Disclaimer: I don't own any aspects to this story.

Epilogue

Present Day

Jack looked out the window of his apartment. The room was a little more spacious than his quarters at the Pole. Jack had to admire the craftsmanship of the yetis and elves. The ability to make the room as cold as Jack wanted, and automatically clean up after his various ice activities made it a perfect spot for Jack to practice or just goof off. There was a bedside table, a workbench, even a spot for lobbing snowballs outside. Everything needed to house a mischievous winter Guardian.

The view wasn't bad either. Jack looked out to see the North Pole proper. The city looked as grand as it had a year ago, when Jack had taken a train ride up north to see it for the first time. The tree was still there, as was the clock tower and the platform for the sleigh. Most of the residents of the North Pole were asleep at the moment. Jack couldn't really blame them, after all they had been working on.

On top of Christmas preparations and staying up to see the sendoff, all the staff at the North Pole had been working hard to prepare the room for Jack. Jack had been so surprised to see the place when the other Guardians had showed it to him. He had been at a complete loss for words.

Granted, the room had been ready for Jack last year. North had prepared a whole ceremony ready to showcase the North Pole and Jack's accommodations. During the ceremony, North would have given a speech explaining that all the Guardians got a room up here and could explore or help out as much as they wanted to on the weeks leading up to Christmas. It would also have explained the force field, and why this information was kept top-secret. There would even have been stops for hot cocoa and meeting the reindeer.

Then Jack had gone missing. The other Guardians had searched far and wide, but no sign of Jack was found. They were only reassured once they found out Jack was in Arendelle. No explanation was needed on Jack's end for his disappearance. North had already told the others what Jack had told him in North's letter that dinner evening in Arendelle. So Jack had listened as the Guardians explained what had been going on while he was away. As soon as they heard that Jack was on the list for the Polar Express, they had continued preparations for the big night. Bunnymund regaled Jack about his exploits on border patrol and Polar Express jobs, while Tooth told Jack how her fairies had helped Sven get comfortable with his fellow fliers and the sleigh at the North Pole.

In turn, Jack talked about his time in Arendelle. Everyone was surprised that Jack had lost his powers, but were glad that he was able to regain them. They also were happy that Jack had gotten along so well with the people he stayed with. Nobody was surprised when Jack talked about what he had learned regarding the meaning of Christmas. North explained that all the Guardians had known about that event for a long time. That was part of the reason why their holidays and actions were so important, as they each tried to spread the word about the grace behind Christmas, Easter, and other holidays. This goal was accomplished through various means, like memories, dreams, and gifts. Jack realized he could help out as well with some of his ice powers. Maybe a frost image of a manger or cross every once in a while

That wasn't to say Jack couldn't help with Christmas preparations as well. Shortly after the explanations were done, North took Jack aside to discuss an important job offer.

"Not everyone gets this, Jack. This role is not for weak-hearted. Can be both serious and fun to perform."

"I don't know, North. Do you think I could fit the role?"

"Jack, I've fully known you for two years now, and have seen you here and there for the last several centuries. I think you'd be perfect for job. Your actions as Guardian have made you perfectly suited for role. You'd need to report in a week before, but I think you'd enjoy work. No pressure though. You don't have to accept, and if you try and don't like it, you can leave."

"Really?" Jack had asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course. I don't want people in jobs they detest. Still, at least meet with Conductor. He spoke very highly of you and recommended you for post."

And so Jack had found himself as the official protector of the Polar Express. While Bunnymund, taking various roles that the Conductor might or might not have known about, helped out with asking serious questions of certain passengers and ensuring nobody fell off the train, Jack made sure that no threats ever got close to the train or the passengers. Nightmares, fearlings, avalanches, Jack fought them all. His first trip as protector had gone off without a hitch.

All in all, it had been a rather busy year since Jack's adventure. From his various duties as Guardian to goofing off with his friends, Jack had enjoyed every minute of his time back in the present.

A knock sounded on the door, waking Jack from his reminiscing. "Jack, are you gonna be in there all day, mate? Everyone's up and ready at the tree."

"Coming," Jack yelled, grabbing his staff and present.

Jack ran out the door after Bunnymund. One other thing Jack hadn't known was that the Guardians tended to celebrate their holidays together. North hosted a Christmas party at the North Pole, while Bunnymund had an Easter picnic in the Warren. Tooth and Sandy didn't have one-day holidays, so every once in a while, they'd have their own events to mark occasions surrounding teeth and dreams, like dental appointments or dreams of the deep, well-rested kind. Jack was looking forward to whatever North had planned for today.

