When Past and Present Collide 6

Nicholas was like a child in a toy shop. His eyes were huge as he looked at everything his older self had created. And while in this form his magic was still new – Bunny had yet to figure out why, Nicholas and North should be one in magic if not appearance – it still active the toys and made them fly and wander about making elves squeal for joy as they dashed about to play with them. Nicholas laughed whole heartedly at their antics and danced around them with amusement rather than reprimanding them for being underfoot. The sheer joy and wonder in his eyes had Tooth fonding over him – or maybe it was the fact that his teeth had yet to be tainted by over sweet cookies. They took the young spirit on a tour of the New Santoff Claussen, explaining how the first village had gone to decay when the children grew and began moving on with their lives and with Ombric getting up there in age had decided it was time to and had since moved to the Moon after an invitation from MiM. This fascinated Nicholas greatly. While he had spoken to MiM he had never considered visiting the Moon to meet the man in person. That made Bunny laugh because North had met MiM on a number of occasions.

"So Katherine is there, too?" Nicholas asked just to be certain.

Tooth giggled. "Yes, she grew into a fine woman and oddly enough Pitch is rather protective of her. Still calls her little girl but tends to treat her like his own daughter. She and Seraphina have become good friends."

Nicholas shook his head. "Pitch doing good seems very unlikely," he said with a frown as he paused in front of the Globe of Belief. His gaze moved over it, taking in the millions of sparking lights. "What are the lights?"

Bunny laughed. "Believers," he explained. "They're our Believers. They…help support our magic. That's why all the toys activated. You're magic is controlling them even if you're not consciously aware of it."

Nicholas gave a low whistle. "Much has changed…namely you two."

Bunny and Tooth looked at each other with raised brows. "How so?" Tooth asked a little confused.

The Russian smirked as he leaned against the control panel. "For one, you don't dress like royalty anymore, Toothiana. When did you shorten your name and stop wearing your silks? No offense, but you look like a mother not a warrior queen. And you keep calling me 'sweetie' rather than North or even Nicholas."

Bunny bristled at that, ready to snap but Tooth only smiled sweetly at the young Cossack. "A lot's changed in 500 years. We're not the same people we were in your time."

"Obviously," Nicholas muttered as he folded his arms across his chest and glanced to Bunny, ready to question him next.

The Pooka stared at him in shock and surprise. This seemed far too familiar and not like when they first met centuries ago. Yes the man was arrogant then but this was more like…Jack. Oh good MiM, he acted just like Jack! The same stance and attitude. He wasn't sure to yell or burst into laughter. He listed it under the top ten things to tease North and Jack about once things got back to normal.

"I see you finally moved to Australia," Nicholas suddenly remarked, shooting Bunny a smirk. "I never thought you'd give up Easter Island, though."

Bunny blinked then smirked. "Nah, mate, it's more my vacation home. I spend much of my time there when not working at the Warren. It's the accent, right?"

The young man chuckled. "Dah, it threw me at first. Thought maybe you found more of your kind and finally settled down with a doe…" His eyes widened when he realized what he just said. "Sorry, Bunnymund. Didn't think."

But rather than being upset or sensitive as usual about the topic Bunny was smiling. "Actually I did find a mate and settled down. We have a few youngings but they're not here. They're off planet trying to repopulate our species. I'm hoping to visit them soon."

Whistling lowly, Nicholas smiled brightly. "Can I give your past self a heads up? Maybe he won't be so grumpy or obsessed with chocolate." He gave Tooth a wink.

"No," both Bunny and Tooth said firmly – not that Nicholas could go back in time and say anything but the sheer idea of him messing with the time line put them both on edge.

"So when do I get to meet her?" Nicholas asked next, his voice chipper and teasing.

