North strode out of his office humming a jolly tune. Today he was in a better mood that usual. Today they were all summoning together for a meeting. Though this was a common occurrence it delighted North none the less to see their smiling faces. He pushed open the doors of the meeting room to find his old friends waiting for him. Tooth Fairy fluttered about anxiously as she instructing her fairies on their jobs. Bunnymund sat painting an egg, training his craft for next year. Meanwhile Sandy sat sleeping in his chair, a crescent moon made of sand hung over his head. With a yawn he awoke and waved to North. The others stopped their work and smiled at him.
"Finally, thought you forgot we were coming." Bunnymund commented.
"Good evening North." Tooth said dismissing the swarm of fairies.
"Greetings everyone. I am so glad you are here." The Russian returned. "Shall we get to business?"
"Wait a minute. Where's Jack?" Tooth asked swooping down to the table.
"Snowballs and fun times remember? He's probably off causing a blizzard." Bunny answered with a huff. "Let's just have to meeting."
An 'X' formed over Sandy's head. The Sandman folded his arms showing his clear displeasure with Bunnymund's passive attitude. North agreed with him. Though it would have been easy to dismiss Jack it was not right.
"Sandy is right. Jack is Guardian now. He needs to be here." North said with a nod. "Besides meeting is to discuss coming of winter."
Sandy create a dream sand party hat and balloons.
"A party would be a great idea." Tooth said with a smile.
The door swung open and Tooth had to quickly fly out of the way the door. The yeti who had entered looked to her and quickly gave an apology in Yeti. North glared at him.
"Phil? How many times have I told you to knock?" North said angrily.
The yeti rambled off more grunts and growls as his explained himself to North. In an effort to appease him Phil offered up the tray of cookies he had with him. North cracked a smile and sampled one. A look of ecstasy came over his face.
"These are delicious!" He mumbled with his mouth full.
Sandy floated over and plucked one of the chocolate chip cookies. Sampling it his gave a thumbs up, though his ear-to-ear smile better represented his joy. Phil said something else as Bunny reached for a cookie. The curious expression on North's face made him pause.
"What did he say?" Bunny asked curling his hand.
"Jack made them before he left." North translated.
"Frostbite made these? I did not know he could bake."
"Well they look good."
Tooth took up one of the cookies. She didn't partake of sweets often as it set a bad example. However, in a moment of weakness Tooth would take one and brush extremely well afterwards. As she cautiously partook of the sweet Phil spoke up and presented a note to North that had been left with the tray. North popped the last piece of cookie into his mouth before taking the note. With his mouth full Bunnymund snatched the note.
"Chew your food mate." Bunny opened the note. "Dear North, Thank you for letting me use the kitchen, here are some cookies in return. Sorry I can't make it to the meeting. I have a snow day that is over due in Quebec. See ya' later, Jack. P.S. Tell everyone I say 'hey'."
Bunnymund rolled his eyes. Only Jack Frost would write such a message in such a tone.
"Why was Jack using the kitchen?" Tooth asked taking up a second cookie.
"I did not know Jack was even here." North said with a shrug, taking another himself.
Phil answered and Sandy created a question mark. North dropped the cookie he reached for.
"He made bread and cookies, like he does every week." North said confused.
"How could you not know he was here?"
"Jack's a sly one, I'll give him that." Bunny said taking the last cookie. "He's a quiet freeloader."
Phil snatched the cookie away from the rabbit and glared at him.
"Hey!" Bunnymund snapped.
With a huff the yeti took the empty tray and cookie before turning out and shutting the door behind him. Tooth was on the same channel of thought.
"That was mean Bunny. Maybe Jack doesn't have an oven. You know as the spirit of winter he doesn't exactly mix well with hot things."
Baby Tooth appeared from behind Tooth and got in Bunny's face. She made several chirping noises telling bunny off. He seemed unscathed as he rolled his eyes.
"Well enough to bake." Bunny scoffed before blowing the fairy back.
Sandy jumped between them and flashed the basic shape of a house and then a question mark. Though North was usually the interpreter however they all got the message. As Tooth translated Bunny pilfered one of the three cookies Sandy had snatched.
"Where does Jack live anyway?" Tooth reintegrated looking to North.
"Do not ask me. Ask Bunny, he found Jack first time." North said pointing.
"Jack always said Burgess is his home, but I know for a fact he doesn't stay past April." Bunny said holding the angry Sandman back. "Other than that I don't know where he lives."
"We should ask him. After all he has been to all of our homes." North mused. "Sandy, didn't you invite Jack to Dream Castle?"
Sandy gave a nod. Jack had visited him several times while crossing the Pacific. The fact only troubled North more.
Only a few months had past since Pitch had been defeated and North could already feel a rift growing between the guardians. It was not uncommon, they all had things to do; teeth to collect, eggs to paint, dreams to create and a season to bring. However this was a trying time for them. Pitch was gone, but he would not stay that way. They would need each other. Jack more so than ever. Being alone for so long they would need to reassure him of his place. Allowing someone into your home was the ultimate sign of trust. One Jack had yet to show.
"Why not now?" Tooth asked. "We need Jack for the meeting anyway."
"Then let us go!"
North reached into his coat and pulled out a glittering snow globe. Bunnymund immediately jumped back. Bunnymund was the fastest creature on earth and yet the snow globes instantaneous speed was unbearable.
"I'll take a tunnel." He quivered.
"Nonsense, You will be searching all of Canada."
"Quebec's not that big."
"Bunny!" Tooth quipped as she rolled her eyes with Sandy.
North pulled the snow globe close to his mouth and whispered to it.
"Jack Frost…"
The orb began to glow with a rainbow colored light. North then tossed it to the ground and in an explosion of light a hole was torn through time and space. North shoved Bunny through before hopping in himself. The others quickly followed suit.