He expected some type of heat but the flames were strangely cool. When he finally opened his eyes, the flames were gone and so was the North Pole. They were in a place where earth met sky, beneath a warm sun and clear sky and above solid ground. The floor felt warm and large columns reached above to support the masterly crafted dome. It was like a palace of marble, high in the sky to the point where you could touch the clouds.
Jack looked around cautiously, yet curious about his mystical surroundings. There were little fire pits, with the same vibrant flames as the flower, everywhere. The heat wasn't overbearing, but it was still uncomfortable for a Winter Spirit such as himself.
Other sounds of awe came from behind and Jack knew the Guardians had finally everyone's amazement Sandy was playing with a small winged horse flying around him playfully. The horse whinnied happily, reveling in its' familiar friend's attentions, and danced higher into the air; it's white cerulean wings gliding down on the warm breeze only to climb back up again. As Jack looked around he saw other little creatures around the room. A tiny lion with small leathery wings and spikes trailing down his spine, a small bird with a mouse's face; things right out of his own imagination, alive and happily playing. Then the flames began to get bigger, engulfing the room in heat, and the tiny creatures responded to the thermal increase with excited little chirps and began to zip around the room; and then a joyous squeal sounded in the marble room.
"Sandy, you're back!" What appeared to be a spark zoomed across the room to Sandy, but it was no open flame. It was a girl.
She wrapped her arms around Sandy happily, trying to convey all of her feelings in that single embrace and Sandy returned the gesture with a tender smile. The girl was like a walking flame; sparkling eyes filled with such innocence and creativity. Her hair was bright scarlet with strands of vermillion, and when she turned her head it tricked the eyes into believing her hair was on fire. Her skin was brown as if she'd only ever lived under the sun. The only thing that wasn't red about her was her gold and yellow toga, glittering with a golden solar/lunar pattern stitched into the hem flowing around her feet. Young and regal in a strange way, nothing like Jack had ever seen in anyone he'd encountered in his 300 years.
"Sandy I thought you weren't going to visit until the Autumn Equinox. Never mind that though, I'm so happy you're here! I have so much to tell you." When she finally pulled away from the embrace to begin a recount of her experiences, she saw the rest of them. Sandy cringed and looked at her with pleading eyes. The fire pits around them roared angrily and the flames turned black. Like the flames, her eyes hardened from gold to ebony and her hair began to sizzle as if on fire.
"The Guardians." Her voice was venomous and untrusting. The little creatures who had been playing with Sandman had vanished, leaving behind small burning stones.
"So you know who we are, good! That get's all the awkward introductions out of the way. Nice place you got here, it's very uh… warm." Jack's remark earned him a hard shove from Bunny and a few looks from North.
The fires around them began to morph and change like their mistress, the flamboyant shades now dark, other creatures not like those now hiding as stones began to crawl out. Each looking prepared to kill, these creatures of nightmare brought back memories of past battles with Pitch and his minions. The Guardians tensed and assessed the situation cautiously.
Sandy ran in front of the girl jumping up and down, trying to get her attention. She looked down at him curiously and the creatures disappeared. The fires returned to their original colored form. The little winged horse returned along with all of its' friends unbothered by what had occurred moments ago. Fira looked at the rest of them, then down at Sandy again as if to confirm something.
Then she addressed all of them, "Hello Guardians, what brings you here?" Her tone of voice was flat, with underlying hostility. Jack watched her with an investigating eye as she spoke mainly to Bunny.
North responded, "Only to chat my dear girl." Fira snapped her annoyed gaze upon North.
"Well, forgive me but I don't trust any of you well enough to 'chat'. You're going to have to talk fast, I have work to do." North's blue eyes hardened and met her eyes before speaking again.
"We were curious to see if you had spoken to the man in the moon lately."
The fire girl's hair began to sizzle and was suppressed immediately, "You know better than anyone I have no interest in talking to him." She retorted through clenched teeth.