"Him," Bunny corrected with a grin. "And soon. He's sleeping right now and not in the best of moods. His…father is dying." That was obvious by the howling with outside and the steady fall of snow. Jack refused to accept what was going on, not that Bunny blamed him but it was by high time North ascended from a mortal body to an immortal one. The fact that Jack didn't understand this was beyond the point. This transition needed to take place otherwise Nicholas would fade and North would die then all Bunny's and MiM's hard work would be for nothing. Why North had yet to fully pass on could only be because of Jack refusing to let him go. The same had happened with Jamie Bennett. Jack tied his human friend in his magic, fought to keep him alive but Jack was the embodiment of winter and rather than letting his friend die peacefully he made him suffer in the frigid cold of his power for weeks. Winter was the time of death not life and if Jack wrapped his magic around North…Bunny shuddered to think of the pain North and Nicholas would go through. Perhaps Sandy could keep Jack asleep until this was all over. Sure the ice elf would be angry but it would be for the best.

"Him?" Nicholas asked, his smile growing. "Ah, let me guess, a little twiglet? One of your nature spirits?"

Bunny gave a nod. "You could say that."

Nicholas nodded to himself then looked around. "So all this was created by me? I mean the future me?"

Tooth giggled this time. "Yes. You make wondrous toys for the children of the world. They believe in you, North. They call you Santa Claus after Santoff Claussen."

"So Katherine's vision came to light? Clever girl." He looked about the vast workshop and busy yetis, some eyeing him in confusion as elves ran about. Dingle tugged on Nicholas's leg and held up a platter of cookies to him. "Oh! Thank you, little man." The small elf beamed brightly before dashing off with the platter to chatter with a bunch of other elves. "They've multiplied," Nicholas observed.

Bunny tilted his head. "That they did, mate."

Nicholas grinned at him and shook his head. "You're so funny now, Bunnymund. 'Mate'."

Rolling his eyes, Bunny again was torn between laughing or smacking the young Russian across the back of the head. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Let's find you some appropriate clothing and get some food in you. I'm sure you're starving by now."

The rumble in Nicholas's stomach confirmed that and the Cossack laughed whole heartedly. "Still know my body better than me, I see. Very well, lead the way Rabbit Man."

This time Bunny did smack the youth across the back of the head. "Bunnymund not Rabbit Man, you know better despite your youthful arrogance. And don't you dare think of striking back or I'll put you on your arse just like I did when we used to tussle."

Rubbing the back of his head Nicholas chuckled. "I see very little has changed regardless of you taking a mate."

"Damn right, Cossack. Now yet that pasty white butt of yours moving. Time for breakfast," Bunny said sternly, steering Nicholas toward the lift.

Tooth giggled and flew after them, followed by several of her mini fairies and North's elves, all curious as to what was going on.

. . .

"SANDY!" Jack yelled as he struggled out from under his covers. He couldn't believe Sandy would put him under after Jack begged him not to. As if things could get any worse. Climbing out of bed he didn't bother changing his clothes – someone had managed to get him into his pajamas – and hurried toward the infirmary. He had to get to North. If anything had happened…if he had passed on without anyone there to be with him… Jack shook his head. He wasn't going to let that happen. He wasn't going to let North go. It was bad enough North was alone when he took the heart attack. Had he been there maybe he could have gotten his father to the infirmary faster. Of course nothing was faster than Pitch's shadows but still if Jack had been there right when it begun maybe he could have done something to help.

He shook his head. No time to wallow in the past. He had to get to North and make sure he was okay and then he and Sandy could have a little talk about when it was appropriate to put people to sleep.

"Umph!" he gasped, colliding into a warm wall of flesh. For a moment all Jack saw was a familiar red shirt and his heart raced with sudden joy and relief until he noticed that person he ran into was not who he hoped. This man was tall and muscular but not with a large belly or long beard. This man was much thinner and youthful. Jack looked up feeling tears prickle at the corner of his eyes. He wanted to pull away, to scream and yell at the man before him but couldn't form the words. The eyes that stared down at him in surprise with so familiar yet alien in that youthful face.

Nicholas stared down at the youth in his arms in utter disbelief before smiling gently and brushing back the boy's shaggy white fringe. "Nightlight! You haven't changed a bit!" he said in glee, happy to see another familiar face. He drew the boy into a tight embrace.

Jack would have fought his way free but the scent, the warmth even the love he felt off the man was exactly like North. For a few seconds Jack clung to him, wanting desperately to believe this was his North but when he was called the wrong name he could hold on no longer. He pushed away and blindly wiped at his eyes. "Jack…my name's Jack. I'm sorry, if you'll excuse me." He gently pushed past Nicholas only to be caught by Bunny.

