Alaia Skyhawk: Prepare for a surprise :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians, the Guardians of Childhood, or any related characters etc. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes.

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Chapter 119: Ceremony and Siblings

"Aww come on, seriously? I have to wear this?"

"Don't whine, Jack. This is a special occasion, and you're not just any ordinary immortal either. You're directly related to Tsar Solus, founder of the brand new Constellation that will be helping to teach the local ones how to create immortals today."

Bunny let out a resigned sigh, while the Guardian of Fun continued to stare at him in displeasure. They were in Bunny's room, where Pooka had ditched his bandoleer and such for today in favour of the traditional formal attire of his people. Which if it were to be described in human terms, was a Grecian robe and a golden belt, with elaborate golden bands also worn around the upper arms.

In place of the Pooka Brotherhood insignia, which would normally have been on a chain around his neck, Bunny had transferred his Guardian insignia buckle from his bandoleer to his belt. Against the green of his robe, which was the same shade as his casual 'hanging out in the Warren' ones from back home, and the gold of the belt, the silver stood out proudly.

Jack, on the other hand, had just been told he couldn't wear any of his current clothing to the ceremony.

The Spirit of Winter huffed in annoyance, glancing between the proposed outfit laid out, and his fellow immortal.

"If the hoodie is no good, they could have just sent a plain shirt."

Bunny heaved another sigh, gesturing pointedly.

"And those trousers of yours are no good either! Yes, I know, they're your usual and have been a part of your 'look' ever since you became an immortal. But this is a big formal occasion, and you're representing both the Earth and your nephew at this. Do you want to stand beside Jamie, in his fancy robes, looking like a total scruff by comparison?"

That gave Jack pause, as the Spirit of Winter winced. He then turned his head slowly to regard the outfit again. It was 'typical' Golden Age formal-wear, all swirls and fancy patterns. It was done in the same gold, red, and orange with white detailing that were Jamie's official colours, and consisted of a pair of fitted trousers with lacing to bind them to the lower leg, no doubt suggested by Jamie, and of a tailored short jacket with matching cream-coloured shirt. To finish it off there was a cream neckerchief, somewhat like Sandy's, upon which he could fasten his Guardian insignia.

Downside was, to get the new trousers on...

"I'd have to take my normal trousers off. I'll never get those ones on over the top."

Bunny gave him a confused look.

"What's the problem? You've worn other clothes before."

Jack grimaced.

"Yeah... Over the top of my usual trousers."

The Pooka's expression became startled.

"Are you saying that in over three-hundred years, you have never taken those things off?"

"That's about the size of it." Jack now noted Bunny's slightly disgusted stare. "Hey, don't look at me like that! My power keeps them almost totally frozen all the time, protects them from damage and dirt as well, and I don't sweat or anything like that. Nothing sticks to them, so why would I go to the hassle of taking them off to wash them if I didn't need to? It's not like immortals need to 'go to the bathroom' either. I've never had a reason to take them off."

He started to frown, a hint of hurt in his voice. "Besides, I don't know if you've noticed, but they aren't exactly in the best condition. They might fall apart once away from my power, and they're one of the few things I still have from when I was mortal. They're as much a part of what makes me 'me' as my staff is. Can you imagine me flying around spreading winter and fun wearing anything else?"

Bunny remained silent for several seconds, then shook his head.

"You're right, I can't imagine you doing your work in anything else. But still... Aren't you the one who always tells people not to worry about 'what ifs'. If they do start to fall apart once they're off, you have my word that I'll fix them for you. In fact, I'll fix them up anyway so you never have to worry about them falling to bits ever again. Deal?"

Jack reluctantly nodded.

"Fine, and before you ask no I don't need a bath. I had one the day before I died, so I'm pretty damn certain there's no over three-hundred year old dirt under these. Now go outside the door so I can get changed."

Bunny did so, and tactfully decided against any teasing. Jack was unhappy enough as it was, given the sentimental value of that particular article of clothing. When Jack called him back into the room, the Spirit of Winter was ever-so-carefully folding up the ragged collection of brown cloth and leather laces. He was barely paying any attention at all to the finery he was now wearing. His hoodie and cloak were folded in another pile on the nearby dresser.

Jack handed his folded trousers over, frowning.

"They better look exactly the same when I get them back."

Bunny took charge of the bundle with equal care, and patted Jack on one fancy-jacketed shoulder.

"They will. Don't worry about that." He turned, moving to the small lockable box that every guest-room had, and put the bundle inside it. He then started towards the door. "Come along, Snowflake. Let's get down there before we're late."

Jack followed, although replaced his sulky expression with a more general cheerful expression as soon as they stepped out into the hallway.

