Crystal Springs

by SafyreSky

It's been nearly a year since the Thaw and things are looking...not so great. Jack's powers are seemingly gone and the Dome covering the North Pole is melting. The solution? Enacting the Legate Law, bringing Jack and the sister he hurt so many years ago together again. With his powers gone and his sister on the fritz, saving everyone just got a little more complicated. [Rewritten!]

25. Chapter 24: Blizzards

Chapter 24: Blizzards

There was one thing both sprites were absolutely certain about.

Nothing was working.

Two pie-less glass containers sat stacked in the snow, lids underneath, cutlery resting in place of pie. The cold winds rattled the metal against the glass as it moaned through the Dome, the tiny clang echoing around the near vicinity. The landscape was just as wet and watery as before. Ice chunks still littered the ground. Water still ran in the distance, the far off tinkling just barely reaching their ears.

"Well this is a goddess damned snow queen of an unsatisfactory situation," Jacqueline finally said, kicking an ice chunk away.

"Ou, Brokeback Mountain?"

"Magical censoring edition, regrettably." She huffed, surveying the Dome.

"Good movie though," Jack said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin.

Jacqueline shrugged. "Yeah. I enjoyed it."

The wind blew, groaning loudly as the two sprites stared at the Dome. Hems were ruffled; snowy tresses blown back gently. The silence stretched between them.

"UGH." Jacqueline threw her hands up in the air, turning on her heel. "We've tried EVERYTHING." Her arms fell to her sides, knuckles white as she paced back and forth.

"Well, let's run through the list again," Jack said, uncrossing his arms. He pushed back his jacket, resting his hands on his hips.

"We tried the whispering. Didn't work," Jacqueline ticked each item of her fingers, pacing a trench in front of the Dome. "We tried power merging. For WHATEVER reason, it doesn't want to work EITHER. We tried just me; we tried just you. We tried every single way you know of to fix the Dome. We even messaged MOM for some advice!" She stopped beside Jack, hands up in the air. "And NOTHING'S WORKING!"

"Okay, just, just calm down, alright?" Jack spread his palms flat in front of him, hoping to relax her. "Deep breaths."

Jacqueline pouted. "How do you expect me to calm down when THIS," she thrust her hands towards the Dome, "WON'T STAY FIXED?! Everything you do, everything I do, won't work! I can't—" she pressed her fingers against her temples. "I can't fix it. And because of that, you—" she bit her lip, and, with a little growl, threw herself face down into the snow.

Hands back on his hips, Jack stared down at his sister, eyebrow raised. "Feel better now that you've gotten a face full of slush?" he asked, moving to stand by her head.

She tossed her head, pulling her face out of the snow to look up at him. "Maybe a bit. It'd be better if it was fluffy snow. Or even packing snow. This is like, worse than the fake snow at ski resorts." Lifting her head, she sighed. She crossed her arms, rested her chin on them, and glanced up at the Dome with an unamused tilt of her head. "What now?"

Jack sighed, tapping the ground beside her with his foot. A small mound of ice popped out of the slush; pinching the knees of his pants he sat down, hems safe from the slush. Above them, a crack rang out. Jack glanced up, perturbed. Jacqueline lifted herself up on her elbows with an incredibly unamused look.

"Jack."

"What?"

"This is why we can't have nice things."

"I'd rather not sit in the slush for this."

Jacqueline squinted at him, suspicious. "You have an idea."

"I do."

"And I'm not going to like it," she pushed herself up fully, sitting on her knees.

"Slight chance you'll hate it, yes."

Jacqueline sighed. "Alright. Let's hear it."

"I think we should enact the Legate Law."

"We already did."

"No. Fully. I think we should fully enact the Legate Law."

"Oh, no. No, Jack, no! Absolutely not! You can't possibly be that desperate."

Jack sighed. A tired sigh. Jacqueline pulled back; he sounded so…weary.

"I'm sorry, Jacqueline. I don't think we have a choice. If we fully enact it, then the responsibility gets handed right down to you. You'd be able to fix it, no problem."

"But what about you?"

"We'd figure out the freezer burn easily enough after that. It'd ah, probably be easier, too, since we wouldn't have to think about Santa's roof," Jack said, gesturing up at it with his thumb. As if on cue, another low thrum rang out.

"That's not what I meant." Taking her eyes off of the Dome, Jacqueline turned to face him. "Your title! Your hard work, everything you did to get here! Jack, it can't end like this, I can't take over like this! I was supposed to help you! Without resorting to that!"

"Jacqueline, we're kind of under a time crunch here. You know I wouldn't do this if it wasn't our literal last option. Also, it's your job. It's literally your job."

"I know! I just…" Jacqueline frowned. Her hands slid right off of her skirt, landing in the snow. She thrust them deeper into the slush, brow furrowed in thought. "I didn't think I'd be taking over so soon," she admitted. "Jack, it's your title. You've worked so hard for it; I know how important it is to you. And how much work you did to earn it! I don't want you to lose it. Not like this."

"Well, yeah! Of course it means a lot to me! But someone's gotta carry it on eventually. And that someone is you. Yeah, I worked hard for it. And yes, it's a big deal to me. But I know that I'm leaving it in good hands," Jack finished with an earnest smile.

Jacqueline looked up, flushed. "Jack! Don't get all slushy right now! I'm having a crisis, man!"

Jack laughed. "I can see that. Tell you what," smacking his hands on his knees, he pushed himself off the stool. "How about I go get us a pick me up, hmm? A little bite to eat, some cocoa. Maybe some caffeine. It'll give you some time to mull it over," he offered her a hand. She looked at it, exhausted. "Did you want to come with me?"

Jacqueline shook her head. "No. I think I'll take a moment to myself to give it some thought."

She sounded so…defeated. "It's not a loss, Jacqueline," Jack assured, dropping his hand and squatting to her eye level. "We haven't failed yet. It's just…you know, the next best thing. The next logical step. It doesn't even need to be permanent. There isn't a single rule that says we can't switch back after the fact."

"I guess," Jacqueline said, unsure, a little sideways frown deepening with every passing moment.

"I'll leave you to it, then. Will you be okay on your own?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." She looked up, flashing him a reassuring smile. "I'll give it some thought. It's just…there's stuff that's hard for me to explain and say that's making it hard for me to be cool with this and yeah," she scratched the back of her head, lips pressed together.

"Not to worry!" Jack said, popping back up. "Take your time. We can regroup when I get back."

Jacqueline nodded. "Sounds good."

"Any requests?"

"Yeah, whatever drink you get me, get me like, the LARGEST size they have. And maybe spike it."

"With caffeine or—?"

"Maybe both. I think it's going to be a long night," she glanced back up at the Dome. "I'll be okay! Now get lost. And come back with something sweet!" she said, shooing him away playfully.

"Am I not sweet enough?" Jack asked, walking backwards, hands out at his sides.

Jacqueline looked unimpressed. She lifted a hand, the light blue glow of her magic swirling to life. "Get outta here, you giant snow diva!"

Laughing, Jack turned on his heel and slid down the hill in a nick of time. Snowballs flew right over his head.

"Missed me!"

"Next time I won't!" Jacqueline shouted back. She watched him wave over his shoulder, her smile dropping when he finally disappeared below the hills.

With a resigned sigh, she got up, making her way to the Dome. She rested a hand on it. Listened. Pushed her magic into it. It glowed—but it wasn't as bright as it should be.

Her hand fell. Closing her eyes she sighed, resting her back on the Dome and slowly sliding down it. Bringing her knees to her chest, she hugged her legs tightly as one of her least favourite sentences bloomed to life in her thoughts.

Jack was right. There was no other choice.

She hugged her legs tighter, burying her face in her skirts. It shouldn't have been like this. She was not ready to do the job in any official capacity.

Not again.

---

Jack trudged through the town square, eyes trained on the ground, deep in thought.

He didn't want to fully enact the Legate Law, either…but what choice did they have?

None, really. And how was he supposed to tell Jacqueline what he was thinking? That he also felt like it was a defeat, a loss? Like they were giving up? He was so close just this morning, and now? He exhaled, kicking a lump of snow off to the side.

"JACK!"

"Hmm?" He perked up, glancing up at the red bridges linking the prime real estate to the Workshop. Up on the middle banister stood a familiar red head, bundled in a pink sweater, waving so ferociously at him that Jack thought it was a wonder he could still see her hand. He perked up. "Lucy! Hey! What are you doing here?"

"Uncle Scott brought us all up again this year," she said sweetly, leaning over the balcony. "I didn't know you were here yet!"

Jack shrugged. "Duty called!"

"Ha, duty," she giggled to herself. "Are you here alone?"

"I came with my sister, actually."

"Your SISTER!?" Lucy leaned even further off the balcony, stretching as far as her torso would let her and looking back and forth. "Where is she?! I'd love to meet her!"

"Up by the Dome! I volunteered to get us some food, and she stayed behind. Taking a breather, you know. It's hard work, keeping your Uncle's ceiling in check!"

"Want some company?" Lucy asked.

"Shouldn't you be staying inside?" Jack countered, eyebrow raised.

"Oh please," Lucy scoffed, waving his words away. "I think the safest spot in the whole entire Pole right now would be with the Legend in charge of the Dome."

Jack chuckled. "You're too kind," he said, hand on his chest, bowing his head a bit, other hand sticking out.

Lucy laughed. "Hang on! I'll be right down."

And, before Jack could reply, she disappeared into the Workshop. Moments later she popped out of the upper doors, an orange and pink blur running down the steps two at a time before skidding to a stop in front of him.

"Hi Jack."

"Hi Lucy."

"It's nice to see you! You look all frosty again," she frowned as she surveyed his face. "But your cheeks are all warm!"

"Nasty side effect from that little stunt you pulled last Christmas," Jack teased. "You got taller!"

"Uh, duh! I'm thirteen," she said. "I'm overdue for a growth spurt! Where are you going for lunch?"

