I'm sorry this chapter has been waiting on my desktop for so long. I recently moved interstate so I'm sure you can understand how busy moving time and job hunting can be. Hopefully I'll be back in the swing of things soon. I have all intentions of finishing this fic even if it doesn't seem so at times.
R&R to light a fire under my arse.

They did make fast work of the remaining nightmares. Jack fought furiously, smearing more than his share along the concrete. Everyone worked swiftly, expertly maneuvering in and out each others space.

Jack felt once or twice a Nightmare had been swept out from under his staff by a passing boomerang, and he did his best not to be distracted by the smug glare he knew was shot his way.
Had it been any other day, he would not have ignored the desire to freeze the large furry feet firmly to the ground.

North slew the last of the shadows and straightened his back with a grimace. "We move through town and find the gate." He ordered, and started off down the alley.

"Is that wise mate?" Bunnymund stowed his boomerangs and followed the Christmas guardian. "Pitch'll know when we use them now. And I'm not exactly fond of letting magic throw me every which way. And I hate to say this- but what about the sleigh?"

"Reindeer are tired- they go when I tell them to run. They cannot stand about on ruined rooftop. Pitch knows we are here anyway." North waved him off then smiled. "I am not afraid of him, are you bunny?"

Bunnymund snorted indignantly. "Me? Afraid of that slimy piece of-"

"But where will we go?" Tooth flitted anxiously peering around the corner onto brightly lit streets.

Sandy wound up his whip- and then it was gone in his hands. Jack stared openly, trying to work out where the weapon had disappeared too. The Sandman saw his curious stare and smiled openly at Jack. He held out his hands and there was suddenly a little golden sun sitting above the man's hand- that became a little golden snowflake.

Jack grinned, understanding at once. He was the sand man after all.
Jack reached out- the snowflake shifted at his touch and suddenly the alley was filled with warm golden light. A dolphin pushed under one of Jacks arms and circled teasingly.

Jack laughed happily and clapped for the show. He had only ever seen these dreams from far away. Sometimes catching a glimpse of a pony or a puppy romping playfully above the heads of sleeping children. But it had not felt right to watch for longer than a second.
They were beautiful.

"Oie- Sandy. There's no time for that. Get a move on." Bunnymund cut in rudely and glanced Jack up and down. "Are you coming or not?"

The sandman rolled his eyes towards the rabbit, but he folded his hands and the dolphin disappeared.

Jack felt a pang of annoyance run through him towards the rabbit having ruined the lovely scene. Jack had felt a moment of gratitude towards the Easter Guardian not a few minute ago- but his attitude had clearly not changed since their last encounter and the moment quickly past.
"So what if I'm not?" He shot back icily.

The reaction was silence. The only sound was the tooth faires wings flitting nervously. The Easter bunny turned and gave Jack a hard cold stare- which Jack happily returned.

The bunny's nose flared, "Then we'd be in luck then, wouldn't we."

"You're the one who just dropped in-"

"And saved your tail?" The bunny snapped. "You're welcome by the way, Frosty."

If Jack could go red with fury he might have, instead his cheeks turned a little blue.
"I didn't need your help."

The bunny seemed nonplussed, "Yeah, I could see you had everything under control when Pitch had you on the ground."

Jack raised his staff, coming a little ways above the ground to hover at eye level with the Easter guardian "I was only on the ground because you threw a brick off the roof at me!"

"Enough!"

Jack looked towards North who stood tall and firm- one large on hand on the Easter bunny's shoulder, but his blue eyes pinned on Jack. His expression changed from ridged to warm and friendly in a blink. "Jack, walk with me."

He guided Jack quickly away before he could protest and ushered him along the street. Jack glanced back to see the tooth fairy scolding the Easter Bunny, waging a finger in his face. Jack could not hear what she was saying, but was glad to see the long ears lay a little flatter against the rabbits head. The sandman stood by; silent of course, but his body language told everyone he was not impressed.

North guided Jack down the street. The sky was beginning to lighten; dawn was not so far away. Jack was struck by how Long – and Confusing- his day had been.

"So, Jack Frost."

North said his name like it was a question which made him frown. "Yeah?" It sounded strange in his ears now. Unfamiliar or certainly unused.

The Cossack folded one arm across his chest, and one hand pinched his bearded chin. His dark brows knit together as he marched down the main street. Jack took a moment to regard how ridiculous the scene was. Walking down Main Street with Santa Clause. Jack hurried his steps, he was quickly falling behind the Christmas Guardians large gait.

If North noticed Jack hurrying, he didn't say but his steps lessened slightly. "So… you are Jack Frost. Tell me more eh?"

Jack's face turned blank. "I… uh, there's not much to tell."

"You are a winter spirit. You bring season, yes?"

"Er, yes?"

"You do not sound sure." North chuckled.

Jack thought hard, trying to answer the man the best he could. "Well- I am. But I don't, like, have to be around for winter to happen or anything. I can go where ever I want."
He finished with a flourish and grinned at the man. North noted the brightness of the smile and felt himself returning one.
"That is good. Where is your home then?"

