Once the last two members of the team arrive the situation is explained to them as they head for the hanger where the quinjet Tony had procured is kept. They quickly loaded into it before Barton took the controls and asked where they were headed.
"Just go north. North's home will be the easiest to access and he is their de facto leader, he will call the others. That is assuming he does not just come by himself."
"You know that is not very likely."
"I am allowed to hope am I not?"
The Avengers watch curiously but managed to keep their questions to themselves as they head north. Eventually Seraphina began to give more specific directions until they reached a tall mountain peak with a building seemingly built into its side. As they got closer they saw just how massive the structure was and Tony let out a low whistle at the size.
"Impressive. Must cost a fortune to keep it warm."
"I believe he enchants his fireplaces to always burn. Nicholas St. North is what is often referred to as a wondersmith. He uses magic and technology in harmony to create wonders beyond imagination."
"Should I be impressed?"
"He makes things to put your suit to shame on a daily basis. They are just generally more for children than for adults."
"Fun."
They land just outside of what Seraphina directs them to as the front door. The Avengers are surprised when they are met by large furry beasts that resemble men, but clearly are not.
"Are those... yetis?"
"They are, they work for North." Seraphina steps forward and the yetis seems surprised at her arrival. "We are here to see North. Please inform him that we are here. And if he won't see us tell him I'm calling in that favor."
The yeti seem to grumble but the grey one motions them forward while the brown one heads inside, presumably to get North. With Seraphina leading the way, closely followed by Loki and the Avengers bringing up the rear. Tony looks around rather impressed by the glimpses they receive of the large central room that seems more like a workshop then a living space. Most of the others were more focused on following their yeti guide and Seraphina or keeping an eye on Loki. Eventually they are led to a cozy looking room with a large Christmas tree in the corner and a large lit fireplace on the adjacent wall decked out for Christmas as well. Plush sofas, chairs and a couple of stools are scattered around a coffee table and short little men with pointed hats ending in bells are running around with trays of cookies and some kind of drink that could be milk. Loki and Seraphina take a seat sharing a loveseat, both sitting properly and rather stiffly, refusing the little men's attempts to offer them beverages.
Not one to refuse hospitality Tony takes a seat as well and accepts some cookies and a drink, he also catches Loki smirking at him when he grabbed a cookie, but thinks nothing of it. Banner sits as well but refuses the beverages. Steve and Thor stand near the fireplace, backs to the wall and looking as though they are taking the situation very seriously while Natasha and Barton try to appear relaxed, though Tony knows neither is.
After a few minutes the door the the room is swung open and a large man dressed in red and black strides in nervously laughing.
"Seraphina. It has been long time. Yetis tell me you wished to see me."
"Yes. Its about my father. We are putting an end to this now and, as much as I hate to admit it, I need your help."
"Is serious then. What is Pitch up to now? Was only earlier this year that we beat him back from his schemes."
Seraphina clenched her fists and sparks began to come off her once again. "I am well aware of the events this past Easter. And it is exactly those events that have led to his current plans. He has taken my daughter and you know what he will do to her."
"Your daughter..." The man that Tony assumes must be North pales under his white beard, the color draining from his rosy cheeks. "I did not know. I will contact other Guardians immediately. Phil! Prepare sleigh, we will most likely be heading out as soon as others arrive." North had turned and left as he hollered for 'Phil', leaving the Avengers, Loki and Seraphina in the room where they had waited for him.
"He will return when the others arrive."
"So he doesn't know you have a kid anymore than your own father even though you said..."
"I would recommend not saying anymore Stark. There is a reason we have not been public about her origins, very few know and most of them are as tight lipped as she herself is."
Tony sends the dark couple a glare but says no more. He can somewhat see why they aren't so forthcoming about their family. Given what he's heard about this Pitch guy and Loki's own recent actions, it makes sense to not tell people they have family.
Meanwhile with North, the lights had been put into use, summoning the Guardians to the Pole. North waited for the others to arrive as patiently as he could knowing that a pissed off Mother Nature was in his sitting room with a strange group of people. Come to think of it he wondered who they were. As he was thinking on it Tooth and Sandy arrived through the skylight above the Globe of Belief and Bunny came in through the door to the workshop.
"What's up mate? Why'd ya summon us?"
"Seraphina is here along with some strange people. Says Pitch has taken her daughter to make into fearling."
Tooth gasps and covers her mouth a look of horror crossing her widening eyes. Sandy looks equally shocked and symbols flash over his head.
"Yes, yes. I was just as shocked. I did not know she had daughter either Sandy, but I am not surprised we did not know. Is likely for girl's own protection. But Pitch must have learned of her or he would not have taken her."