"Just to the Grille." He resumed his walk, Lucy trotting along beside him. "It's the nearest food place to us and we're under a bit of a time crunch, so the closer, the better," Jack frowned, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You seem sad," Lucy said. "I thought you would've been super happy, since you got to see your family again."

"Oh, I am! Was! I mean. It was very nice to see them again and spend time at home and all that jazz," Jack sniffed as they approached the little patio. The lineup was out the door. "I had hoped we'd be able to stay longer, but ah, well. Like I said. Duty calls, and such."

"You know," Lucy began, trying to sound very smart. "My Dad says that when you miss someone, it's better to talk about them than to ignore them."

"You just want to know all about the illustrious Frosts."

"I DO," Lucy said loudly, looking intense. "Tell me EVERYTHING!"

"So demanding!"

"Please? Please, please, PLEASE?! Jack, that's a whole family you have! That nobody knew about but you! What are they like? Do you all have winter powers? Are there other sprites with other powers? What's your sister like? Do you have other siblings? Is your sister your favourite? What about your parents? What are they like? Do you have a mom and a dad, or like two dads, or like two moms—"

"Lucy!" Jack chuckled. "Slow down, would you?"

"I'm just really excited," she said, grinning up at him.

"I noticed." Jack paused, surveying the girl curiously. "I will answer all of your questions. But first, I have one for you that you need to answer in exchange."

She looked thoughtful. "Only if you PROMISE to answer mine."

"I will. And I'll prove it!" Jack grinned. He took a deep, deep breath in and launched into answer mode. "My family is wonderful! And a bit crazy, and very silly, and very old. Even my youngest siblings are older than you. Only half of us have winter powers. The other half have summer powers, and yes, there are other sprites favouring other seasonal dispositions. Jacqueline is my favourite, but don't tell her I said that. It'll just go right to her head, and it's very funny when she announces herself as my favourite sister and I go you don't look or sound like Fiera at all! She gets so offended, it's. It's great," he smiled to himself fondly as they moved up a bit in line. "I have two parents. A mom and a dad. They're like most parents. Overbearing. Gross. But absolutely lovely! A bit silly, too, but all six of us are, really. After all, we HAD to get it from somewhere! They love every single kid very much. And love each other even more. Hence the gross part. They act like absolute honeymooners!"

Lucy laughed. "I bet they're super powerful, too!"

"Oh yeah! Big time. My mother is Winter, after all."

"Like the season?"

Jack nodded. "Yep. She is the season."

"Neat!" Lucy said, excited. "I thought that—"

"Ah bup-bup-bup-bup! I believe you promised me an answer to a question?"

Lucy closed her mouth, giggling. "I did, didn't I?"

"And if you want more answers from me, you're going to need to give me some in return."

"I don't know if I can! I mean, I'm not an ancient magical being with cool powers."

"But you certainly have magic in you."

"You think so?!"

"Lucy. Your hug thawed me. It broke a curse that was supposed to be unbreakable; something that they said couldn't be done."

"Who even is they?"

"Hey! I'm doing the asking now," Jack chided as they stepped closer to the door.

Lucy laughed. "Right, sorry Jack. I promise I'm listening now!"

"Good." He looked thoughtful for a moment, before finally asking. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Hug me? Why did you do it? I mean, I froze your parents. I locked you in a closet with them after threatening you with the same fate! I didn't deserve any kindness from you, and yet…why?"

Lucy looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking up. "You looked like you really needed a hug," she shrugged. "And my hugs are VERY warm, and you looked like you really needed a very warm hug."

"That's it?"

Lucy nodded. "I didn't know if it would work. But I know one thing for sure! Hugs make everything better! They are the best kind of medicine," she grinned up at him.

"Legend tested and approved," Jack smiled back, as they entered the shop. "Even then, that's all you had to do, you know. You could've just left it there. But here you are, waiting in this dreadfully long line with me, being kind. What is up with that?"

"I think everyone deserves a little kindness! Like, there was this girl in my class, Kat, who's whole thing was just being mean to everyone! She made kids cry, like, more than once a week. Nobody liked her. I bet that felt awful. So I decided to just be kind to her. She looked like she needed it! And then guess what happened?"

"What?"

"She stopped making kids cry! She just needed a little kindness. And I thought you did too," Lucy said with a wise little nod. "And still do!"

"Thanks, Lucy," he said with a smile. "I appreciate that."

"Especially today," she said, the bell finally jingling above them. "You looked really, really upset. I called your name like, seven times!"

"Really? I only heard you once."

"Exactly! Wanna talk about it?"

"Well, we're not going anywhere," Jack said, the line stagnant as the elf in front stared at the menu, a long drawn out uh droning above the chatter and the clatter.

"We're at least in the door!"

Jack sighed, leaning against the doorframe. He rubbed his chin. "I lost my powers."

"I'm sorry about that," Lucy looked down. "I didn't mean to take them away from you."

Jack laughed. "You didn't! Don't worry. And please, don't blame yourself! If you hadn't done that, your parents would still be frozen. I'd probably be facing banishment if not already banished, and I'd never have gotten to see my family again."

"Well I guess it's not the worst thing when you put it like that."

"Exactly. I've had a very long year, but it's been a good one! You know, lack of powers aside. As things got better for me with your Uncle and Carol, I found myself unable to. You know. Winter it up," he said, wiggling his fingers. "It was hard to admit."

"But I'm glad you did," Lucy said. "Cause then you were able to get the help you needed! And see your family again!"

Jack laughed. "Right, the family you are oh so curious about."

"Yeah! Your siblings! What are they like?"

"Fino and Fiera are the youngest. Twins. Of the fiery disposition, literally and figuratively. They're nearly twelve hundred—so by human standards, about your age. Fiera's a wild card; Fino is a bit more reserved. Both are very full of questions—I bet the three of you would get along famously."

"They sound fun!"

"That's one way of putting it, yes."

"And your favourite sister. Jacqueline?"

"Yes! Jacqueline!" Jack said, brightening up as the elf in front decided on what to order, the line finally shifting. "Frosty, like me." He pushed off the doorframe, stepping into the Grille. "I taught her everything. I was in my mid two-thousands when she came along."

"So like, mid twenties in human years?"

"Thereabouts, yes. I didn't expect to have a sibling, ever, at all. I mean, my parents had twenty-four hundred years or so and had never had a second kid."

Lucy laughed. "They had their hands full with you!"

"They did, yes. I wasn't exactly a walk in the park. But I chilled out for a bit, and in that time, they did too. Enough to bring child number two into the world. I tell you, Luce, the moment I learnt she'd be coming I was enamoured. Could you imagine? A whole entire younger sibling! I was very excited. Never would've guessed it. Anyway, she came around, and she was a handful. Boundless amounts of energy; Mom and Dad were exhausted by dinner time. A bit out of practise, and older than they were when they had had me. So, I took the night shift for them. They could rest in the evenings and I'd happily drag Jacqueline all over the globe until she passed out from sheer exhaustion. The fun we had! The things we saw! She was a fast learner and was just as enamoured with me as I was with her. And I loved the attention. Here was someone who just unconditionally loved me! Didn't judge me for the things I did, you know, that sort of thing. She made me want to be better; want to thaw. And when I learnt that it was impossible—"

"More like improbable! They didn't know about magical hugs," Lucy sounded smug.

Jack laughed. "Apparently not! Unfortunately this amazing medical discovery wouldn't be made for another fourteen hundred years. So, once I learnt that it couldn't be done, it all went downhill. I thought, you know, if I couldn't thaw, I never would. And I got worse. She became afraid of me. And then my shenanigans ramped up! It all came to a head when I nearly killed Santa. My parents and I got into a fight."

Lucy gave his arm a comforting pat. "Sometimes families fight. Lately my Mom and I have been having a bit of a fight about phones. I really want one, but she thinks I'm too young! But all my friends have them, and they come in pink, Jack! Pink! And you can put little charms on them and—well, anyway, we argue about it, but we make up in the end."

"A phone is nothing compared to nearly killing an entire Santa. And when you're young, and in control of an entire season…"

"Sometimes you lose control?"

Jack nodded. "Yep. Exactly. And that's what happened the night I left. I lost control, and I left. I hurt my parents in the process…and Jacqueline."

"What happened?"

"Santa wasn't the only person I nearly killed that day."

Lucy gasped.

"Passed out when I got home, after that. For about a month. Didn't bother to check in until then. She survived, but I couldn't face what I had done. I didn't contact them at all. Not for fourteen hundred years," Jack said, as they looped around the stanchions to the second portion of the line.

"And then not when you thawed?!"

"I had no idea where to start! Who to start with, what to do or even say…and when the powers went, I had no other options. They had to call in Jacqueline."

"Why Jacqueline? Why not Mother Nature? Or your mom, Winter?"

"Well, your Uncle Scott has his silly little Clauses. Us Legendary Figures have a little thing called the Legate Law. We all have a second-in-command, known as our Legate, who will take over our title if anything happens to us, if we're unable to do our duties, or when and if we decide to retire. That's my sister's job. She's next in line."

"Oh! That makes sense. A lot more sense than the clause."

"Right? That's what I've been saying!" Jack said, hands up in the air (nearly grazing the ceiling). "So, Jacqueline came, and we reunited, and got to work. And then we went home for a spell. And being home? I was getting closer and closer to being able to use my powers again with each passing day! If we had had a little more time!" he sighed, balling his hands into fists. "Now I think we're out of time," he admitted, as they turned the corner stanchion into the last section of line. "I think we have to fully pass on the title."

"Wait, you didn't before?"

"Nah. We semi-enacted it. It worked at the time! But now, I think we're a little too far along with the Deliquesce for two halves of a whole Jack Frost to fix it."

"And you're sad because you have to give up your title?"