The ceremony was being held outside at the largest of the Citadel's plazas, where around two-thousand selected important guests were gathering in the rows upon rows of chairs radiating outwards from the stairway that would serve as the dais for the event. Everyone was waiting patiently, but also with great anticipation, for this was an event that would prove beyond all doubt that a New Golden Age was beginning.

Jack and Bunny, along with Jamie and the other Constellations, didn't have to wait long after all of them had arrived in the antechamber closest to the plaza. Wyatt and Jakub were there as well, but kept off to one side along with two nervous-looking men on one side, and two women and another man on the other.

By the strangers' outfits, it was clear who was who for the Nature Immortals side of things. One was dressed in the pale greens and yellows of spring, while the other wore robes with colours from all this world's seasons. Ironically it was the younger of the two who was the latter, although neither looked to be above mid-thirties by Earth standards. Also neither looked to be particularly striking, in fact without their clothing they would have seemed rather mundane both in appearance and manner... For Jack it was somewhat like looking at Oisin from the days when the Spirit of Autumn had been a lot more stiff than he was now.

Still, Earth was an exception in a lot of cases. It was highly unlikely that anyone like 'firecrackers' Ariko and Achieng would be among the current candidates every world had waiting in reserve. Steady, patient individuals were the best general match for the high-ranked Nature roles. A bit boring perhaps, but again that would be by Earth standards.

The other three looked a more mixed bunch, and by the general conversation going on, those three were about to become Guardians.

Jack continued to entertain himself with his musings once it was time to go outside and the ceremony itself started. Stood in the sunlight, listening to Tsar Gallus extol to the audience how momentous the event was. Trying hard not to yawn with boredom at the seemingly endless string of formalities, or fidget with the collar of his jacket.

Jack also had to firmly restrain himself from fiddling with his neckerchief either. He'd never worn one before, and despite having his own personal little bubble of cold air at all times, he felt stifled by it. In fact he was distracted enough that he almost missed the moment when the significant part of the ceremony began.

Tsar Lunar and Tsar Gallus moved on one side, while Jamie and Tsarina Anser moved on the other. Once at the edge of the steps, Tsar Lunar then spoke out.

"Tanmun, you who are to be Father Nature for Lumeris, step forward."

Jamie spoke now, with a not inconsiderable degree of pride.

"Emed, you who are to be Spirit of Spring for Lumeris, step forward."

Both men did so, and this time it was Tsar Gallus who spoke.

"Do you both swear to serve the People of Lumeris, with both faith and belief, until the end of your days? To fulfil the mantle of duties you are about to take upon your shoulders?"

"We do."

Tsar Lunar took hold of Tsar Gallus' hand and placed it on Tanmun's shoulder, and then put his own hand over the top. Both of them closed their eyes, one performing the transformation, and the other using his senses to watch how it was done.

On the other side Jamie did the same with Tsarina Anser, turning Emed into a Legend as the first stage of his transition. Her expression turned to wonder once it was done, and there in her eyes was the clear thought of 'it's really that simple?'

But now came the next part, which was to show the new Father Nature how to turn Legend Emed into a Spirit of Spring. A part which had a surprise involvement for a certain immortal.

Tsar Lunar gestured towards him.

"Jack Frost, if you would assist with this part. As a Constel you have experience of this from that perspective."

Jack blinked, hesitating a moment before hastening forward. Suddenly very aware of the large audience watching.

"What do you need me to do?"

Tsar Lunar smiled.

"Observe and advise, as we show Tanmun how to connect selected Forces of Nature to a Legend to make them a Nature Immortal."

Jack was tugged forward by Tsar Lunar, who then had him and Tsar Gallus each hold one of Tanmun's hands. Tsar Lunar then, as before, placed his own hands over those of the observers.

Jack found himself jolted into some sort of dreamlike space, surrounded by so many varied sounds it should have been a discordant cacophony. And yet as chaotic as the sounds were, there were patterns in them like melodies. No sooner than he tried to listen to one, than it was lost behind another. Then he became aware of another three presences at his 'side', and somehow knew that they didn't 'see' or 'hear' this strange place in the same way he did. That they would describe it differently, and perhaps the only reason he knew what he was sensing was because he was related to Jamie and this was exactly how Jamie had described it.

It was the Manefestational Ether, the source power behind everything in the Golden Age, yet at the same time he knew he was only hearing this much because he was being shown it. On his own, chances were he'd only hear the parts related to his own season.

To test it he reached out with his mind, gripping what he knew was 'winter' on Earth, then split it off into the 'threads' he would use to create Lieutenants. In with them, he noted, he'd subconsciously added the 'strands' that would connect a Lieutenant to himself. He plucked those out, leaving just a measure of winter in his grasp instead.