Jack went outside the main building where North had come out to give the First Gift. The square seemed a little deserted without all the elves and yetis crowding around the tree. The other Guardians were standing at the foot of the tree, with four presents laying below them.

Jack ran to the others. "I'm not late, am I?"

"Of course not, Jack. You're right on time," Tooth replied.

Jack grinned. "Then let's get this thing going."

Each of the Guardians had drawn names from North's hat to determine who would be giving a gift to whom. Usually, the gift was something that the Guardian made, though it could be something bought if the giver knew the receiver would like it. It could also be because the giver had zero ideas about what to make, but nobody brought that possibility up. Tooth grinned at the Dreamsand painting of her fairies performing a dental operation that Sandy had drawn for her. North forced a grin at the dental hygiene book Tooth had written for North. Bunny was shaking his head at the ugly Christmas sweater Jack had sown with help from the elves of the North Pole clothing department. "Really, Jack, you shouldn't have."

"Well, I think you and that sweater have a lot in common. You both have an outer layer of warmth, and need some work in first impressions.

Once Tooth and her fairies had stopped Bunny from tackling a fellow Guardian, it was Jack's turn. North gave Jack a weirdly shaped object. It was wrapped in paper showing snowflakes, snowballs, and Jack's staff. The object's flat shape seemed to accompany its round top with a small, stick-like shape pointing out at the end. Jack was puzzled. He had no idea what could be in this gift.

North frowned as Jack started to shake the gift. "Jack. No shaking gifts. Remember what happened during the present crash of '13."

"North. First of all, if it's that recent, it probably doesn't need an old-timey way of phrasing it. And second, how was I supposed to know that some delicate china was in that gift?"

"Maybe because there was a sign on the wall saying not to shake presents and the words delicate all over it," Bunny commented.

"Let's just let Jack open his present before we get into any arguing," Tooth interrupted.

"Agreed. Jack, take it away," North added.

Jack tore a tiny corner of the present off. The small tearing continued for about ten seconds, then Jack ripped the whole thing off, unable to keep the suspense up any longer.

Jack's eyebrows raised. His own reflection stared back at him. Around his face was a blue line, decorated with snowmen and snowflakes. A stick part shot below the reflection's chin, allowing Jack to hold it. Jack blinked. It was a mirror. One of the cleanest and nicest mirrors Jack had ever seen.

Jack looked up. "Thanks North. Always wanted a way to see my reflection."

North smiled. "I'm glad you like it, Jack. Though I think you might find there's more to it than meets the eye."

"What do you mean, North?" Jack asked.

"Well, Jack, they say that mirrors are the window to the soul, and…"

"I thought the saying was that eyes are the window to the soul, mate." Bunny interrupted.

North gave Bunny a cross expression. "And I'll take that as my cue to stay quiet. Don't mind me," Bunny mumbled.

North turned back to Tooth and Jack. "As I was saying, mirrors have something to do with windows. Thus, I made this mirror with a special trick. Can only be used once a week. When you use it, you are able to look at something else besides your looks."

"What something would that be?" Jack asked.

"A very special something, Jack. Something that is not reachable by normal means. This something is a group of people. People you've met, Jack. To help answer your question, does the mirror's decorations look familiar?"

Jack turned back to the mirror. Now that North mentioned it, there was something rather familiar about the decorations. What on earth could it…? Wait! The snowflakes looked exactly like the ones at the palace Jack had been to the previous year. And the snowmen looked exactly like a good friend Jack had made last year.

Jack turned back to North. "You mean that this mirror can…?"

"Yes, Jack. It even corresponds to the same time, so it'll have been a year there, just as it was a year here. You can't fully be there physically, but it's the best I could do under the circumstances. At least until we can figure out how to fully align Northern Lights' time."

Jack smiled widely. "Thank you so much, North. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Jack immediately hugged North. He could feel North tapping his back as the hug progressed. "You're welcome, Jack. I knew how much this meant to you. The other Guardians helped out with narrowing down the time and making the mirror fully work. We've tested it and everything works perfectly."

Jack broke away from the hug. "You all helped out with this?" he asked the other Guardians.