"A bit, yes. But not just because of that. I'm sad it had to come to this, you know? It feels like we've lost. And Jacqueline doesn't seem too keen on the idea. I can hardly blame her. I know she feels the same as I do. It wouldn't be permanent, of course! We could switch back whenever. There isn't anything that says we couldn't, after all. I don't want to pressure her to do it, or, y'know, make it a Legendary request and force it—"

"You guys can do that?"

Jack nodded. "From the most mundane thing to the biggest, most complex thing you could imagine! If it's a Legendary request, Legates do their best to meet it. It goes either way, but I don't think she knows that and quite frankly, I'd rather we keep it that way," he winked, whispering the last bit.

"Oh, Jack. You're very silly."

"I couldn't imagine not being a little bit silly. Sounds absolutely boring."

Lucy laughed, the pair finally reaching the front of the line. "I think so, too!"

"Mister Frost! You're back?!"

Jack blinked, the briefest bit startled. He squinted at the young elf behind the cash. "Kasper, was it?"

"Yes!" Kasper squeaked, looking nervous. "Sorry! Hi! I didn't know you'd returned. You look better."

"I feel better," Jack admitted. "My sister and I uh, just got in today. Headed right up to the Dome. Duty calls, and such," he said, ignoring the elves nearby that giggled at the word, and side-eyeing Lucy when she joined the giggle train.

"Well! What can I get you guys?" Kasper asked.

"Want anything Lucy?"

"Yes please!"

Giving Kasper their orders, the pair made their way off to the side to await their warm drinks and tasty treats. Jack appreciated the quiet moment…for the whole five seconds it lasted before Lucy piped up again.

"You don't think that's the only reason your sister doesn't wanna take the title fully, do you?"

Jack shrugged. "I'm sure she has a lot of other reasons. I mean, she hasn't had the easiest time, thanks to yours truly. I'll be the first to admit that any day. It's a large shadow to be stuck behind. And given the month we've had, I can see why she's reluctant to do so. She has her reasons; she was having a hard time articulating them before I left. And there's…other things that I think may be playing a bigger role, come to think of it."

"Like what?"

"Well, she was having a bit of a time before we headed out earlier this month," Jack began, unsure how to continue. "Something weird was happening. She called them blackouts; she couldn't remember experiencing them. But when they were happening, she was…"

"Lashing out irrationally?"

Jack snorted. "You could say that, yeah. But I think there's a bit more to it than that. It being the blackouts of course. And I don't think that's the only thing stopping her."

"What else do you think there is?" Lucy said, ever perceptive.

"She recently held our title for a brief period. A blink of an eye, if you ask any of the elves. But for both of us, it was just shy of a decade and a half. It…wasn't a great experience for either of us."

"What do you mean?"

"Order up!" Kasper said, popping up at the counter. Saved by the elf, Jack reached over, happily taking the food from the weirdly sweaty fae. "Your wrap! Lucy's croissant, and the doughnut!" He passed them over the counter, Jack handing Lucy her croissant and the doughnut as he unwrapped his wrap. "I'll have the drinks done up in a jiffy!"

He scurried to the back, Jack watching as he disappeared behind the kitchen doors.

"He seems…jittery. Mom would probably call him frazzled."

"I don't know what's gotten into him," said a blonde elf, passing Lucy her drink over the counter top. She wore a faded green dress with a white apron, a name tag on her chest reading 'Lena'. Specially appointed by Abby, Lena oversaw the Grille herself. After all, Abby couldn't always be down there helping out; not when she was needed all over the North Pole alongside Judy.

"He's not usually like that?" Jack asked, as Lucy grabbed her hot mug, thanking Lena quietly.

"Not normally. He can be jumpy at times; he's been tossed just about all over the Workshop to find a place that works for him. He's not usually this bad, but since his sister disappeared, he's been getting worse, the poor dear."

"His sister disappeared?" Lucy asked, shocked.

"Oh yeah! Sometime in March. It was a big hullabaloo; elves don't just go missing, after all. They searched high and low, but found no trace of her. ELFS has been working on it nonstop; why, just a fortnight ago Santa himself was down at the station looking for an update. But there wasn't one. It's a cold case, and it seems it's getting colder."

The kitchen doors opened with a thunk, Kasper rushing out with the last two drinks. "Here you go, Jack! Your cocoacinno, and an extra tall hot cocoa with a spike of something sweet and caffeine-y," he said, shaking as he handed over the cups. "I hope the cocoacinno is good. I've been trying my best to perfect it, but nobody does it the way you do," he smiled weakly, wringing his hands together.

Jack smirked. "Well, we can't all be as talented as the great and powerful Jack Frost! Herald of the winter season! Drink maker extraordinaire—ow, hey!" he cut out abruptly, rubbing the arm Lucy had elbowed.

She laughed. "C'mon Jack, let's head out. Thanks Lena! Thanks Kasper! Have a great day!"

"You too, dear," Lena said, waving them out. She glanced at her side, startled to see that Kasper had already disappeared. "From the both of us!"

---

Crouching in the kitchen behind the dishwasher, Kasper was trying his very best to resist the urge to vomit all over the place. Not because of the smell (though that was a contributing factor that came with the territory of an industrial dishwasher), no.

It was because of what he had just done.

Hands shaking, he wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. Reaching into his vest he pulled out not one, but two empty vials.

He retched.

He shouldn't be doing this; he shouldn't!

But Polly...

He couldn't bear to see his sister get hurt.

And if you keep this up, a whole other brother is going to see his sister get hurt…

What could he do? Who could he tell? Nobody! The Man would know. He would know, and he would hurt her—

I'll be okay, she had said. You need to tell someone.

She'd promised she'd be fine. But how did she know? How could she be so sure she'd be okay? Kasper was out here doing everything he could to keep her safe and still had no guarantee she'd be fine. She had sounded so sure; but Kasper didn't feel so sure about it at all.

He didn't feel sure about anything anymore.

Because that's what it was, deep, deep down. He was so uncertain about everything. Yes, what he was doing was wrong. But was it wrong to want to keep your loved ones safe? By any means necessary? Even if your only option is wrong?

He sighed. Frustrated.

What else could he do?

He was just as trapped as Polly was.

Taking a deep breath and very nearly dry heaving, Kasper slid the vials back into his pocket. He left the kitchen, dragging himself back into the lunch rush feeling very truly awful, right down to his core.

---

"And everyone just forgot it?"

"Yep."

"A whole entire alternate universe? Like that?!"

"Oh yeah! Happens more often than you'd think. There are at least two that I know about in recent years. Imagine the ones I don't remember! Or the ones Father Time knows about!"

"But you and Jacqueline remembered. And my Uncle Scott."

"Well, he only remembers what he saw. He didn't live through the timeline; he was flung through it to the place he would've been, had he not taken the jacket. Jacqueline and I, though, we lived through it, so we remember all of it. At least, I do. But, given the Legate-Legend connection and her…hesitance when it comes up, I'm fairly certain she remembers it in full, too. It was a bad time." Jack sighed, stopping by the Workshop doors.

"You regret it."

"More than anyone will ever know. It was nasty! Ugly! Just downright awful. For both of us, but doubly so for her, I'd bet."

"Well it's no wonder she doesn't want to talk about it then. And no wonder she's not really for the idea of fully taking over! Last time she did would've been in that timeline, right? And if it was that bad, then she's probably associating her run as Jack Frost with it."

"Bingo." Jack sighed, looking down at the lid on her cup.

"My Dad says it can take a lot of positive experiences to make up for a single negative one. I think if you show her a little bit of kindness and understanding, and let her go at her own pace, you guys will figure it out. She just needs a bit of time! And I know you guys don't have a lot of it, I get it," she said, the way only a sassy teenager could. "But I think you need to be kind to yourselves, too, and just let yourself have it anyway!"

Jack smiled. "Thanks, Luce."

"You're welcome! You guys got this." She sounded way more confident than Jack felt. "I can even like, mediate if you want!"

"Where were you when she was chucking snowballs at my head last month?" Jack laughed. "Nah, I think we're past the need for a mediator, but ah, thanks, Luce."

"You're welcome!"

"Anyway! I should get this to Jacqueline before it gets cold. Blaise isn't around to heat it up if it does. Thanks for the chat, Lucy. It was…nice."

"I enjoyed it too." She paused, her head tilted. "Is it okay if I hug you again?"

"Sure." The doughnut and the drink tray clutched in his hands swung up in a nick of time as Lucy immediately crushed him with one of those weirdly warm hugs of hers. Jack chuckled, giving her a quick squeeze back, the doughnut bag crinkling in his hand, tray hovering just above her head.

"Thanks Jack," she said, breaking out of the hug and dashing towards the stairs. "See you later, okay? Tell your sister I said hi!"

"I will!" Jack shouted back as she reached the top of the stairs. "I'll bring her by later to say hello, even!"

Lucy squealed in delight. "That'd be WICKED." Flinging open the Workshop door, she turned, gave him one last happy wave and rushed in, the door closing gently behind her.

Jack smiled. "Good kid," he said to himself, turning to his right and heading back up to the Dome.

---

Jack crested the hill humming, notes dying on his lips when he saw Jacqueline.

She was perched neatly on a little icy bench, almost right up against the Dome. She was looking down, hands clasped together in her lap, sniffling.

"Oh, hey now," Jack said softly, closing the distance fairly fast.

Jacqueline looked up, startled; she sniffed again, wiping her eyes with the base of her palms. "Oh, uh, hey."

She slid to the side, Jack sitting down beside her and passing her the bag. "I got your favourite." He watched as she pulled the most chocolatey doughnut you ever did see out of the bag. "At least, I think it's still your favourite."

She cracked a smile, sniffling again. "It is. Thanks, Jack."

"Of course. And here, a little pick me up." Angling himself towards her, he handed her the tray. "It's that one," he pointed to the square closest to her. "Hopefully it's not too cold."

