Chapter 6

Anya looked around, amazed at what she was seeing right now. Bunny and Jack invited her to the Guardian's HQ. They entered a magical portal that appeared after the rabbit guardian threw a snow globe.

She observed the place, taking in as much as she could while trying to keep up with the guardians.

She examined the painted walls, decorated with images of presents and murals of children with smiles. There were small elves running about, greeting her as she passed them, and huge yeti that were concentrated on their tasks. She had always imagined yetis as bad, hairy monsters.

They're not that bad. She thought as she followed Jack.

The whole place was adorned with Christmas lights and lanterns. She looked around in admiration, still disbelieving that this was a factory of toys.

"Anya, I want you to meet Tooth." Anya turned around and came face to face with a green humanoid humming-bird.

"Hello, Anya! I've heard so much about you!" Tooth held her hands and shook them. "And your teeth!" She added happily.

"My…what?" Anya backed away, letting her hands slip from the other's grip. But the tooth fairy advanced, closing the distance between them.

"They say that your teeth sparkle like the sun!"

"Oh, um…did Sir Lorax—"

"Oh, no. It's just a rumor! And I want to know if it's true!"

"I never brush my teeth."

"Really?" Tooth's eyes widened. "Never?"

Jack cleared his throat to get Tooth's attention before she rattled on about caring for teeth.

"Have Bunny and Sandy told you about—", Jack moved closer, "—him?"

"Yes." Tooth answered. "Bunny had the yetis carry him into North's study. The three of them are probably there right now."

Jack nodded. I wonder if Bunny told North about the boy's power? He followed the two girls to the lift. It didn't seem like Tooth knew anything, so maybe North didn't either. The doors to the lift opened, and they stepped inside, before the doors closed.

Not yet, anyway.

Inside North's study, Bunnymund and Sandman relayed the earlier events to the other Guardian.

Unfortunately, the old Guardian was much too intrigued with the strange contraption to listen to his fellow Guardians' tales.

This is strange. Magnifying glass at hand, he examined every nook and cranny, every bolt and screw, trying to identify its parts and functions. He pulled out one of the segmented blades and lifted it up, the sharp metal glinting against the lights overhead. I've never seen anything like this.

"Hoo, this is pretty light and tough but—", North reached out and held the other end between two fingers, eyes wide when the blade bent, "—it's flexible."

"Yeah. Hard as a rock when we tried to break it." Bunny commented before resuming his story, which North still ignored.

This looks ancient…but at the same time, advanced. The old guardian took notice of the trigger, hands eager to tinker with it and see what it does when Bunnymund posed a question.

"So, what're we gonna do 'bout it?"

North turned towards him, startled by the question.

"Uh, what was that again?"

"Were you listening?"

"Hmm…"

Bunny rolled his eyes and repeated his narration.

"I was talkin' about the lad, North. He transformed into a giant – human-looking – and almost chewed off Frostbite's head. It happened after he bit his right thumb—"

"Wait, he did what?" North interrupted. His eyes were wide, mind running a mile a minute. "You mentioned that transformation happened after the boy—"

"Bit his thumb, yeah."

North stroked his beard, turning to Sandman who had sat down some time ago while North was obviously ignoring them. The small guardian shrugged and sipped on his eggnog.

"What're we gonna do now, mate?"

A smile spread the Guardian of Wonder's lips as he walked over to his shelf, mumbling to himself as he read the titles at the spines before – finally – pulling one out and setting it on the table. The book looked ancient and quite unread with all the dust that clung to its cover. North swept away the dust with his hand, revealing its title: Interesting Unexplainable Mysteries and Legends That Were True Vol. 343.

"What did it look like?"

"His other form?" Bunny was lost in North's pace, but gave the other guardian as detailed an explanation as he could.

North opened the book, sending dust into the air that made Bunny's nose twitch in irritation. He flipped the pages as the Guardian of Hope continued to speak. A smile settled on his face. He began to read the passage from the book.

THE LEGEND OF THE FALLEN KINGDOM OF TITANS

Long ago, there was a kingdom; vast, rich and advanced with technology. The people were nothing but kind and peaceful.

Despite the advanced technology, the kingdom was also a magical place.

It was ruled by five gigantic beings which the people called the 'Titans'. They were powerful as they were magical, for they possessed God-like speed and strength.

However, even they had their limitations. Their godly abilities can only work inside the ancient walls that enclosed their kingdom.

