Reviews -

Guest: Thank you so much, that makes me happy :)

Demi Clayton: I haven't read the books but I will try to include that if I can.

Onto the chapter!

Chapter 5: This is a war 2

He had planned his revenge perfectly, frostbite wouldn't even see it coming. Everything around him seemed normal, and if he hadn't set the trap up himself, he would be completely oblivious too. A cool breeze stalked through the woods, rustling the fading autumn leaves and causing a few to glide slowly to the ground. Broken twigs crunched under his feet as he inspected his trap.

He had waited over a month to get back at Jack, recruiting the elves from the Pole (unfortunately this cost him a fair amount of chocolate, but he had plenty of time to make up for it and it was worth it to make the Winter Spirit pay), gathering some supplies from the Warren and stalking his every move in that time, memorising his schedule until he knew it off by heart. Now, he wasn't normally this vindictive but the little sprite did nothing but set him on edge and he needed a good teaching.

He didn't really get up to much on Thursdays - after he'd finished his jobs in preparation of Winter, he'd play with the kids for a few hours, visit North at the Pole then head back to his home (which consisted only of a very uncomfortable looking tree as a bed) for the night. Bunny had noticed he hadn't been sleeping very well lately (he would talk to him about that later) but for now he needed to finish preparing for Jack's arrival, which would be soon. If he had calculated correctly, Jack should arrive to the glade in about ten minutes, just enough time for him to add the finishing touches to his set-up and hide so his comrade wouldn't suspect anything. This was going to be so good, the little snowflake wouldn't dare mess with him again.

Jack entered the clearing with a swift leap, landing gracefully on the ground. For such a little blighter, he sure was nimble. He had a quick conversation with wind, as he usually did, checked his lake to make sure it was properly iced over, then stalked over to his favourite tree.

Rustling bushes in the corner would usually have caught Jack's eye but, as he was excessively tired today, he ignored the sounds and continued forward, presuming it was just a small animal. Facing away from Bunny's hiding spot, he flew up to the utmost branch on the large oak tree and snuggled down, cradling his staff like he always did. He never let his staff out of his sight.

A few hours later and Bunny was seriously beginning to contemplate going to wake Jack up himself: his legs and back were tired from crouching for so long, his fur was itching and it was beginning to get dark. Large clouds concealed the stars dotted in the vast navy sky and Man in Moon hadn't made an appearance yet, so the only light source was the dull orange of the fading sun.

Just as Bunny was about to pelt a (small) rock at Jack, he began to stir, and Bunny once again went rigid. Finally!

Large gangly limbs reached out in a tangled mess as the Winter spirit yawned and stretched his waking muscles. Looking around, he noticed the fading glare of the dying sun and guessed he had been asleep for around four hours. That was good, he barely got any sleep at the minute, but he was just so exhausted today. Feeling exhilarated with the energy of his nap, he jumped down from the tree and landed without so much as a crunch of a leaf.

A smirk appeared on the Pooka's face as Jack walked in the direction of his excellently-hidden trap, not suspecting a thing. Any second now...

Suddenly, a loud, ungraceful yelp echoed across the clearing along with a small thud as Jack's staff hit the ground. His snowy white hair tickled the earth as he hung upside down, suspended in mid air by a knotted rope tied around his right foot. Perfect, he had him right where he wanted him to be.

Smugly, Bunny stepped out of the bushes, facing a very disheveled looking Winter spirit who was scowling like he would never scowl again. He smirked, time to gloat.

"Ya aright there mate, ya looking a bit... upside down!" Jack's reply was an exaggerated roll of his eyes - Aster seriously needed to learn some better insults. "No, didn't like that one? 'Kay, how about... ya looking a bit.. tangled up! Ya get it? Because ya tangled in ma trap."

"Seriously?"

"No ya right I can do better - right get this: what do you call -"

"This is the worst punishment imaginable and I don't even know what I'm being punished for."

"Excuse me, I think my jokes are pretty good!" Jack didn't respond, simply glancing at the Pooka with a look of deadpan boredom on his face. Bunny huffed; he had been practicing them jokes all night.

"Fine, guess I'll just get on with ma revenge." Without another word, the Pooka produced one of North's snow globes from behind his back, the colourful glow casting funky patterns on his fur and making him look like an oddly fluffy disco ball.

"Oh no. I'm so scared." Jack didn't even have to try to irritate Bunny anymore, it came as easily to him as breathing. He knew it probably wasn't the best idea right now (what with dangling from a tree branch, without his staff and completely under Bunny's control) but he couldn't help himself.

"Why ya little-"

And hence, yet another argument between the Guardian of Hope and the Guardian of fun ensued. It was more playful for Jack and he loved knowing he could still get the better hand even at a disadvantage. Bunny was so wrapped up in their battle of insults, he didn't even notice the eerie black shadows sweeping the dell until a large figure had emerged fully emerged and it was too late.

Black sand bubbled and spewed from a small dark spot as formidable shadows swept through the trees, giving the illusion of dark fog. The circle of sand grew larger and larger until a figure started to emerge, silencing both the Pooka and Jack. It was clear what the gushing heap was turning into, but neither were prepared when the fearsome figure of the Nightmare King stepped out from the dark wreckage.

To be continued...