Pulling the cup out of the tray, she plucked open the slit in the lid. Steam wafted out of it. "It's still hot. The cups are probably enchanted or something. You know how the elves up here are." She took a sip, perking up immediately. "Oh, holy sleet! That's sweet."

"Good thing?"

"Mm, yeah, definitely." She bit into the doughnut, a good chunk of it disappearing. "Thanks, Jack."

"You're welcome."

Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his thighs, clasping his hands together as he surveyed their surroundings. Evergreen trees blew in the wind, the pine needles rustling against each other. The ones by the Dome were a little shorter than the ones out in the ruins; they grew on rocky levels all the way up, clearing as you approached the Dome line, paths running along the ridges. A few snowflakes floated above the tops, the chill colder than it should be.

"I—"

"So—"

Both sprites stopped, staring at one another. Jacqueline giggled; Jack chuckled.

"You first, little flurry."

"No no no, you go first. I've still got drink to finish," she said, giving her cup a wiggle.

Jack sighed. Sliding back, he dropped his elbows, palms flat on his legs. "Look. I, uh, I know I kind of sprung the idea from earlier on you out of nowhere," he said, fingers drumming his knees. "I just want you to know, we don't have to do it right away, you know. Doesn't have to be right now; we can wait."

"I dunno, Jack. I tried fixing things again while you were out, and. Well. It got even worse. I'm not sure we have the time."

"We don't," Jack agreed. "But we need it. You need it." He took a deep breath in, looking anywhere but at her. "Look, you don't need to talk about it right now; we don't need to discuss anything about it if you don't want to. That's fine. But I had a very good conversation while I was getting us food—"

"I'll say. You were gone for like, forty-five minutes!"

"You wouldn't BELIEVE the line up. Not to mention the WAIT! I guess it was pick me up time for everyone," Jack shrugged. "I ran into Lucy. She says hi, by the way."

"Oh! That's sweet. I'll have to find her later to say hello back, and, y'know, properly introduce myself. Everyone speaks highly of her."

"It's well deserved," Jack said. "Anyway, we had a nice chat, and I just wanted to say—and keep in mind, you don't need to confirm or deny anything," he turned back to her. She tilted her head, curious. "But I want you to know. I understand your hesitance. I know it's hard to talk about. Your last run with the title wasn't exactly the most positive experience."

Jacqueline scoffed. "I'll say. Frostbitten SUCKED," she grumbled, polishing off her drink.

"I know. Given how it went last time, I understand why you wouldn't want to resort to that as a final solution right away. Especially given these circumstances," he added, looking up.

The Dome was shiny, but not because of the lights. They were dim; barely dancing. It was shiny because it was wet. The magic was racing hot through the Dome, the icy walls melting in a particularly runny mess.

"It's just as bad, if not worse." Elbow on her knee, she looked up, head resting on her palm. Her eyebrows drew together; she tensed. "It is worse, actually! This would've been easily avoidable if you'd just come clean EARLIER! But you DIDN'T!"

The last few words she spoke bordered into shout territory.

Jacqueline gasped; she leaned back, blinking in surprise. Jack did much the same, taken aback at the sudden anger.

A fractal of worry stirred to life in his chest.

"There's no need to shout, you know. I'm right in front of you."

"I know, I'm sorry, I have no idea where that came from."

"It's okay. Just take a breather, alright? We have time."

"But that's the thing, Jack. We don't. We don't have time, because you wasted a bunch of it already this year!" her eyes flashed, the confusion replaced with anger so fast it nearly gave Jack whiplash.

She gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. Her empty cup tumbled onto the bench, rolling back and forth between them before dropping right off the seat and landing on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked, grabbing her shoulders.

She shook her head. "I think it's happening again. I can't—we just have no time and this is such a mess and I feel so helpless but also really, really angry and all I can think about is how we could've—YOU could've avoided this—" she snapped her jaw shut, looking annoyed. She could feel her heart racing; the anger bubbling up.

"Okay, it's okay! Look at me, Jacqueline," Jack pushed her chin up with a finger. She looked furious; angry tears were starting to pool. She shut her eyes tight, trying to push them back.

"No. No, I am NOT going to let this HAPPEN again!"

"You won't! We won't. I won't. I'm right here, alright? Let's see if we can out talk the thoughts, yeah?"

"NO! I am done talking. I came here to do a job, and I am going to do it. I'm tired of letting this, this thing mess around!" Swatting away Jack's hand, she opened her eyes. She looked so determined it was borderline scary. "It's time for whatever this is to find out just who it's dealing with. I'm going in."

"In?"

"To my mindscape. I'm gonna find out what this is, or who this is, and stop it. I have had eNOUGH!"

"Are you sure you want to do this? What if they take over?"

"Then I need you to stop me. Whatever it takes. Stop me."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"That's a bold face lie if there ever was one—GAH! NO! OKAY! Jack, it's now or never, I am going in there and I need to know that you'll please just do this one thing for me, okay? You'll find that it is very hard to hurt me. I've survived some nasty sleet, you know, including being stabbed thrice," she winked, with a devious little smirk to match.

"Too soon," Jack said, eyebrows drawn.

"I'm just saying! I'm tough stuff. I've survived worse."

"Alright. I'll make sure nothing happens to you. I'll keep you safe; I promise. Whatever it takes."

She looked relieved. "Thank you," she grabbed his shoulders back and squeezed. "I'm going in."

"Keep me in the loop. Please."

"I'll try my darnedest." Dropping her arms, Jacqueline took a deep breath in. Eyes downcast she zoned out, relaxing in place. Gently, Jack leaned her against the back of the seat, only letting go when he was sure she was stable.

His stomach lurched. A whole host of butterflies tried to climb their way out of it as Jack waited beside her anxiously, the pricking of his core lost in the fluttering of their wings.

---

It was dark.

This was very unlike her mindscape.

Usually, it was bright and snowy, with beautifully tiled floors reminiscent of her Victorian home, the windows from her bedroom at Frost Manor stretching across the walls, and sunlight filtering in through a constant flurry. The walls sparkled like freshly fallen snow, cozy rugs thrown about, chairs and couches and poofs covered in quilts and blankets scattered messily around the space with a surprising amount of warm pastels popping up amongst the wintry palette.

But today it was dark. She could barely make out the sunshine as shadows shifted all over her mindscape, the tiled floors cloudy below her.

Taking a steadying breath, she pressed forward.

The cloudiness on the floor was…viscous. Goopy. It slouched around her boots, making it hard for her to press forward at times. But press forward she did.

Something was not right.

A blob came at her suddenly in the darkness, hitting her chest. A thought furled to life.

I wouldn't be surprised if he had done this on purpose, her voice hissed.

"He is literally powerless!" she shouted at herself, holding her chest. "He couldn't have done this on purpose even if he wanted to! You know that! We know that!"

A dark chuckle rang out.

Not her voice.

"Alright, who's there?" she shouted, whipping about.

Jacqueline? Are you okay?

Muffled, coming from somewhere outside now.

Jack.

That shouldn't be muffled, though.

Why was he muffled?

"Jack!" she whipped about, frantic, searching for their connection. It was a third sweep when she finally saw it. Shrouded in darkness, something was crawling all over it. The dark blue thread was blinking out, slowly being obscured by dark globs.

"NO!"

She burst into a run, cutting through the goop ferociously and slamming into the substance barricading their connection. It was pretty solid, for goop. Except for where it crept up. She threw her hands above the tendrils of goop, grabbing them as they doubled and tripled and curled around each other, thickening, rushing up and up while she tried fruitlessly to pull them back down.

For every goopy vine she flung behind her, two more came up, and then three, and then four, and it was so much and so viscous and so gross! Her attempts to pull apart the wall were doing nothing. It was growing way too fast for her to keep up with.

"There's goop!" she shouted, staring right at the glowing thread as it disappeared, almost completely covered. "It's blocking our connection! I can't—"

The last sparkle blipped out, the goop taking over.

"NO!" Her fist pounded on the goopy wall. It sunk in. "Eugh," she grimaced, pulling it out and whipping the goop off. It dripped to the floor, landing with a sickening glomp.

She stepped back, hands out in front of her. It was getting harder to move. The blobs were flying at her now, hitting her with enough force to throw her back and sticking to her, each one a dark thought she had tried very hard to lock away.

"No, no, no, stop it! Stop it! I don't want to—GAH!"

Jacqueline!

Muffled. Outside. Jack.

Such a bother, that one a voice rang out.

Curt. Sharp. Inside. Familiar, but not. Too cold to really be familiar.

Pulling a blob off of her neck and tossing it on the floor, she stepped forward. "Who's there?"

Jacqueline! Careful!

"Jack?" she twirled around, the goop sticking to the hem of her dress.

Stay with me!

"I'm trying," she said, quietly, as more globs hit her.

Why bother? The dark voice asked.

It was curt and cold and giving her the heebie-jeebies like you wouldn't believe. She shivered, stepping back as things slithered past her in the darkness. No, not things. Thoughts. Her thoughts. Her deepest, most angry thoughts.

With all he's put you through, why try for him?

Jacqueline whipped around, eyes darting about madly. A thought hit the back of her knees. She fell to her shins.

Why help him? Why should I? Her own voice asked.

"Because—because—it's the right thing to do…" she trailed off, another blob hitting her in the small of her back. The impact pushed her forward. Hands flying out, she caught herself before her face hit the ground, goop bubbling below her hands.

But I don't have to do it, she heard herself think. No…she thought. She was thinking it. I could just leave. Refuse to help. Why do I always get dragged into his shenanigans? It's not FAIR!

Jacqueline grunted, her arms giving out and rewarding her with a face full of goop. Turning her head to the side, she coughed, spluttering, the goop…colourful up close?

So much potential. So much anger, said that unfamiliar voice. Give in to it. Use it. It can give you so much power…the power to fix this mess…to stop your troublesome brother once and for all.

She reached out, bringing the goop up close. It sparkled and shimmered, gold flecks in the green. She stared at it, watching the flecks sparkle as she tilted her hand back and forth.