Why had walls been built in the kingdom's borders?

Because danger lurked outside these walls: the rogue titans.

They were hell bent on eating the people of the kingdom and disrupting their peace. The walls, thankfully, kept them out.

The people were at peace for years, feeling safe and sound. However, despite the tall and sturdy walls, evil still managed to get inside the kingdom.

Among the kingdom's Titans, there was one who was haunted by thoughts of ruling the kingdom with power and might, instead of peace and tranquility as had been done for the past years.

It was the leader, the highest king.

The four other titans disagreed with him. It was a grave decision, but they had no other choice but to banish the highest king, who did not back down without a fight.

And it led to war.

The highest king created an army of rogue titans to go against the four who wanted to banish him. Blood was shed. And at the end, one victor stood – the highest king, the corrupted Titan – at the cost of many of the peoples' lives.

Saddened as he realized the outcome of his actions, he begged for the 'Creator' to bring back all his friends, his people and his kingdom. He begged for things to return to the way they once were. In exchange, he offered his power and eternal life.

"And that is the Legend of the Fallen Kingdom of Titans." North closed the book.

Bunny and Sandman were silent for a few moments, digesting the story, before they looked at each other.

"Not only is he a monster, but he's a dictator to boot!" Sandy could only nod at Bunny's words.

North placed the book back on the shelf and faced the two guardians, his expression as grim as theirs.

"Is he still asleep?" Bunny asked.

North headed for the door beside the bookshelf, and silently turned the knob. He peeked in.

"Yes. He is still asleep."

The yetis had set the boy on a chair, rope tied tightly around his body and a red sack over his head. He was motionless aside from the steady rise and fall of his chest, an indication that he was still sound asleep.

"Bunny."

"Yeah, mate?" Bunny took a glass of eggnog from one of the elves before facing the old guardian.

"I think it would be wise…if Eren were to meet us." North suggested slowly. "Properly."

The shock that the rabbit felt almost caused him to drop the glass that he was holding

The sky…is black.

A large, black cloud loomed in the horizon, slowly spreading outwards. It was expanding, covering the once blue colored sky.

The wind howled fiercely. He couldn't see a thing in front of him. The strong wind stirred the sand and blocked his view.

Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him.

He turned and squinted his eyes, trying to make out something – anything – despite the sandstorm. His eyes could vaguely make out a silhouette. Judging from the small frame, it was a girl. And the girl seemed to be moving…walking.

Towards him.

She was coming closer, fighting against the harsh gusts as she stretched an arm forward, reaching for him. Eren couldn't see the girl's face, but somehow he knew that she was really desperately trying to reach him.

No. Don't come here! I don't know what your reason is but don't!

But the girl was still there. She tripped, her entire body falling onto the ground, but she didn't give up. She forced herself back up and continued to make her way towards him.

No… No! The boy pleaded. But no matter how much he protested, the girl still continued.

I'm begging you! Don't come! Don't—

Eren's eyes burst open.

Another…dream…

He breathed in heavily, gulping in lungful after lungful of air. He surveyed his surroundings but…

Everything's black.

The guardian quickly realized that his face was covered with a sack. He cursed. He tried to move his hands, but he couldn't. They were tied securely.

"Is this…ribbon?" He let his fingers graze the silky material. He tried to force his wrists apart, straining against the material, until a voice echoed dully near him.

"Mornin'."

The greeting made the boy stop his attempts.

"Eren, was it? Sorry 'bout this, really. We can't let North's workshop be destroyed by your…" Eren heard a chuckle. "…other form."

Tch. Eren frowned. He was annoyed at the fact that it was the rabbit guardian speaking to him.

"But, this might be your lucky day." Bunny toyed with his boomerang and signaled for the yetis to come in. "Fellas, would you mind?"

The bound guardian grunted as the yetis lifted him, chair included. He had no idea where they were taking him, no clue as to what direction they're going.

The yetis stopped and put him on the ground and the sack was pulled off of his head. The guardian's eyes squinted at the sudden brightness. He had to blink a few times before everything finally came into focus.

Once his sight had adjusted, he could make out a blazing fire place, a hairy creature that he had never seen before, and 6 people – well, creatures – that stood in a semi-circle in front of him.

Woo-hoo! Be able to update even if ive Midterm exams! So here's the latest chapter. A little bit of history.

Special thanks to Black Rain 105 for beta-reading!