Autumn

"The moon told me that I'm Jack Frost and a Guardian," said the white-haired boy with a smirk, leaning against a statue, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. He swung his staff, pointing at the stranger. "Who are you?"

The boy rolled his eyes, blowing slightly so he could see, "The name's Autumn."

Jack burst out laughing, "That's a girl name!"

"Duh. I am one."

"Oh."

There was a brief moment of silence before Autumn's amber-gold gaze focused on Jack's, her lips lifted in a grin.

"Look, maybe you're all famous and have kids seeing you now, all well and good, but ya think you can at least tell me this year when you're going to start frosting the world? I need to keep my trees alive, and it's kinda hard when I haven't the foggiest of when you're gonna start painting. The world needs them more than ever," She finished with a sigh. She placed her hands on her hips and said, "Also, call me Puck, everybody else does." She shrugged.

Jack Frost snorted, "How come nobody's mentioned you before?"

Her eyes flashed, "Idiot, I'm a season. Different than your brand of magic, you're the special one. Everybody just adores you-oh Spring just fawns over you, look at my sexy Jack, isn't he just absolutely adorable?" She mimicked her friend in a falsetto, flying up in Jack's face and fluttering her eyelashes. Jack stumbled back a bit, his cheeks reddening-with anger of course. Puck tumbled backwards, laughing her rear off. "Y-y-your f-f-face!" She snorted.

Jack flew at her, "Oh you'll pay for that, season!"

"Make me!" Puck blew a raspberry at him then turned and shook her rump at him before shooting off on her own wind, just as powerful as his. Soon, instead of playing chase, they were racing. Jack laughed, "Last one to North's is on the nice list!"

"Oh you're on, snowflake!" Puck shot forwards, but soon they were neck-in-neck, fast and faster until they crashed through the open doors of North's workshop, tumbling over frantic elves and landing in a heap, laughing their heads off. Autumn's multi-colored hair shimmered copper and yellow, her cheeks flushed. "Aw man, I haven't had this much fun in years!" exclaimed Frost.

Puck nodded so hard a few leaves shook free of her shirt. Suddenly, both heard the booming voice of North saying, "Jack? Is that you?"

He appeared at the door, his face breaking into a smile. "Glad you could stop by Jack, but why were you going so fast?" His eyes glided over Puck without seeing, puzzlement in each one. She stood and choked out, "I shouldn't have come." She flew off, faster than ever before. Jack stood too and cried out in confusion, "Wait! Don't go!" He turned back to North and frowned, "Didn't you see her?"

"See who Jack?" North said, even more confused.

"I have to go," Jack said and followed Puck, North's cries fading into memory.

Jack searched everywhere, asking everyone he met if they'd seen the strange girl.

Bunnymund's reply was simply, "Who?"

Tooth's was the same, but she did promise to search her teeth for the memories.

It was at Sandy's that he finally gained an answer, not in words. Sandy's face was full of tiredness and sorrow. He led Jack down the halls of his palace, at last arriving at a locked door. Sandy used his dreamsand to form a key, turning and opening the doors.

"Go away, let me be," came the half-hearted cry. The room was full of trees, trees decorated in color. It was a masterpiece, hundreds of years in the making and still undone. Sandy nodded and left Jack Frost to face Puck alone. He stepped inside and immediately the careful work began to fracture, just like its painter. Puck jerked up, whipping around and running at Jack, screaming, "Get OUT!" She used all her strength to conjure up a wind that blew them both out and the doors slammed shut. She rubbed at her eyes, saying quietly, "What do you want?"

Jack Frost sat down, his back against the wall, then patted the space next to him. Her voice was flat, "I'd prefer to stand."

He sighed, ruffling his hair with one hand, "Why did you leave? Why don't the others know who you are?"

Puck snorted, "Nobody believes in me. Not even the guardians. Only you and the Sandman. Not Pitch, not Mother Nature, heck, the Man in the Moon's forgotten about me."

Her gaze turned sad and she said softly, "Why do you? Believe?"

Jack Frost thought a moment, "Well, maybe it's because I know what's it like to be unseen."

"Ha! By children? Try being completely, utterly alone for over two thousand years. TWO THOUSAND YEARS, Jack! When you were born, that's when Sandy found me. On the way of looking for you." Her laugh was harsh and bitter. "My job is short but it's all I have. That's why Sandy let's me have a dream room-so I won't go mad."

Jack's silence was deep and long, until he spoke, his tone calm, "So you aren't even going to try?"

"Try? TRY?" She burst out laughing, the laughter psychotic and broken.

Jack stood and touched her cheek, the cold bringing her back to reality. She said softly, "I have Jack. But I need help. I need someone who understands-even a little bit. Or else, Autumn won't exist anymore."

Jack grinned, "I guess I'm your man then."

Puck smiled weakly, hope entering her eyes for the first time.

"C'mon, enough with the crying, how about a race?"

"Ok Jack."

Fin.