We both know you can do it better. I can see it clearly, right here in your thoughts, your memories! You know you can, the cold voice said with a dark chuckle. You have.

In her hand, the goop began to shrink, faster and faster. Jacqueline looked under her hand, hoping to see it falling through her fingers.

It wasn't.

I can fix it myself, she thought.

It was disappearing on her palm. No. Into her palm. She was, somehow, absorbing it (GROSS).

Yes…that's it…tap into it; use it! Unleash your wrath! Give in to the power! Allow me to offer you a hand…

It hit her all at once.

It burnt.

It hurt.

She shot up, staggering back. Goop twirled up, the toxic thoughts still clinging to her, wrapping themselves around her arms, her legs. She threw her head back, inhaled, and screamed as the goop pulled her down and power coursed through her.

---

Their connection was blocked.

Jack had reached out to grab her the moment she mentioned goop. He had been holding on to her shoulders tightly, trying to get through to her, trying to think and speak louder than the thoughts she was voicing.

The bench below them began to crack. It started underneath Jacqueline, creeping forward with alarming regularity until it hit Jack.

He jumped off the seat, not wanting to veer too far from Jacqueline.

She did the same. She leapt out of the seat like it was on fire, hugging her midsection tightly.

Their connection was blocked. He couldn't hear her; he couldn't get through to her at all in the mindscape.

"Jacqueline? Are you okay?"

She screamed, snow billowing out in a wave below her. Sticking out a hand, Jack broke the wave, splitting the snow around him as Jacqueline straightened up, breathing heavily.

"Get…help," she choked out, before slumping back over again. Tiny little icy stalagmites were sprouting up around her.

"What, and just leave you to deal with this on your own?" Jack said, gesturing towards her. "Yeah, I don't think so! I'm not leaving you."

Jacqueline chuckled. "That's a funny thing for you to say, given that…" she winced, gritting her teeth for the briefest of seconds, trying so hard to cut herself off. "…given that…you…" Her hands fell to her sides, glowing, magic cracking all along her arms, her palms, her fingertips. She glowered, face flushed in anger. "…you already DID!"

The shout echoed. It reverberated off the Dome walls, birds fluttering out of the trees. Jack stepped back a few paces, a whumping sound tickling his ears with each step back he took. He blanched, glancing up.

Behind her, a fluffy white cloud began to take shape up in the treeline, obscuring the very top of the ridges lined with their neat little trees. The ground split, cracks seeping out from the ridges, racing down past Jacqueline and past him, splintering off into several smaller cracks as it went.

He had seconds to try and head it off.

And if he failed, they'd have fifteen minutes or less before any casualties became fatalities.

The snow tumbled down behind Jacqueline, trees snapping, the cloud of powdery snow growing larger and larger. She brought her hands forward, balling them into fists. Below her, there were several cracks. Shoals of snow snapped up, a square slab of snow popping out of the ground.

"Run," she said, darkly.

The briefest of beats passed by, Jack frozen in place as he assessed the scene.

Incoming avalanche. The Workshop and town nearby. Jacqueline stiff in front of him, the ground cracking around her. The far-off rumble, fast approaching. He took a step forward.

"RUN!" she repeated, with a bit more urgency and a softer current.

Decision made, Jack whipped a finger up in the air. "Fabulous idea, Jacqueline."

Turning sharply on his heel, Jack shot forward, feeling out the snow beneath him. The speed, the sturdiness, the density; hands glowing, the snow below him rumbled, propping him up. With a grin, he sliced his hands through the air behind him, using the speed and momentum of the avalanche to bring up his own slab of snow, racing down the hills.

Snow shot up behind him, ice pellets spraying as he zig zagged down towards the town, casting his eyes back every so often. It had been a long time since he surfed an avalanche, but if he had timed everything right (and he knew he had, he was Jack frostbitten Frost for a reason, after all), he'd have just enough time to clear the square and divert the snow.

Assuming the Dome would let him, he thought with a frown, quickly glancing up.

Unsure if the cracking was from the avalanche or the Dome, Jack landed in the square, a sharp turn stopping his snowy descent. The snow spiralled out behind him, powder flying as he anchored himself to the ground, staring down the fast-approaching cloud of white with a quiet, focused, determination.

"Hey Jack!" said a familiar voice behind him, footsteps fast approaching. "Everything oka—AYE! Is that what I think it is?!"

"Yes," Jack said, quietly. "It'd be in your best interest to get everyone inside as quickly and quietly as possible, Curtis, if you wouldn't mind—"

"AVALANCHE!" The elf yelled, pointing up at the cloud of snow heading down towards them.

"NOT screaming," Jack finished with a snap.

"How ELSE do you expect everyone to get to safety in time?!" Curtis asked, as elves began to take notice and run into the nearest buildings.

Thankfully, the square was fairly flat. The angles just weren't conducive to an avalanche, nor was the amount of snow in the square. It was unlikely that Curtis's cry had made things worse, Jack realized, relieved.

"Come on, everyone in! Please refrain from panicking until you are safely indoors, and keep the doors clear to make sure everyone gets in safely and has their turn to panic!" Curtis shouted, waving everyone in. Shopkeepers and city workers threw open their doors, elves rushing into whatever building was closest as powdered snow began to drift into the square.

"That's everyone?!"

"Yeah, just about! What the heck is going on?"

"Ah—"

"Silver bells! Is that Jacqueline?!"

Up in the hills, the slab of snow that held Jacqueline came to a stop. Her arms were bent at the elbow, palms pulled towards her, a look of intense concentration on her face. The avalanche was, oddly enough, slowing down. The cracks reduced, though the ground was still rumbling.

She's still fighting, Jack realized.

"It's her all right," Jack said. "Get inside, let Santa know what's happening. I'm going to try to talk her down."

"You're going to do what now?"

"Talk to her."

Curtis looked at Jack. Then up at Jacqueline, winds whipping around her, snow billowing about, avalanche at her feet. Then back at Jack.

"Well, it was nice knowing you, Jack," Curtis said, rushing inside. "I'll let Santa know! We'll make sure your sacrifice isn't in vain!"

"Thanks for that vote of confidence!" Jack shouted after the elf, the doors slamming shut behind him.

The moment the door slammed shut, Jacqueline flipped her palms. Arms out in front of her now, the snow rushed down the slopes, tumbling right into the square at an alarming rate.

Steadying himself once more, Jack thrust his hands forward right as the snow burst into town square. It stopped at his command, shooting up instead of plowing through town (and taking him with it). The snow rippled above him; it stacked on itself, a standing wave of snow, growing higher and higher.

With a grunt, he pushed his hands apart, the snow spreading out above him, crashing onto itself as it shifted, nearly blotting out the Dome. Moving his hands above his head, Jack carefully turned on the spot, keeping the avalanche behind him until he was facing the rest of the square.

He reeled back, then thrust his arms forward, keeping his hands above his head.

The snow listened.

It followed his command, sailing over the rooftops and chimneys, the whooshing loud. Jack guided it carefully to the empty plots behind the various little buildings, artificial sunlight filtering through the snow and casting fast moving little pinpricks of light all over the ground.

With a final whoosh, the last bit of snow settled behind the buildings as Jacqueline slid to a stop at the base of the trail up to the outskirts. Beneath her, the snow crunched, the last little bit of it rolling to a stop on either side of her.

Her fists were at her side. She looked pissed. The wind blew, her hair whipping out behind her, a couple of tendrils getting caught on her nose.

"Funny how when you did finally come back, it was because of that," she said, thrusting her hand high above her head. "And funnier still," the snow froze under her feet as she stepped forward, little stalagmites popping out of the ground with each step, "that the only reason we are here right now is because you can't fix it." She hissed, coming closer and closer with each pointy ice ridden step. "See, I'M inclined to think that just maybe this was your plan ALL ALONG!"

Her right arm reared back before flying forward, the ice below her flying right towards Jack, cutting through the air with a high pitched shink.

Fast as always, Jack's arm shot up. Below him, the snow jumped at his command, a sheet coming up just in time to absorb Jacqueline's blast. A low thrum from above; a sudden searing pain in his side. Choking back a hiss, he moved his hand down to the offending area, clutching it tightly.

"Why would I go through the trouble of something as elaborate as this knowing full well the pain that'd come along with it?"

"To shove yet another one of your responsibilities that you can't be bothered to do on ME!" Jacqueline yelled in reply, her left arm flying forward now, launching the second set of icy projectiles.

Jack stepped back, turning sharply to the side as they whizzed by him, landing with a ping into the snow behind him.

"That is a fair point! Dome duty is the worst. But I wouldn't throw it your way just because it's not one of the more glamorous parts of the job! The only time I'd ever do it is if I had no other choice. And I don't! You know that, Jacqueline! We just talked about it!" Jack said, exasperated.

Jacqueline looked perplexed for a moment. Her shoulders very briefly sagged. "I…"

Jack took a tentative step forward.

"GAH! NO!" Jacqueline yelled. "I DON'T know! How could I know? You've been gone for so." A snowball flew through the air, rushing towards Jack. "LONG," she continued, yet another snowball headed his way, "…and the ENTIRE TIME you were always plotting (whoosh) and scheming (whoosh) and shenanigan-ing—"

"That's not a word!" Jack yelled, deflecting the three snowballs headed his way with ease.

"It is to ME!" Jacqueline yelled back. She growled, lifting her hands high above her head. The snow that had settled beside her rumbled, exploding high on either side of her with a vengeance. It solidified, shifting from snow to two humongous blocks of ice.

"Please don't," Jack said, blanching.

"I…do…what I…WANT! HIYA," she shouted, throwing the chunks towards him.

Jack darted forward, running right at the chunks. He slid under the first one. It flew off towards the Workshop, Jack ignoring the crunch and crumble that followed.