"It is very urgent." Tooth exclaimed. Fira shot her a malevolent look and the flames became tinged with the same dark obsidian as before. Tooth immediately fell silent under Fira's gaze.
Sandy gave Fira a look of disappointment and her anger began to deflate. Without saying anything it appeared as if she and Sandy were having a debate about something. It was a short argument and Sandy won judging by the girl's reluctant sigh.
"Fine. I will hear what you have to say, then, you will-." She received another look from Sandy. "Join me, please, in the comforts of my keep." The final part was forced and without a word of sincerity. Apprehensively the guardians followed the fiery willed girl as she began to walk towards an open corridor.
In the marble corridors even more creatures danced in small fires that seemed to be littered around every inch of the castle. Tiny faeries made of flames whispered playfully to themselves about the strange guests. Each creature fluttering from a small candle to the next in order to catch a glimpse of the strangers, other creatures fled immediately disappearing into the flames they originated from. Jack watched with masked awe, he'd only seen flames destroy never build or create, but here fire was the source of life.
Unlike before Jack noticed that Fira wasn't as serious as when they first arrived, she happily engaged in conversation with a large horse that bounded towards them. His fur coat was the color of bejeweled sand, and his flowing mane of golden red flames. The large animal curiously stared at Bunny with its' head cocked slightly to the side before trotting off down the hall.
"Ms. Blaze, I see you brought guests without informing me AGAIN! Now how shall I be able to prepare a meal in time?" An exasperated voice cried aloud.
The owner of the voice was a strange bird with a large yellow beak and dark eyes. The bird's feathers were dark as night, but greens and purples danced beneath. The bird strode on its legs carrying itself with the dignity of a peacock, its' size and animated gestures drew in the attention of all.
"Don't be so dramatic Tobias, besides they're no guests." Fira answered coolly.
The strange bird perched upon Fira's shoulder carefully positioning his razor talons to keep from injuring his mistress.
The bird ruffled his feathers and addressed the guardians. "Forgive my lady's manners, she's a fiery one you know. Welcome, honored guests, I am Tobias Longfeather, honored steward of Fira Blaze and the southern sky, at your service! As I live and breathe be it the Guardians of Childhood! Heavens me, this must be an unwell sight to behold, I shall make myself more decent." Gracefully, the dark bird opened his glorious wings to catch the firelight, unveiling the true rainbow within the raven feathers. Gliding down from his perch on Fira's shoulder Tobias ruffled his feathers and fanned out his glittering tail feathers. A dark shadow of violet flames and smoke swirled around the bird, stretching upwards only to fall back to the earth.
Soon, Tobias the bird was no more, and in his place stood the tall mysterious figure of a man. He was slim with dark hair and pale skin, his long nose and dark eyes the only features making appear less than human. Magnificent greens and violets accented his eyes, gems spiraled from the corner of his almond shaped perception to the base of his neck. A kind and humble smile adorned his handsome face as he bowed in a flamboyant, although respectful, gesture. His plum tailcoat fitting his lean physique well and his hospitable nature completed his title as steward appropriately.
It was difficult to tell if Tobias was real or another one of Fira's creations of fire, the later being more believable than the first.
Tobias quickly did an overview of them, and stopped in mid-thought as he recognized the small form that was Sandy.
"By the rising sun in the sky! Master Sandman, it is an honor." Unlike the greeting that the rest of the Guardians had received, Tobias stooped low in greeting, his long nose almost touching the floor. Sandy waved uncomfortably for Tobias to cease such formalities, but the birdlike man was determined to pay his respects.
"Tobias, prepare for a meeting in the library; summon Blon." Tobias quickly arose from his bowing position to carry out Fira's wishes.
"Of course, Miss Blaze." The Guardians watched as Tobias whistled a loud tune to the sky.
"Hurry up now! The mistress has guests, we can't spend all day dilly dallying!" Tobias cried out to no one in particular. As he walked off to some other part of the large house/castle tiny lights seemed to flit around his dark-haired crest.