All the Guardians nodded their heads. "It's like North said, Jack. We know how much this means to you. Glad that you like it," Tooth said.

"Indeed, mate. Glad that my time was well spent," Bunny added.

A thumbs-up symbol appeared above Sandy's head.

Jack smiled. "Thank you all so much. I'm gonna go try it out. Thank you again," he said, waving wildly as he went back inside the North Pole headquarters. He thought he heard North shouting about not being late for other festivities, but he was too far away to hear specifics.

Jack went up the various halls and stairs back into his room. Once he got inside, he closed the door and sat down, staring intently at the mirror. It was then that Jack realized that he forgot to ask how to work the mirror.

Before Jack started worrying, he felt a slip of paper on the back of the mirror. Jack turned it over to see a small letter taped to the back.

Dear Jack,

If you're reading this, it means that you left before I could give instructions on how to work the mirror. Granted, you could have heard the instructions and just found the letter. In that case, stop reading and feel free to throw away letter. Still reading? Excellent. Had a feeling you would. Now, rules are simple. To fully use power of mirror, simply picture the people that this mirror connects to and they will appear.

Good luck on your communication. Tell everyone I say 'hi.'

Sincerely,

North

Jack smiled. Seems North really did have everything covered when it came to gifts.

Now to picture the people in question. Jack went over to his desk and opened the book laying there. Most of the pictures he had looked at hundreds of times. Pictures of family and events that had helped Jack restore his memories completely. Each picture had been a wonderful reminder of his childhood and family. However there was one picture Jack was looking for.

There it was. Turning to the last page, Jack saw the picture. It looked exactly the same as when he had first attached it there. Jack saw himself standing next to a lady with snow white hair, a living snowman, a reindeer, a young man with scruffy blond hair, and a young woman with chocolate brown hair. All of them were waving and smiling widely.

Jack smiled back. He hadn't looked at this picture in months. Why bother, when he knew he wasn't able to go back there? Every time Jack had tried to open the last page, he had felt a sense of loneliness that held him back. But now with the promise of North's gift, Jack didn't feel that loneliness anymore.

Jack closed his eyes, holding the mirror tightly. Many events popped into his head. His tour of the Arendelle palace, going ice-harvesting with Kristoff, training with Elsa, learning about the truth of Christmas with Olaf. Even the Christmas Eve events popped into Jack's mind, like the charades game and the Polar Express. As the Christmas Day events were replaying themselves, the mirror suddenly turned warm.

Jack opened his eyes to see bright light flashing from the mirror and engulfing his vision completely. Once the flash had subsided, Jack's surroundings changed. Jack found himself in the Arendelle palace living room. He was semi-transparent, being able to somewhat see the floor and furniture through his clothes and skin. Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven were sitting around a tree passing presents and cheering excitedly at what the gifts were. Snow was falling softly outside and mugs of hot cocoa stood on tables next to the couches.

Olaf flicked his head, as if he heard something. He looked up, turning towards Jack's direction. Eyes widening and mouth grinning widely, Olaf tapped Anna's arm. Anna looked up at Olaf, then looked in the direction Olaf was looking. Anna's jaw dropped. "Elsa?"

Elsa repeated the same movement, nostrils flaring in surprise when she turned towards Jack. Jack quickly realized that everyone could see him. He couldn't really blame the looks of surprise. If he had been in their shoes, Jack would have been equally shocked to see what looked like a ghost standing in their living room.

"Jack, is that you?" Anna asked.

Jack grinned. "You bet your boots it's me. Don't mind the transparency, it's still the frosty individual you know."

As everyone came over and conversations started, Jack felt a sense of happiness. This gift went beyond even his own dreams. With his gifts and his friends, Jack knew his Christmas was indeed merry.

And now, we have finally reached the conclusion to this story. Jack has finished his journey, and has reunited with old friends. Not to mention gotten a job that, in my opinion, would be one of the coolest jobs out there. Thank you all for being on this journey with me and reading this story. As always, please rate and review.

I do think, given certain aspects of the story and the season itself, that closing out with a verse or two of the Bible would be appropriate. I hope it brings you comfort and joy during this festive time. With these words, I bid you all adieu. Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope you have a happy holiday and a very merry New Year.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

Romans 05:06-08, NIV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16, NIV

But the angel said to them [the shepherds near Bethlehem], "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Luke 02:10-14, NIV