mist.
Aster frowned as his target seemed to get hazy, but he soon realised what was happening. He tried to speed up as the cloud of mist grew rapidly, and soon filled the sky all around. It was so thick that he couldn't see the ground in front of him, let alone the nightmares.
"JACK!" He yelled, still racing along.
Jack's cheeks were actually rosy by the time he stopped. He coughed and spluttered, practically collapsing against the nightmare. He'd really over done it; that trick looked easy, but it wasn't. He'd never properly mastered it, and doubted it would've worked had he not charged his magic earlier.
Perhaps creating so much snow in a region currently going through summer really was a bad idea; even with the energy gained from the south pole, he was now drained!
The nightmare carrying him looked to the exhausted teen, before grunting at its remaining friend. It whinnied in return, and flew forward where it collapsed into a cloud of sand, which circled the boy tightly, once more blocking his vision of their path.
One the ground, Bunny's other senses went into over drive, trying to pick anything, any clue to the right direction. But he was starting to panic, and without proper focus, he soon found himself tripping over a rock.
"AAH!" His paw burst with pain, leaving him hunched upon the ground momentarily, before he pushed himself up, staring to the sky.
Nothing…completely nothing.
His heart screamed in his chest; it hated him even more. He'd failed to bring Jack back, even when the boy was right in front of him!
It was like a bad dream, giving him a wonderful glimpse of the happy go lucky spirit, before swiping it out of his reach.
That joyful laughter replaced by silence...the playful, smiley eyes traded for a forbidding glare...
'Cruel…'
What or who was cruel exactly he didn't know, but he found himself curling upon the ground, wishing he'd never come to Burgess, wishing he'd never gone looking for the winter spirit, that he'd never gotten so absorbed in his work that he'd painted so many eggs, and ended up coming to the children and making promises he couldn't keep…!
The emerald eyes opened slightly, gazing to the grass that didn't have such a vivid green colour…
"Promise? Jamie's been really sad…"
"Yeah, I promise."
"I'm sorry, I know you've all been looking, I just miss him…"
"I'll bring him back to ya, promise."
The green eyes hardened. Determination and pride pushed the Pookan up, and made him stand proud.
Just how long did he plan on letting his darn ego sulk around!?
He was a Pooka, a guardian, the Easter Bunny! He'd made a promise to the children of the world that he would protect them, and whilst it wasn't his centre, that meant that he had to see that fun still existed in this world, and that meant returning its guardian.
He wished he could guarantee his promise to Jamie and Sophie that he would bring their friend back to them, but for certain, he would guarantee that somehow or other, he would bring Jack back.
Being careful of his injured front paw, he tapped the ground firmly.
He knew where he needed to begin, so it was time to do what he did best; push his emotions aside and do what needed to be done.
He didn't know what jack was thinking, but the boy had seemed so lost at the lake...despite leaving with the nightmares, he'd clearly despised them...and he'd fled rather than fight a fellow guardian.
Jack Frost was not the type to back down from a battle!
"For now, innocent until proven guilty, Frost," He spoke as the tunnelled opened at his feet.
Judgement had had its little, initial parade. Now it needed to be left until he knew the truth, and had done what he was supposed to do;
Be a guardian…to a friend.
Some of this was really fun to write...other parts were really tricky...what's new? *shrugs* XD
As always, sorry for any bad spelling and grammar.
There'll probably be a fair wait until the next chapter again sorry, but as always, I'll update asap.
Thanks for reading!