The smile dimmed but Jack didn't pause. "Anywhere its cold I guess." He turned to give the empty street a once over. "I like this town. So I hang around here mostly. But I've been everywhere! Even to your home!"

North's brow came together again. "My home? You have been to north pole?"

"Yeah!" Jack danced a little ways in front and turned to walk backwards as he watched North's face. "I've been trying for 180 years. Don't worry- I never got past the yetis. When they cottoned on to me and latched all the windows, so I found ways in through the tunnels. But I never got past the door really. They'd throw me out into the snow and lock off whatever way I got in." Jack spun and trailed his staff along the road. North watched in fascination as the frost flowed along the ground in delicate curling patterns.
"They patched this up for me once though!" jack added brightly and spun around, holding his hoodie by the chest and pulling it to show North. "It came apart. Phil pulled it off me and sewed it back up and then he tossed me out." Jack chuckled to himself at the memory.

North made a note to discuss this new information with his head of security, and Phil, when this whole ordeal was over. Had this frost child always been just under his radar? North found this thought to be uncomfortable and pushed it aside for late.

Jack noticed the man staring, arms slumping to the side. "Don't worry- I won't try to get in anymore. I never took or broke anything. Promise."

"No-no. You are welcome at North Pole." North assured him quickly and smiled to calm the boy. It worked and Jacks face lit up.

"Really?"

"Yes, you are Guardian now! Always welcome at North Pole. We go there now in fact."

Jack opened his mouth to reply, his feet stopping short, but The Easter bunny was suddenly at their sides, "Why the north pole?" he demanded. "My warrens just as overrun as your workshop- and I've only got days till Easter. You've got half a year!"

"Calm yourself Bunny," North patted the rabbit on the shoulder. "I must gather supplies before we can eradicate pitch from your warren. We must be stronger in order to fight him."

"North- I'm sorry but- my fairies! Please," Tooth was hanging off his elbow. "Every moment a child is waking and seeing the fairies haven't come. They won't believe!"

Sandy laid a hand on the Fairies arm, which calmed her somewhat.

North sighed heavily. "There is so much to do."

"Can someone please explain why everyone seems to think I'm a Guardian?" Jack cut in hoarsely.

The street was silent and the big four turned. Jack stood to one side of the road, holding his staff tightly in front of him and pinning them down with a firm glare. He wanted answers. Not more questions.

There was a wide space between Jack and the Guardians and the distance was felt by everyone. North could see the night's events had taken a toll on the young spirit, and he was surprised how accommodating the boy had been, even up until now.

North cleared his throat, but it was The Easter Bunny who answered.
"The moon told us so."

Jack narrowed his eyes and focused on the rabbit. "You don't want me. I'm not a guardian."

The boy spoke in a way that said there would be no argument on the matter, Bunnymund noted. "And on any other day of the week I'd be inclined to agree with you there Frostbite." He answered evenly. "But today is a special occasion."

Jack didn't reply but he swept his eyes over the four. Sandy took the opportunity to gander everyone's attention with an image of a large ticking clock face.

"Yes- yes Sandy is right." North began walking again briskly and ushered Jack along with them. The boy followed after a pause and came to North's side.

"Jack- I cannot give all answers right now. But know I have best interest in heart for you and for children of the world. Moon has told us you are new Guardian and I believe he make the right choice."

"But-"

"I will not force you to become Guardian either." North continued as if Jack hadn't interrupted. "But I ask you come with us. Pitch has eye on you now and I do not like you to be alone."

"I can take care of myself." Jack pulled away roughly stared back defiantly. North only sighed and exchanged a knowing glance with the Sandman.

For the first time Jack could see how weary they all were. North was so large and fierce- and yet he was burdened and showing his age. Tooths lovely feathers showed patches in her tail and every few minutes she dropped in height for a moment- like it was taking effort to keep herself airborne. The Sand man seemed- for lack of a better word: drained. As for the Easter bunny- he was twitchy, short to tempter and itching to fight. Jack may not like him, but he couldn't disagree that he looked like a mess compared to the calm warrior he had met during their first encounter.

Jack had not known any of them for anything longer than a few minutes at a time- but seeing them as they were- they did not seem themselves. It felt unbalanced. The world – his world- felt tilted in one direction.

The fight left him. He did not like to see the Guardians like this. The children truly loved them all. What if something happened to them? What if Pitch succeeded?

Jack quickly amended his last statement. "I don't need your protection. I will come with you though." He said, smiling a little as a show of understanding. "And if I get to kick Pitch's butt along the way, that's just for my benefit really."

Bunnymund looked uncomfortable, but the others clapped their hands together and beamed.

"You make right decision, Jack." North nodded, clapping the boy on the back and throwing jack off his balance.

Bunnymund mumbled unhappily, "Here we go then."

R&R For good Karma and more chapters.