Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child" =D In this chapter, Jack finally reveals what he wants to be when he grows up (you can probably tell what that is upon reading the title, though, haha). XD
This chapter's really short, but I hope you guys enjoy it nonetheless. ^u^
~ XXXII ~
I Wanna Be a Guardian!
They should've known
They should've seen it coming
But Jack wanting to be a Guardian
Still was stunning
...
At North's house in the village of Santoff Claussen, the Guardians had gathered to once again discuss Pitch's upcoming return. These meetings were held as frequently as possible, but the Guardians still found themselves wrapped up in their daily lives to have a meeting as often as possible. This was the first meeting in a while, and though they wanted to cover everything they had missed right away, someone had something important to announce. And that someone was none other than Jack.
The winter child had gone with each of the Guardians to study how they worked and why they engaged in the jobs they were in. He had listened to them as they explained, and reflected on every piece of information he had received. Watching one work was fascinating, and it definitely helped Jack when he decided what he wanted to be when he grew up.
So, North had allowed the winter child to make his career announcement before any of them go started with the meetings. Jack stood before them, eyes round and sparkling. The young snow sprite threw his hands into the air, grinning.
"I wanna be a Guardian!" he proclaimed.
Aster choked on his tea. "Ah, what?"
Tooth tilted her head. "A Guardian?"
An exclamation point swirled over Sandy's head.
"Well…I wasn't expecting that," said North. None of the Guardians had mentioned much about their Guardianship in their jobs. Although, they probably should've expected something like this to come from Jack. From his childish point of view, being a Guardians was like one of his imaginary adventures: fantastical and, in the winter child's words, "The amazingest thing ever!" He didn't think of the imminent battles, long meetings, or extreme amounts of paperwork that came with the job.
"Yer too young, mate," stated Aster. Jack's shoulders slumped. "It's not all fun and games, and ya don't have the fighting skill yet ta become one."
Jack pouted. "I think I'd make I great Guardian," he said.
"He could become one eventually," said Tooth supportingly, flitting over to Jack's side. The winter child smiled at her. Tooth smiled back. "Jack has potential."
Sandy gave a nod of agreement, dreamsand swirling over his head.
"I think I'd be great if Jack became Guardian," North said. "But you will have to wait, moy mal'chik. You are still too young."
Jack frowned. "I am not!" he insisted. "I can do everything you guys do!"
"Being a Guardian requires a lot of work," said Aster.
"I'll work hard!" said Jack.
"Ya'll have ta be tough."
"I'm tough!"
"And most importantly, ya have ta be able ta protect the children."
"I can protect them!"
"Yer a child, mate."
"I can protect them and myself!"
North laughed. "Bunny, leave him alone," he said. The ex-Cossack turned to the winter child. "If you practice well, you can become a Guardian, Jack. With your winter magic and kind heart, you'd make a great addition to the team."
Jack nodded. "I'll practice my very, very hardest until I master my powers and find center! Then, I'll fight alongside you, Toothy, Sandy, and Bunny, and together we'll take down Pitch forever and save all of Lunslruna from Nightmares!"
The dramatic narration left the Guardians amused.
"And where are ya going ta find the time ta do all that, mate?" asked Aster. "Ya still have school."
Jack paused.
"I didn't think that far ahead…" he whined. The Guardians laughed.
Author's Note: Poor Jack. QwQ If it weren't for school, he'd be a Guardian already...
Nah, I'm just kidding. XD He's got a long way left to go before he's ready to become one. And education is important, as frustrating as it can be sometimes. =')
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and I'll see you in the next one! =D
Until the next chapter!
~BeyondTheMoon1203