'And that is how a Constel does it. Selecting the correct natural forces before proceeding. Although in your case, Tanmun, when creating a Spirit of the Seasons, keep in the special thread. You only remove it for regular Nature Immortals.'

Jack 'flinched' in this dreamlike world, caught by surprise and losing his grip on the strands of winter. They slipped away like a breeze, leaving in their wake a definite sense of his own embarrassment. He'd completely forgotten that Tsar Lunar, Tsar Gallus, and Tanmun would all be aware of what he was doing.

If he could blush in this place, he'd have been doing it.

'Ah, yeah. That's the way to do it... Except for Emed it needs to be Spring, not Winter.'

Tsar Lunar's quiet mental chuckle whispered through the void.

'Indeed. Tanmun, as you have already spent years learning to sense them all, proceed with gathering up everything that is 'Spring' on Lumeris. Once you have it all, let Jack guide you in how to connect it to Emed.'

There was a moment of hesitation, and Tanmun's voice tentatively entered the void.

'Very well. I shall do my best.'

For Jack, this time he could see what the others must have seen when he had done it. The 'view' of seeing another person gather up strands from the Ether and twine them together. He couldn't really make sense of much of Lumeris' Spring, but he still knew when Tanmun had all of it. But how to demonstrate the way to connect it?

Jack chuckled to himself in mischief, gathered up a few very specific winter forces, shaped to the most minor degree, then reached out for a very familiar nearby immortal.

'Watch... And don't worry, I'll undo this later once he notices it.'

Tsar Lunar laughed outright at the prank, leaving both Tsar Gallus and Tanmun a bit bemused. Even so the demonstration did clearly show the 'how', and the new Father Nature took his gathered-up Spring and tied it into place within Emed.

A moment later Jack found himself 'outside' again, and stepped back to his original position as Tsar Gallus declared the successful creation of Lumeris' Father Nature and Spirit of Spring.

The audience cheered in jubilation, with the ceremony proceeding to the three new Guardians once it had quietened down again. These three were the standard Golden Age set; Guardians of Wonder, Imagination, and Curiosity. Apparently every world would get these, in addition to two or three more with traits that particularly matched up with their individual world.

Again it seemed Earth was going to stay the odd one out, because North was the only Guardian there that matched the ordinary set... Not that he'd ever be ordinary. It was doubtful any other Guardian of Wonder would be a sword-wielding wizard/former Cossack warrior, who had defeated a whole regiment of cavalry with a bent steak knife... Oh, and who had also fought and defeated the Nightmare King.

The three new Guardians were again transformed by either Tsar Lunar or Jamie, with each case observed by Tsar Vespa, Tsar Noctua, and Tsar Apis. Over the coming months, going to other worlds, the five local Constellations would be able to watch each other at work and pool their knowledge of Legend and Nature Immortal creation. They now had everything they needed, to go to every world and set things in motion.

The ceremony at last came to its end, and the seating of the plaza was then swiftly rearranged ready for a large party to take place upon it. A similar arrangement was set up at the top of the stairway, once the spell projecting their voices to the audience had been removed. Certain individuals from the audience were invited up to that area, but the numbers were kept small to spare the five new immortals from being crowded by ecstatic well-wishers.

It was just after this, as the drinks were served, that Jack's mid-ceremony prank came to fruition.

Bunny was in the midst of chatting to the three new Guardians, advising them that 'Trust me, you'll know you've found your way of doing things, when you find it'. He reached out to accept a drink from a passing waiter, and a moment later was about to drink from it when he realised it had frozen solid.

He tried again, with a drink from the next waiter, and that one froze as well. A suspicious glance towards Jack revealing the Spirit of Winter was currently in conversation with the new Father Nature and Spirit of Spring.

Bunny grumbled under his breath, not sure whether that made Jack innocent or just a very good actor, and reached for a little cream-filled pasty from the plate of them on the nearby table...

It froze solid as well, along with every other pastry on the plate, causing Bunny to flinch back in a little hop of surprise. But that only compounded the issue, because his surprise made his errant temporary ability act up again... Frosting over all his fur and his formal robes, in a surge of power that unmistakeably came through himself.

And there was only one person who had the inclination to be responsible for that.

"Frostbite! You undo this right now!"

The Pooka's indignant exclamation caused every head at this smaller section of party to turn. Bunny's grey fur was entirely tipped in hoarfrost, making him bristle even more so than he was already doing.

Jack burst out laughing, doubled over in mirth before pointing.

"Aww come on, it suits you!"

"Jack!" Bunny stomped over. "How did you even do this anyway?!"

The Spirit of Winter darted backwards out-of-reach on a gust of air, grinning unrepentantly.