The second one came at him lower. Pulling on the winds, he jumped clean over it. It sailed in the same direction, a little more to the left. It hit one of the exterior walls with a metal crunch and a sudden influx of zapping.

Hitting the ground, Jack stuck out a hand to slide to a stop, glancing over at the Workshop. The first chunk was embedded in the stairs, the stone steps crumbling at the impact point. The second chunk had hit an exterior fuse box. Sparks flew, drifting down the icy chunk and turning to smoke in the snow as the box blew, the lights behind the stained-glass windows of the Workshop going out.

Jack blinked. "Wow." Impressed, he glanced over at his sister.

Her magic crackled between her fingers. Her hair blew back as the northern wind Jack had summoned drifted through the courtyard. Breath heavy, she looked down at her hands, appalled.

"It's okay!" Jack straightened up, turning to face her. "It's not on fire! You didn't hurt anyone!"

For a split second, she looked relieved.

It did not last.

"What a shame," she hissed. "I wish it had! Do you know how mortifying it is to know that you'd rather have a frostbitten building over us? You left us, left me, because of that stupid place!" she said, jabbing a finger accusingly at both him and the Workshop. "I wish I HAD set it on fire!"

"No you don't!" Jack said, raising his hands in front of him non-threateningly. "You don't mean that, Jacqueline! Your friends are in there! Bernard, and Ellington. Carol! Santa! Buddy! You don't want to hurt them."

"You don't know WHAT I want to do! How could you?! You were gone for so long, and a month and a half isn't going to make you a bona fide Jacqueline expert. Why shouldn't I hurt them? It's not like they haven't hurt me before! I almost lost Elle because of YOU," she said, hands glowing dangerously once again. "You and your stupid rep that I constantly have to DEAL WITH!"

With a roar, she pushed her hands forward. The snow that Jack had so expertly diverted tumbled back into the square, rumbling threateningly beneath Jacqueline's feet. Her fists were clenched so hard, Jack could see veins bulging. Her jaw was set; her eyes were closed.

He took a careful step forward. "Jacqueline," he tried, calmly. Another step when she didn't throw snow at him. "I know you're in there! I know you've had to deal with…a lot. It's a large shadow; I know. I'm sorry. I never wanted…this isn't how things should've gone! You shouldn't have had to deal with all of it! What I do shouldn't have any sway on your reputation."

"But it DOES!" she snapped, whooshing her hands forward.

The snow hit Jack full force, pushing him back towards the Workshop doors. Putting up a hand to protect his eyes, he glanced around the billowing white snow, trying to gain a foothold, a handhold, anything before he—Ah. Ouch. Too late.

Pain exploded all over his shoulders as he slammed into the door, the latch jammed right in the small of his back. He groaned, one hand still blocking the snow that just. Kept. Coming.

Pushing through the pain, he flung his free arm back, the palm of his hand hitting the glass pane of the door. If he could just push off the door, against the force of the snow and get the knob out of his back, he could find his footing and…

"There we go," Jack said, relieved as the pressure in his back alleviated, feet landing on solid ground. Taking a deep breath in, he pressed his palms together and thrust them forward.

The snowy tunnel broke apart, clearing his line of sight. Jacqueline stood twenty or so feet away from him, sturdy, her glowing hands the source of the snow rushing towards him. With one last grunt, he flung his hands apart. The snow exploded out from him, hitting the steps on either side. He took control, ignoring the pin pricks of pain that ran along his arms as he pushed the snow all the way back to its source.

Jacqueline slid back. Almost losing her balance, she dropped her hands to her sides, steadying herself. The snow came to a stop, falling beside her as she righted herself, the hem of her dress swaying briefly.

"Jacqueline, please," he tried again. "Don't do this. Don't stoop to my level."

That ignited a furry in her like no other. With a scream of rage, she ran forward, the snow rumbling behind her and lifting at her command, rushing towards him.

Jack braced for impact, hands weakly going up to try to stop the snow once more.

But before he could so much as touch the stuff, the doors opened behind him, a pair of sturdy arms pulling him in.

"I gotchya, Jack!"

"Santa?"

The Legend had pulled Jack in like it was nothing, throwing him into the Workshop.

"Elves! Sleds at the ready!" Bernard commanded. He stood with Elle and Lucy on either side of him, the three of them holding long, plastic sleds. Around them, a group of elves had their own sleds in hand. On Bernard's command, the colourful plastics flew up, bottoms facing forward, the insides covering them like shields.

Jacqueline rushed towards the open doors, the snow below her propelling her forward fast.

"NOW, DO IT NOW!" Jack shouted, righting himself and throwing Santa behind him.

"CHARGE!" Bernard shouted, and, with a yell, they moved forward, toboggans hitting Jacqueline's snowy burst just before it could push into the Workshop.

It was a good effort, Jack had to admit. But he could see the snow leaking through the cracks between the mismatched sleds, pooling around their feet. They were sliding back.

The phalanx of elves doubled up, moving closer and pushing forward harder. Elves without sleds piled up behind them, trying their best to reinforce the phalanx with their tiny little elven bodies.

Outside, Jack could hear the winds picking up. They wailed, pushing back on the sleds, the draft creeping in. Based on the noise alone, Jack guessed them to be anywhere between fifty and eighty kilometres an hour.

More than enough force to send plastic sleds flying.

"Those are wind warning winds," he said to Santa. "We need to clear them out of there before—"

With a plastic thunk, the winds broke through, the sleds flying, some elves flying with them. Snow spilled into the shop; lunging forward, Jack shot his hands out, the snow billowing in suddenly twirling down towards the ground, catching the elves as they fell back.

The pins and needles in his arms intensified. He found himself crumpling, doing his best to resist the pain, to stay standing until every single elf had landed safely. He only relinquished control once Bernard, Elle, and Lucy were safely in a snow pile, avoiding a direct hit with the Naughty and Nice Globe.

"Scatter?" Santa asked, as the powdery snow in the air began to clear.

Able to make out Jacqueline's silhouette through the squall as she walked into the shop, the winds still billowing behind her, Jack nodded. "Yeah. Scatter."

Santa inhaled, turning to the crowd of elves behind them.

"SCATTER!"

The elves clambered up, helping one another out of the snow, clearing the area. Bernard and Elle helped Lucy up, moving to the side as the winds began to pour into the Workshop, shaking the inactive conveyor belts. Plushies swayed back and forth; hats were nearly whipped off of heads, skirts and baggy pants wrapping tight around legs as Jacqueline stepped foot into the shop.

With a roar, she thrust her hands forward. The winds shifted, surging into the Workshop even more ferociously. Loose stuffing, nuts and bolts and screws, tiny paintbrushes and lighter, unsecured tools went flying. Elves grabbed onto each other, steadying themselves as they tried to clear the space, helping pull one another out from under the toboggans they had been using as shields. Ribbons soared through the air, catching on the gears of the immobile machinery.

Struggling through the pain, Jack managed to push himself back up. Willing the winds away from him, he pushed through them until he stood in front of the globe. Staring right at Jacqueline, Jack exhaled, concentrating on expanding his area of effect.

The bubble he had built around himself began to expand. It crept forward, the winds between he and his sister diverting until finally, it reached Jacqueline.

Her eyes snapped forward. She narrowed them, glaring at Jack as he willed the winds to listen to him. They began to slow. Jacqueline growled, her posture stiffening. The winds picked back up.

"Jacqueline," Jack warned, soft yet stern. "Look around. Look at what you're doing!"

Still crouched forward, hands still out, winds still rushing around them, Jacqueline glanced about.

"You're hurting them," Jack said, thinking carefully about his word choice. "I know you don't want to! Think of Bernard! And Elle!"

She cast her gaze over to her friends. They hadn't gone far. They were close by, both standing in front of Lucy, trying their best to shield her from the winds. Their eyes flicked wildly around at the objects being tossed about, both elves using their magic to shove the projectiles away from the elves as best as they could.

"I…I don't…" she closed her eyes shut. She wavered; the winds very briefly slowed. "No. No! I know exactly what you're doing!" she said, eyes opening once more. "Trying to convince me you know what I want! You have no IDEA—RAH!"

She whipped her open palms closer together. The winds followed.

The objects fell down, clattering onto the ground. Clothes settled; hair stopped blowing about, hats falling back down. The winds came back to her, and immediately hit Jack.

The blast of frigid cold wind launched him back, throwing him up into the air. He smacked into the globe of the Naughty and Nice centre with a metallic clang, his breathy exhale sounding a lot like an ouch. The winds kept hitting him, keeping him up against the globe, making it hard to breath.

"Jacqueline! No!"

Bernard had shouted, rushing forward. Jacqueline's concentration broke; she glared at the head elf now.

"You're hurting him!" Elle shouted, joining Bernard.

"He's your brother!" Lucy shouted from behind them. "You love him!"

Jacqueline faltered. Her face grew soft; she dropped her hands, the winds ceasing.

Jack fell from the globe. Exhausted, there was nothing he could do to soften his fall. He landed, barely managing to make sure his face was covered before he hit the ground.

"No! No, no, NO! I don't want this—" she stepped back, hands on her head. Frenzied, her eyes darted about, taking in the mess of objects all over the floor. The elves helping one another up and limping away.

Jack, crumpled on the floor.

She stood rigid; twitchy. She made to step forward, one hand glowing. Her other hand shot out, pulling it back as she stepped back, visibly fighting the urge to lunge at him, watching him intensely.

Slowly, painfully, Jack pushed himself up. Finally upright, he grimaced in pain, resting his palms on his knees. He looked at Jacqueline, her eyes full of concern.

"It's okay," he said, quietly.

"It's not okay," she replied, softly. Her face creased; she grimaced.

Her arms shot up, her face angry once more. Tears were streaking down her face. Her hands, high above her head, glowed. The wind swirled, spinning around her faster and faster, becoming visible as snow flew through the air, billowing above her. The snow grew, and grew, the wind spinning faster and faster. She clenched a single fist; the snow crunched, freezing into ice pellets as it twirled about above them all.

