Mean Seasons 27 Broken Spirit 5

Mother Nature stood in the middle of the large meeting hall, her regal robe, the colors of shadow and crimson, surrounded with white and gold, swishing on the floor as the winds tugged at her.

"I can't believe you two would stoop so low, and over something so trivial."

She spoke with disappointment more than anger. Coming from their Mother, to the two girls who stood accused and waiting to be condemned, it was ten times worse.

"Winter is unruly. He is mischievous, he does mess with your seasons sometimes. However, he never upsets the delicate balance I have set. What possessed you, what could he have possibly done, what crime against me has he commited, for you to seek him out and crush him like you have done?!"

Summer hung her head and stepped forward

"He had to pay for taking lives with his storms. For stealing my Autum from me...making her betray me. He had to pay!"

Mother Nature turned, eyes blazing as thunder roared in the distance.

"Is that what this is truly about, Summer? Winter's Dark Age?"

No answer. But there wasn't need for one. Mother Nature knew that it had really always been the issue. Her boy's Dark Age had tainted many things, but for Summer, it had destroyed a relationship.

"I am well aware of the deathcount Winter caused during that period. I have already spoken to him about it and he feels bad enough without you two aggravating the issue."

"YOU didn't PUNISH him!" Summer raged in a sudden outburst, "Someone had to make that monster pay for-"

"SILENCE! No, I did not punish him because he did not deserve punishment for a crime that did not rock the balance! Winter's death count for those years was regrettable yet acceptable, Summer. In fact if he is not more efficient I may have to raise his quota to match the deaths from that time. That is not the issue. Winter is not on trial here. You are."

She turned to Spring

"You are my favorite. You usher in new life, you balance the others. Why have you committed this crime?"

Spring looked ashamed, "I...I was hoping to teach him a lesson. See, he torments the Easter Bunny on a regular basis..I just wanted to avenge Aster...I didn't mean for him to actually...I didn't..I thought he could get loose..or one of the Guardians would...rescue him before...before it happened."

The woman sighed. Her favorite season had to be punished. They both did, but although she had the power, she did not want to retire them from their duties. That would cause a headache and stress on the balance, which was already tipped because of Winter's condition.

"My girls." She said at last "You have made me very sad. Because of your actions I myself have to once again shoulder the burden of winter. Your actions have also robbed MiM of one of his Guardians until the time when his condition is dissolved. IF it gets resolved. Therefore, with a heavy heart, I declare my judgment."

She waved her hand and shackles appeared, binding the two around their anckles.

"These inhibiters are your punishment. You are hereby sentenced to restraining order. IIf you step foot near Winter, these will shock you with the force of five lightning bolts. Now, begon. I go now to look at what damage you truly have done."

She turned again to them, a glint of warning in her eyes

"If the shocks do not deter you, know that if you disobey, I will not only revoke your responsibilities, I will also banish you to the Nightmare King's Realm."

Her girls visibly shuddered and ran hurriedly to their rooms. Their mother sighed, deeply troubled, and went to change out of her judgment gown.

ROTG

The Guardians slept in the Globe room that night. Jack would be heard by the yetis or elves, who would in turn wake North if something was wrong.

The woman who entered the boy's room through the large window knew this. She also didn't mind right now. She was here to see her boy, and no one, not even Santa Claus, could stop her.

Mother Nature looked at the form on the bed and her heart fell. She sat on the edge of the bed, and was surprised when the snowy locked head turned to face her, eyes open. She held his face in her hand, stroking his bangs and looking into the dull, stormcloud eyes with the deepest sorrow.

"Oh my poor Winter." She lamented in a whisper. Those eyes were in all ways except literally, dead. She looked deeper, trying to find the true essence of her boy, trying to reach his core. "Where are you, Jack Frost? Have you been defeated by binds?" She stroked his cheek "Have you truly been shattered inside?"

She found his core to be darkened, but not totally. She smiled as she saw the tiniest light dancing in the depths of Winter's being. Her face lit up ever so slightly as she drew him into her chest.

"There you are, my boy. Come out to play. Come, there are others waiting for you."

He curled in on himself, a pathetic wimper escaping his throat. Mother Nature almost cried. Yes, the boy was in there , buried in darkness way too deep to salvage right away, but it was still a fact that he was deeply buried.

"It will be a long time before he plays any games."

She sighed and stroked Jack's hair, not looking to the speaker. "Unfortunately, you are correct, father. My poor Winter has been scarred to his core."

Pitch put a hand on her shoulder.

"Even though you are nature herself, you cannot hide your fears from me." He said gently, prodding her subtly.

"That is also correct. I fear his condition will worsen as time goes on. There is so little of him left in his core that anything at all could snuff him out."

He nodded, and she continued "I'm scared for him Daddy." She said, feeling like a little girl again "I don't want to lose him. Anyone but him."

Pitch hugged her,

"Do you really think the Guardians will allow him to give up, my dear? Then why do you fear?"

She smiled, leaning into his chest.

"They are rubbing off on you, my Father." She teased gently.

He snorted.

They sat there together in silence. The two of them held in a hopeful embrace while cloudgrey eyes watched them emptily, then closed with exhaustion.