"I'm a Constel, remember? I showed Tanmun how to connect Forces of Nature to a Legend to make them a Nature Immortal."

"And you couldn't think of a better way to do that?"

"Not one that would be as much fun."

This time Bunny's dash forward was fast enough that Jack couldn't dodge, and the Spirit of Winter was firmly grasped by the front of his jacket. But before further threats and or possible maiming could proceed, an amused female voice cut across the scene.

"He makes a point, Edmund Aster Bunnymund. It suits you."

Bunny dropped Jack and turned sharply towards the voice, his frosted ears pricked up in surprise and hope. At the top of the stairs, having just made her way up from the audience, was a female Pooka in a pale yellow robe. Her markings near identical to his, and her eyes the same vivid green.

Bunny gasped.

"Lilali!"

She smiled and laughed.

"Hello, little brother. It's been a long time." A hint of tears glittered in her eyes. "When the message reached me, about Tsar Lunar, and also that you were alive, I set off here right away. Luckily Planet Yeretan is close enough to Lumeris for me get here in time for the ceremony today."

Bunny looked as though he were about to cry, until he looked down at his frosted fur and clothing and promptly began to fluster in embarrassment.

"Jack for the love of little eggs, put me back to normal! I don't want to hug my sister only to freeze her over!"

Jack, still grinning widely, nodded and tapped him on the shoulder with his staff.

"Sure thing, Snowbunny."

The winter powers now removed, the frost on Bunny's fur and clothing melted... Leaving him rather wet in the process.

Lilali burst out laughing at the sight, trying and failing to smother her giggles behind a paw. She then walked over, holding out a paw to Jack in greeting.

"I'm Lilali Claeret Bunnymund, Edmund's older sister." Bunny spluttered, and she glanced at him. "He also hates being called Edmund, which is why he insists on going by 'E. Aster' instead of 'Edmund A'."

Bunny carefully shook water-droplets off himself, making sure not to get any on the nearby people or tables.

"And so would you if your name was Edmund Bunnymund." He looked at Jack. "And don't you dare think about telling North my first-name. He's a bad enough tease already."

Jack raised his eyebrows at that, then shook the paw Lilali held out to him.

"I'm Jackson Overland Frost, otherwise known as Jack Frost. Spirit of Winter and Guardian of Fun for Planet Earth."

Lilali glanced at her bedraggled brother.

"I can see you live up to the latter of those, with considerable enthusiasm."

"Lilali!"

She chuckled.

"I should also note that, while I don't know who 'North' is, he is probably not as much a tease of my brother as I am." She turned and pulled her brother into a hug, ignoring the fact he was still wet. "Admit it, you missed me as much as I've missed you."

Bunny didn't respond with words, he was too busy hugging her back and trying not to sob into her shoulder.

Jack chose that moment to beat a tactical retreat, and to find new entertainment in sneakily using the winds to scatter frostdust over the entire party. He then created an ice-slide down one side of the stairway, and an ice-rink on half of the dancing area in the middle of the plaza. With the frostdust he'd put over everyone, it wasn't long before the porters were ferrying boxes of ice-skates to the party, and several dozen of the guests were queued up to take a ride laughing down the slide.

Off to the side at the top of the stairway, watching the goings on with smiles on their faces, Jamie and Tsar Lunar sipped on their drinks and sighed contentedly. The younger of them glancing at the elder, who was back on his homeworld again after so long away.

"What does it feel like, to be here on Lumeris again?"

Tsar Lunar sighed again, still smiling softly.

"It was so very long ago, and I was just a young child. Would it sound strange to you, if I were to say that the Moon Clipper feels more like home than this, my actual homeworld, does?"

Jamie shook his head.

"No, it doesn't seem strange to me." He paused, looking out across the party to the city beyond. "Will you be ok, when the day comes that you return here for good?"

Tsar Lunar nodded, although there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"I will adapt, and I know the Moon Clipper and the Earth will be in good hands with you." He glanced at him. "But do not worry, for it will still be several decades before that day comes. While you are a protégé by many standards, both as a wizard and a Constellation, you still have a great deal to learn."

Jamie held his glass up in toast.

"Then I shall be the best student you'll ever have. Not so you have to leave sooner, but so that you won't have any need to regret it when you do."

Tsar Lunar also raised his glass.

"Indeed. I have a feeling ours will be a partnership of equals, to span the New Golden Age for as long as it may last."

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Alaia Skyhawk: Sulky!Jack, Bored!Jack, Pranking!Jack, Teasing!Jack, Messing About!Jack, this chapter had it all! In addition to Bunny getting teased by his sister :D

I've been waiting ages to put her in ^_^