It was then that Tooth looked around, curious. "Where's Jack, shouldn't she be here by now?"
That caused the other three to stop and look around as well.
"Da, is curious. Maybe she did not know what lights meant."
"We can worry about the brumby later. Right now we need to take care of Pitch and rescue this girl before its too late. He's still weak from Easter more'n likely so we shouldn't need Jack with us for this. She can catch up later if he shows."
"Bunny..."
"No, Bunny is right Tooth, we do not have time to waste waiting for Jack. Let us go."
North led the Guardians through the building to one of the larger sitting rooms. When they arrived Sandy seemed shocked to see just who had come with Seraphina. He tried to get the others attention to tell them just who they were most likely going to be working with, but the others were too busy greeting them.
"Ah, friends. I am sorry for the wait. Our newest member has not arrived yet and may not have recognized the signal to gather. She is still new afterall."
Sandy noticed how Seraphina seemed to spark on occasion at North's flippant disregard of their youngest member as well as the tense set of her jaw.
"I am aware that Jack will not be arriving, if you had waited a few minutes longer before I would have explained to you that Pitch has her."
"What! What do you mean Pitch has her? He took Jack as well?"
"Rabbit, do be quiet and think about this for a moment."
"Oh, oh! Jack is... Then... Does she know!" Tooth was fluttering around anxiously as she spoke and the others came to the same realization. Jack was Seraphina's daughter and Pitch had her.
"Before you ask, it is most likely that Pitch is unaware of his relationship to Jack. More than likely this is retaliation for her involvement in joining you."
"Of course. We will rescue Jack and put Pitch in his place once and for all. Is too dangerous to leave wandering around."
"You will do no such thing. We only came to you because Loki is unable to perform the spells he has been researching to reverse what has been done to my father. We need you to perform them, you or Aster, it does not matter which."
"What! You still think he can be saved? Seraphina! Even if he could be saved its been so long since the fearlings took hold of him, there won't be anything left to save!"
Seraphina stands, sparks flying off of her as she stalks closer to Bunny.
"He can be and he will be. I would think you of all people would retain this hope, but it seems I was wrong to think the Guardian of Hope would hope for the best."
Bunny pins his ears back and is about to retort when Sandy gets between them shaking one of the elves to get their attention. Both turn to him and a series of symbols flash above his head.
"Thank you Sanderson. You're help is much appreciated." Seraphina turns and returns to her seat beside Loki and it is then that the Guardians finally take notice of the strange assortment of others in the room.
Bunny is the first to say something. "Wait a moment, who are all they then?"
Sandy lets out a sigh and takes a seat beside Tony, waving to him with a smile.
The Avengers for the most part had watched the events unfolding before them in slight shock. They had been told of the Guardians ignorance of Jack's relationship to Seraphina but hadn't fully understood what was going on. Even with the shouting match between the oversized talking rabbit and Seraphina things didn't get fully explained. There was also the shock factor in play of seeing for the first time the non-human members of the Guardians. The one looked like a cross between a bird and a woman, her wings blurring so fast she could only be a hummingbird hybrid. The giant rabbit was less confusing until it spoke at which point everyone was left wondering how that even happens. Then there was 'Sanderson' who appeared to be made of sand.
Before the shock could wear off fully though Seraphina was speaking again.
"These are the Avengers. Heroes who protect this world from the threats you can not, especially since the only one you seem to recognize is the one posed by my father. I have asked for their help as a more or less neutral party. They will keep Pitch and his minions busy along with you while Sanderson works with Loki on casting the proper spells."
"Wait just a moment there sheila. I know what Loki's done, why is he here? How can you trust him."
Loki silently raises a brow as Seraphina settles her hands in her lap primely.
"Loki is my husband. He has been helping me to research a way to bring my father back to me for several centuries now. His recent actions in New York were an unfortunate effect of his research. He had told me he was going to the prison the Fearlings had been contained within before they devoured my father. He succumbed in the same manner, though to a lesser degree since he had the forethought to place protections on himself. He was able to fight off their control and return to his true self."
There was a moment of silence before Bunny and Tony both shouted in surprise.
"You mean he was being controlled by something when he tried to invade the planet!"
"Wait! That means Jack is... Oh just brilliant, it all makes sense now, the little show pony!"
"Yes to both of you. Now we should probably be going before we waste anymore time. Jack has protections on her as well, but they will not hold up for much longer." Seraphina and Loki stand, leading to Banner and Tony as well as Sandy getting to their feet. "And we will not be taking your sleigh North, we would not all fit. We will use the jet that the Avengers brought us here in. It should be adequate."
"You have point."
Seraphina quickly takes the lead and the others all follow behind her as they make their way outside to the quinjet.
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