"Jack, you need to eat, love," his mate said gently.

"We're heading to the kitchen now. I can make you something," Tooth offered with a gentle smile. "I know it won't be as good as…your father's but…"

Jack shook his head. "Thanks but I need to go check on….dad. I'll see you guys later."

A large hand fell on his shoulder making him stop once more and again it felt like North touching him. "Jack…" Nicholas said. "I'm sorry about your father."

Jack's shoulders stiffened and he gave a curt nod. "Thanks but I need to get back to him."

"Sandy's still with him, Jack," Tooth told him reassuringly. "He stayed all night to watch him for you. He won't mind another hour so that you're fed."

"Tooth, I really need…"

"Nonsense, you need to eat, lad" Nicholas said, his cheeriness sounding far too much like his other self.

Jack pulled away and took off down the hall before anyone else could stop him. He called forth the winds and shot straight for the infirmary.

"Did I do something wrong?" Nicholas asked, looking from Tooth to Bunny in confusion.

"Not you, Nicholas," Bunny said gently, watching his mate disappear up the central column. "I'll catch up with you two shortly." He took off hopping after Jack as Tooth led a rather confused Nicholas to the kitchen.

"Jackie!" Bunny yelled as he caught up with Jack just outside the infirmary. The boy stood frozen in front of the large double doors, his pale hands and forehead on the door. There were tears streaming down his cheeks and freezing along his jaw. "Oh, Jack…love, I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd be awake yet or…"

"What? You'd tip toe around me so I won't have to see him?" Jack asked with a muffled sob. "Do any of you even care that your friend is laying on a gurney fighting for his life?"

"Jack, North's not fighting for his life, he's fighting for you," Bunny said, grabbing the youth by the shoulders and turning him around. "Look at me, Jackson. I know this is hard. I know you love him, so do I. North's my best friend but this is what he always wanted."

Jack was aghast. "To die? No one wants that!"

"No, you Gumby, to be immortal. North became a Guardian as a young man. He cast a spell to elongate his life but sooner later his body was going to give. I thought I could prolong that magic but MiM decided it was time to make him immortal. What's left in that room isn't North. It's a shell. You have to let him go so he can fully make the transition or he's going to get trapped in limbo and the North you knew will be gone for good."

Jack glared at him which such raw anger and hatred that Bunny had to take a step back. "I don't know who that is downstairs but that isn't North. North would recognize me. North would know I'm his child no matter how jumbled his memories are. He's in there waiting for us to help him and you…"

Bunny pulled him into his arms and held him tight. "You have to trust me, Snowflake. This isn't the first spirit I had to help cross over. Just trust me. North will be fine. You just need to let his physical body go and let him move on."

The winter sprite held him back but shook his head. "I'm not letting him go, Bunny. I'm not losing another person I love. Not now, not ever."

Sighing, Bunny rested his cheek on his love's head. There was no convincing Jack otherwise. The boy was just as stubborn as North. The two were indeed father and son. There were no two so alike as Jack and North. He stroked Jack's back and whispered promises that everything would be alright. Whether Jack believed him or not didn't matter as long as it brought him some sort of comfort. Perhaps he should contact Pitch and see if the shade would take Jack somewhere that would distract him until the transition was complete. That might take a lot of time.

"Hey, buck up. How about we visit the kits?" he asked suddenly as he took Jack's chin in his thumb and forefinger. "We could go off to the Moon and visit them and Nightlight. I'm sure they'll be happy to see, it's been months."

Shaking his head, Jack pulled away and pushed open the infirmary doors. "Maybe…when North's better. I know he misses them too and it could be therapeutic."

Sighing, Bunny gave a nod but let Jack go. There was no talking sense into his love. It was time to call in reinforcements. When the hell did the Nightmare King become reinforcements? Shaking his head, he followed Jack into the infirmary. If anything he should check North's heart monitor. He doubted there would be any change but there was always the possibility Jack was right and North's mortal body would recover. He highly doubted that but he was not about to hurry North's death along either. He was the spirit of new life not death and even in North's state he could never bring himself to take a life. This was going to be the hardest transition between mortality and immortality the history of spirits.