"STOP SAYING IT'S OKAY!" she yelled. "NONE of this is OKAY!"

She reared back, ready to unleash her little snowstorm.

With one deep, deep, breath, Jack steeled himself, pushing up onto his feet and sinking into a defensive stance, ready to redirect whatever attack Jacqueline threw his way next.

But before she could let go of it, a green blur smacked right into her, wrapping her up in a hug.

Jacqueline let out a little gasp, glancing at the head tucked into her shoulder.

Elle squeezed her tightly. "It's okay to be not okay."

Jacqueline's shoulders slumped. A fresh tear splashed down her cheek.

Another light impact, on her other side. Another set of arms. Tight curls tickling her cheek, velvet tickling her temple.

"We're here for you, kid," Bernard said, hugging her too. "We're not gonna let you hurt anyone. Just like we promised."

"And we're not going to hurt you either."

Jacqueline let out a little sob. Tension gone, she glanced around once more, still locked in the embrace of her two dear friends. She took in the damage. The snow all over the floor; the darkness throughout the shop. Ice chips littering the ground. Her eyes settled on her brother. Standing, but shaky. His face covered in scratches. His suit unbuttoned and all rumpled. He looked bad; he was hurt.

She had hurt him.

She whimpered. Closing her eyes tightly, another tear ran down her cheek as her eyebrows drew together. She growled, her face clouding with anger once more.

B?

Elle?

I'm not letting her go.

We made a promise, he thought back at her, reaching out to grab her hand. And we're keeping it.

Smiling to herself, still buried in Jacquie's shoulder, Elle met his hand halfway, giving it a tight squeeze. They both tensed, readying for whatever Jacqueline was about to do next.

With one last battle cry, Jacqueline turned in place, both elves surprised to find themselves still hugging her, completely unharmed. Curious, they both lifted their heads off of her shoulders.

Facing away from them all, Jacqueline unleashed her attack.

It flew off, towards the door and away from the Workshop. Away from Elle and Bernard and the other elves.

Away from her brother.

It shot forward, growing larger still. Jacqueline crumpled, sagging into the arms of her friends, watching the storm cloud carefully.

It grew wider, and wider, the walls by the door already beginning to collect a thick, icy white layer of frost. She tried to step forward, but couldn't; she was tired, so so tired, and the thoughts were still there. Still there, filling her with so much anger.

The realization came crashing down on her.

It wasn't going to make it out.

Desperately, Jacqueline looked behind her, trying to reach out to Jack—and nothing. Their connection was still blocked. All she could do was stare and think so, so loud, help me help me help me please.

The look of despair and helplessness hurt Jack more than any of the windy tumbles he'd taken from her this afternoon. She was hurting; she was weak. She needed him.

She needed his help.

And he'd do anything to keep her safe.

Adrenaline surging, Jack lunged forward, his hands glowing blue, the snow leaping at his command, pooling below his feet. Something inside him was pricking; he jumped, the snow pushing him forward. Soaring over Santa and Lucy and the elves, Jack cleared the trio, coming face to face with the quickly unravelling storm cloud.

The wind picked up at Jack's command, hitting the cloud and propelling it right out the door and well above the rooftops. And not a moment too soon. The cloud exploded, a light blue flash sending ice and snow scattering across the sky in all directions, winds whipping away from the centre and drifting out into the empty tundra beyond Elfsburg.

Satisfied, Jack stood down. The snow brought him down gently, swirling around him as his feet touched the floor. He whipped around, concern lining his features as he looked right at Jacqueline.

Arms around the shoulders of the two head elves, she sighed in relief, her legs giving out. She sunk down, Bernard and Elle gently sinking down with her.

"Thank you," she said, blinking slower and slower. "Both of you."

"Jacqueline!"

Jack rushed forward, coming to a stop in front of her.

With her last bit of energy, Jacqueline met his gaze. Behind him, snow started gently falling. She sunk lower, growing limp in the arms of the head elves.

"I'm sorry, Jack," she said, her eyes drifting shut as she finally let herself give in to the overwhelming exhaustion the moment the words left her mouth.

---

It was somehow both the fastest and slowest hour of Jack's life.

Everything seemed to stop as Jack sunk down, gently taking Jacqueline off of Bernard and Elle. The noise slowly faded out, Jack barely listening as the sounds became white noise.

There was shouting. (Santa and Lucy calling for help). There was a scramble of activity all around him. (A pair of medics rushing their way). The medical staff was fast.

But Jack was faster.

His hands were above her, glowing, before anyone could come near her. A blue haze settled around her, gently straightening her form and lifting her off of the ground.

Standing up carefully, Jack kept his hand out above her. "I've got it, Santa."

The crowd parted, Jack heading towards the Elfirmary, Jacqueline floating alongside him. He could almost hear the protests Jacqueline would have surely levelled at him, were she conscious, for once again Twin'ing her. He chuckled quietly to himself, low on energy as well.

"You're gonna be okay," he said, quietly, glancing down at her with concern. "I promise."

Jacqueline did not reply.

---

He carried her all the way to the Elfirmary just like that.

The room was full of medical staff, all three doctors on duty. They pointed to a free bed, swarming her the moment Jack placed her down, magic glow subsiding. Jack watched them closely, agreeing to let himself get checked out by one of the nurses only when they had finished with Jacqueline, leaving her to sleep it off, as Hismus explained.

Jack sat on a chair by her bed, letting them clean the cuts on his face. They patted his back gently, making sure nothing was broken. He was badly bruised, but they'd heal relatively fast. The cuts on his face were already subsiding, once the nursing staff worked their magic. Internally, everything sounded fine; Hismus had no reason to suspect any broken ribs or shifted muscles. Just a whole lot of bruises. Weirdly shaped too, come to think of it, Jack realized, thinking back to the doorknob pressed into his flesh.

He sighed, watching the comings and goings as they worked on him. The stinging on his face was nothing compared to the pains from the Dome. Presently it manifested as cramps he could not shake off, pain searing through his limbs every few minutes. He crossed his arms, holding onto himself tightly as he let the pain wash over him and pass, glad at least to assume that Jacqueline was spared from this present Dome afflicted pain in her current state.

He sighed.

Elves trickled in and out, getting their own once over from the Elfirmary team. Bernard and Elle both came in to get checked as well, Jack sending a little mental thanks Elle's way and nodding at Bernard thankfully.

Slowly but surely, Jack's own pains subsided, cramps disappearing in favour of the headache once again pounding at his temples.

Jacqueline remained still.

---

An hour later, the Elfirmary finally fell quiet.

Slumped in his chair, Jack sat exhausted, deep in thought.

It was…different this time; more evident that Jacqueline was fighting for control. But at the same time, painfully obvious that whatever was happening to her, whoever was targeting her, had the higher ground. Her words had…hurt. TBut that was the funny thing about the truth, some days. It hurt. He let out a deep, deep sigh, glancing over at Jacqueline.

Still out.

"That was one hell of a sigh."

"Oh, hey Santa," Making to sit upright, Jack uncrossed his legs, shifting in his seat.

Santa waved a hand, shaking his head. "No need to get up on my account, Jack."

"Thank GOD." Relieved, Jack slumped in his seat once more. "I am EXHAUSTED."

Santa chuckled. "Exhaustion aside, holding up okay, Jack?"

Jack shrugged, a raspberry slowly turning into a tired exhale.

"Hismus thinks she'll be okay. Given the pattern of the last ones, he's thinking it'll be a couple of hours or so before she comes to."

Jack nodded, folding his hands above his stomach.

"You still haven't answered my question." Santa stepped aside as one of the nurses dropped a chair off beside him. Thanking them, he sunk down in the seat carefully.

"Sorry, what was it again?"

"Why the heavy sigh?"

"Oh. Next steps," Jack stared unblinkingly, still deep in thought. "It was different this time. She was able to catch it from the start. Tried to nip it in the bud. I…let her. And then this happened," he gestured weakly towards her prone form.

"Don't beat yourself up about it, Jack. You did your best, man! And those were some moves, by the way," he sounded slightly awed, Jack realized with pride. "Have you been holding back on me, Frost?"

Jack snorted. "I wouldn't have gotten ANYWHERE with raw displays of power, Claus," he smirked. "But, ah, I am Legendary for a reason, you know."

"Yeah. Remind me not to get on your bad side," Santa paused for a moment, thoughtful. "Or. Well. At least not on purpose."

Jack chuckled, gazing down at Jacqueline softly. Head titled, Santa watched his friend with a smile.

"She's a good kid," he said.

"I know."

"And pretty damn strong."

"I know," Jack said, unable to hide his pride.

"Let me guess. She learnt from the best?"

Jack almost grinned. "The best of the best."

Santa chuckled. "She's lucky to have you as a brother."

"No. I'm lucky to have her as a sister."

Santa smiled, clapping Jack's shoulder, gently, he reminded himself, thinking of the herald's body slam into the globe earlier.

"She'll be okay."

"I hope so."

"I know so."

A comfortable silence fell between them for but a moment when Santa clapped, startling Jack. "So! Next steps! What're you thinking? How can I help?"

"When we were home, we talked to our parents about these blackouts," Jack began, choosing his words carefully. "We rallied and, you know, did a bunch of research. Blaise had several theories from the get-go. I think it'd be in our best interest if I called him up," Jack rubbed his temple, squeezing his eyes tight for a moment.

"I can send for a phone, if you'd like—"

Jack snorted, opening his eyes. "He doesn't have a cell. The man is nearly seven thousand years old and hasn't needed one in all that time. He has other ways to contact people."

"Carrier pigeon? Smoke signals?"

"Please, Santa, we've evolved quite a bit since those days. I'll take care of calling him, don't worry," Jack shook his head. "Just so you know though, it's very likely that he'll come here."

"Here?"

"Uh, yeah."

