Night Shade
Disclaimer: I only own the plot and the OC. Thanks to Italy's Tomato for favoriting and Theophilus Seven for following! This chapter is for you! BTW, Mother Nature's near death is not canon. I made it up.
Chapter Four
Nyx landed hard on the polished floor of North's abode. Wincing, she pushed herself off the floor, ignoring Jack's outstretched hand. Brushing herself off, she stalked over to where the moon shone, and tilted her head curiously at Manny. Like Jack, she walked barefooted, and glided soundlessly across the room. The other four Guardians watched her with apprehension clear on their faces, except for Tooth, who held an expression of pure annoyance, much like Bunny had a decade ago.
"Jack said something about you, Manny. So? What am I here for?" Nyx asked the moon, cocking an eyebrow, hands on her hips.
The moon shone on the large 'G' that sat in the center of the room, on the floor. Nyx frowned at it, hiding a tiny smirk. "And if I refuse?"
North watched, astonished. The girl was conversing with Manny more than they had ever seen a non-Guardian do. There must be something special in her, he reasoned.
Tooth was trying to calm down her irritated and worried fairies, but it was futile seeing how the fairy queen herself was angry. Here was an amazing opportunity for the girl, and she was turning it down! She ignored the little voice that said that jack had done the same.
Bunny just hoped that the girl wouldn't be another Jack, but things were not looking up for the poor Aussie.
Sandy was very confused. He sensed that something was wrong, but the golden man just couldn't put his finger on it. He resolved to watch Nyx Shade closely.
Jack was bored out of his mind. He trailed his slender fingers across a section of the floor, and was delighted when the frost came out perfect, not a little bit out of place. He thought up many more snowflake designs, even though no one would look at them too closely. It was entertainment for him, and it puzzled scientists, which was a bonus.
Nyx slammed down her dagger on the windowsill. "I don't want to be a damn Guardian!" She yelled.
Tooth immediately covered her fairies' ears. "Language, Shade!" She barked.
Nyx turned around, an expression of mischievous delight on her pretty face. "Toothiana! Don't frown at me; it does nothing for your wrinkles."
Tooth self-consciously touched her face before seeing the smirk on the younger female's face. "Hush up, you poodle."
"Is that all you can-"
Jack hushed them both. "Tooth, Nyx, please don't argue."
"Are you trying to tell me what to do, young man?" Nyx thundered, her eyes stormy. Jack backed up quickly, an insolent smile on his face.
"Just trying to move things along here, we're getting nowhere."
"Jack is right." North burst out. "Nyx Shade, do you except the Guardianship?" A long pause followed his question.
"No." Nyx said eventually. "I don't want to be restricted. Besides, I might die. Seeing as not many people can see me, or believe in me, you know."
Her words struck something in Jack. "Wait, what do you mean you might die?"
Nyx glanced at him, aghast. "Without believers, Guardians are weakened. If a spirit without believers accepts Guardianship, there is a chance of death. Why, it's already happened once, 400 years ago I believe?"
Jack looked to North for confirmation, and was shocked to see the jolly Russian hang his head low. "Yes, it is true. But only because we acted without Manny's consent."
"Who was it?" The frost spirit wondered. When North would not answer, Nyx did.
"Mother Nature."
"She's not dead," Bunny hurriedly said after seeing Jack's horrified expression. "Rose is just very, very weak. That's why the Earth is in such a poor condition now."
"You could've been like that, too." Nyx said to Jack. He looked down, and was thinking secretly that he was very glad he turned it down at first.
"Manny wouldn't have let Jack become weak," Tooth objected.
Nyx snorted derisively. "The Man in the Moon has too much faith in him. He is not infallible, as you know. After all, he was my uncle's longtime ally before you were even born."