"To the North Pole?"

"Uh, duh! Santa, his daughter's knocked out in the hospital here. What did you think he'd do?! I mean, if it was Charlie, or Buddy, you'd rush over to see them, yeah?"

"Of course!"

"There you go," Jack said, palm upturned.

"Right. So your Dad'll most likely be coming up. Got it. I'll keep an eye out for him. Anything I should look for? Identifying features?"

"I get most of my looks from him, but not all. He isn't as pointy as I am. Oh! And he'll probably be on fire."

"Ha," Santa laughed.

"I'm not joking."

Santa's smile fell; he blinked in surprise. "Alright then! Fire! Got it!"

"Oh! And another thing, Santa, before you run off to holly and jolly and whatnot."

"Sure, what's up?"

"My mother and younger siblings will probably follow shortly after."

Santa's eyes bulged. "So your whole family? Will be here?"

"Immediate, yes."

"Oh, only immediate? Sure you don't wanna invite the Aunts? Mother Nature, maybe?"

"You would not survive the ensuing shock wave of all three aunts being in the same space as my mother in this situation, Santa. There's a reason she's the scariest season, you know."

"Oh, and it's not because of the nasty weather, slippery conditions, gale force winds, and whiteouts?"

"What, a lovely day like that? I've no idea what you're talking about, Santa."

Santa chuckled. "You don't have to shovel."

"Very true. I just shoo it away."

Santa blinked. Biting back a comment, he shook his head, refocusing. "Right! Okay! I'll send word to hospitality, and get rooms made up, just in case they all stay the night. And I guess I'll keep my eyes out for your Dad. Add that to sentences I never thought I'd say, ever, in my life."

Jack chuckled. "Thanks, Santa."

"No problem, Jack," Santa said, heading out the door.

Jack sighed, laying his head back in the chair.

Next steps.

Contacting Blaise.

It'd be a while still before Jacqueline woke up, or so everyone thought. Now was as good a time as any to pop into the mindscape and get in touch with the man. So, with one final glance at Jacqueline, Jack got comfortable and closed his eyes.

Now, we've talked a bit about magibean mental connections already. The Legend-Legate link, twin telepathy; Elle's own links to those close to her. Connections magibean parents have to their kids. And though these connections are often visualized as threads that lead to a more direct, quite literal tête-à-tête, not all of them are quite as direct.

Such was the case with Blaise.

Growing up, not once did Blaise ever directly shoot Jack a message with a thought. At least, not as direct as Winter. And definitely not as direct as Jacqueline. No, Blaise's connection to his kids was a little more indirect.

Jack opened his eyes, relieved to see that his mindscape was…not as messy, but not quite clean. Furniture was no longer floating around, but stuff certainly was. He grabbed an umbrella out of the air, shoving it into an umbrella stand beside one of the memory tunnels. It was taking shape; a neat mishmash of his home in Gstaad and Frost Manor. His favourite bits of furniture from both places had righted themselves, standing upright and rooted to the ground now, if a little crooked. He tried to straighten a chair. It squeaked back to the 45-degree angle it had been in.

Jack threw his hands up. "Right then. Keep your secrets."

Pressing forward, he noticed a few photos floating around: new memories from the past few weeks. He and Fino watching the city from the mountains. The two of them and Jacqueline watching Fiera jump from tree to tree, the girl promptly smacking right into one and falling down. (That had been funny. He made a mental note to give her caffeine again; it had been a riot!). Talking with Blaise. The market with Winter. Dinner with his Aunts. The late night musical discussion with Jacqueline. Lots of on-the-job memories from the past month with his Legate. He smiled as the memories floated by in quick succession, one after the other, following alongside him as he wandered his mindscape.

Oh, Jack realized. It was a trail.

He followed it, chuckling at some of the memories as they floated by his head. One by one. Then twos. Then threes and fours until finally, just up ahead in front of his fireplace from Gstaad, they swarmed together in a huge cloud.

"Shoo," he said, gently waving them away. They fluttered off, revealing the mantle.

It was tidy. Above it was a large portrait; blank, at present. Odd, Jack thought. A few frames sat on the mantle, some Polaroids still floating about, fighting for dibs on the frames. A couple of other familiar trinkets stood on the mantle: A snow globe. A little pine tree made entirely of ice. An empty espresso cup and saucer. Two tiny snow people, one a giant, ferocious looking beast and the other a tiny, smiley, bundle of snow. He smiled, his eyes landing on a stack of paper beside a quill and inkpot.

Quirking an eyebrow at the quill, Jack glanced down at the hearth. The fire roared. That'll be it, he thought, grabbing the quill and scrawling a quick note.

Blaise—

It happened again. She's fine; so am I. Wanted to let you know. Seemed the best course of action.

—Jack.

Reading it over once, then once more, Jack nodded his approval. He folded it in half, then in half again, and flicked it directly into the fire. The flames engulfed it, the note disappearing with a FWOOM.

Jack rested his elbow on the mantle, hands folded on top of one another, crossing one foot over the other. He waited a beat; then another.

FWOOM.

The fire glowed. A flame unfurled, a slightly singed piece of paper flying out of it and right into Jack's waiting hand. Pinching the letter, he unfolded it, hastily reading the response.

On my way. Winter to follow with Twins. Sit tight.

—Blaise.

---

This one was a fighter.

Thankfully, this time he came prepared.

Her mindscape had finally calmed down. Finally. The inner Jacqueline was laid flat, knocked out on her back. The goop shifted; the mindscape was hard at work trying to clear it out, having shut down all else to do so. He chuckled. It was futile; he still had free roam of the place, and with everything quiet, the inner reflection unable to prevent anything given her, ah, sticky situation…he could see everything.

His shadow (the way her mindscape had decided to reflect his presence there) shifted on the walls. It sped through the tunnels, shading the memories as it skittered past. Gliding through the goop silently.

He chuckled. Darkly. It echoed in the empty space. Inner Jacqueline shifted. The goop jumped the moment she made to move, bringing her back down. The quiet returned. The shadow stopped above a long, bright tunnel. Snowflakes drifted down the hall, a cold wind blowing through it and nothing else.

The path to the subconscious was clear.

And the thoughts back here were worse.

He slid in, stepping forward. What to use from here? There was so much to chose from, he couldn't begin to fathom where to start! Drawn to a particularly angry looking memory, he started forward. Stopped, almost immediately, by something…crunchy? Underneath his foot.

Stepping back, he surveyed the goop.

Something was glowing underneath it.

He kicked it. It grew brighter. It was very loud.

He leaned in.

Oh I do know. I know that you are not supposed to be Santa. I don't know how you did it, but I know you did it. And now, you've helped me narrow down the search!

"Oh hell-o, what is this?"

Crouching, he reached down, pinching the top of the glowing ball. He pulled it up; it shone with time magic, and was very, very, very loud.

…I swear, to every power that be, I will make you regret the day you stole that jacket and put it on. Just. You. Wait.

"It can't be," he said out loud, shocked. "It shouldn't exist anymore! It doesn't! It was erased! But she…oh. She still remembers!"

His laughter started low. It grew, and grew, until it bounced off the corridors and halls of this one's mindscape.

"How delightful," he hissed. "Yes. I think this will do just nicely. A kindred spirit, you and I, it seems. A pair of siblings, wronged by their own."

The dark chuckle returned. It echoed through the mindscape once more, bouncing about until it hit the high ceilings, dissipating into nothing. He got up, practically skipping behind the memory as he approached a small, well hidden, unmaintained tunnel.

The timeline he thought erased, that had been but a blip for him, was spread out on the walls alongside him.

He grinned. Or at least, tried to. Had anyone seen it, it would've looked more like a sneer than anything. Rubbing his hands together as the memories played on the walls (a delightfully surprising amount of fire involved), he cackled.

This was going to be fun.

---

A/N: I CAN EXPLAIN.

tl;dr: 2017-tec/roe glow up got me rewriting-got to this point-hated the way i had Jacqueline's attacks going-rewrote again in 2019 ish-covid hit; creativity died-2022. started getting fanart? for tHIS? got back into it-got to this point and stopped to crosspost on ao3-rewrote AGAIN while crossposting-HERE WE ARE

Long story: y'all wouldn't BELIEVE how wildin the last 5 ish years have been, my GOD. Covid sucked! Both being in lockdowns and getting it! Had 0 motivation to continue writing and such, and didn't get back into it proper until 2021ish! Then some lovely people made lovely art of CS (which you can see under the tag /cs fanart on my tumbl) and hit the ground RUNNING. Had some blips on the way: two losses in the fam within five years; got MARRIED and planning THAT was WILDIN, and some MORE family shenanigans that really threw wrenches in my editing process, BUT. WE DID IT. WE MADE IT. HERE WE ARE. CHAPTER 24. HOT OFF THE PRESS. AH.

So hi, I guess! It's been a while! VERY happy to have a new chapter out for you all! ALSO very happy to report that NOT ONLY is Crystal Springs now on ao3, but it is ALSO written up to Chapter 29 with weekly updates set to GO for the remainder of the year! It has gotten a HUGE glow up, so if (like me) you are reeling from psychic damage dealt to you by the hecking SERIES (that's a thing now?), might I suggest taking CS from the top? WINK. This is version 3! (Version 1 being when it originally was written and completed in 2013/14, Version 2 being the 2017 edit)

BUT YEAH. We're so back lads and lasses and laderos. Read, review, tell me what you loved! And if ff dot net isn't your favourite medium, check out CS on ao3! . Especially bc e-mails appear to be down for me over here ONCE AGAIN (I'm gonna go crazy this week checking in every day to make sure I see every comment or whatever, lol)

Anyway! Enjoy! I hope you all have an amazing week and I'll see you all next week with Chapter 25: (in Kronk voice) Oh Yeah. It's All Coming Together (this title will most likely change lmao. It is too long for ff dot net, but in my heart that is what it is called)