Ok this chapter is crazy long! I tried to split it up, but it was too hard to find the right spot, so instead, I kept it together. Anywho I have to tell you that school is starting up again, so posts will probably spread out, sorry :/ but it helps that I already have a lot written! haha.
This is one of my favorite chapters! I totally listened to mulan while writing one of the scenes, because the music that plays during the avalanche in Mulan was wayyyy perfect ha!

Anyway I hope you enjoy! Oh and thanks soooo much for all the wonderful reviews! :)

Chapter Nine

One Problem, After Another

"Snowball!" Star called into the forest, while she walked around large trees and through the snow. She turned to look behind her and noticed that she could no longer see the town's lights. "Great, just great," she mumbled angrily, before facing forward once more.

She finally stopped walking and listened quietly. She heard more barks to her right and she turned and called once more. "Snowball! Here boy!" More puppy barks sounded, but Star could've sworn she heard them to her left this time.

Spinning around a couple times, Star looked out into the trees, only being able to see so far before darkness filled the abyss. She finally stopped and sighed dramatically. "Stupid dog," she grumbled and kicked the snow a little.

A branch snapped from behind her and Star spun around with a gasp. She saw nothing but trees, and the realization of her situation (a lone girl lost in the woods at night) hit her like a ton of bricks. "Snowball." she called but not so loudly. 'Maybe it was the small puppy; yeah it had to be, it couldn't be anything else… right?'

"Snowball, is that you boy?" she spoke nervously and then gulped a little as she started walking towards where she heard the sound. "Ok, you can come out now." She tried to laugh, but it died and shivers started to take over her body while her heart raced. She was cold, that's why she was shivering, because she was cold.

Now next to the spot where she swore she heard the noise, Star stopped and looked around. "Snowball?" she questioned, realizing that she could see her breath from the chill in the air. It gave her an eerie feeling that she didn't much enjoy.

"BOO!"

Star screamed as she tried to back up, but instead tripped on a root and fell into the snow. Quickly she scrambled to sit up and face whatever was there, but she didn't see anything. She only heard… laughter? Yes, hysterical laughter from up in the tree.

While breathing heavily, Star looked up into the dead branches of trees and she could've died from rage at who she saw hanging upside down from one branch.

April Fool clutched his sides as he swung a little on the branch. He opened his eyes to look at her once more, only causing another fit of laughter to overtake his body. "Your face…" He laughed more while gasping for air. "Priceless…"

Star glared at him before she stood from the cold snow. Great, now she was all wet and cold. Once more she glared at Fool who still laughed like a hyena. "That wasn't funny!" she yelled at him while wiping off the remaining snow on her butt.

Fool finally jumped down from his branch, landing with grace in the snow before he looked at Star. Her angry face only made him giggle more and wipe stray tears from his eyes. "Y-yes it was." He laughed more when Star crossed her arms.

"No it wasn't. You scared me half to death!" To show her frustration she picked up some snow and threw it at him. He just flinched and let it hit him as he laughed more.

Realizing he was too caught up in his own prank, Star gave up on throwing snow at him. "What are you even doing out here anyway?" she asked angrily. It had been at least 50 years since she's seen the always pranking Guardian, and right now she didn't feel as it had been long enough.

She hadn't noticed his laughing died, till he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and smiled down at her. "I saw you in town and followed you out here. And really Star, how could I not prank you? You made it way too easy." He chuckled a little more.

Star pushed his arm off her shoulder and walked away from him. "You're a jerk." she said as she tried to get as much distance as possible from him. Star used to think that he was the only spirit close to her age (until she met Jack), because Fool only looked to be in his late 20's. He had reddish brown hair and bright green eyes, and for a guy, he wasn't bad looking at all. His body was well built and he was very tall with a great smile, Star always wondered if his good looks were what made him so cocky.

"Wait up!" She heard him call with a laugh and Star stopped, only because she had no idea where she was going and she had a puppy to find.

"I'm sorry Star; you know I can't help it." he said, now standing behind her. His smile wouldn't leave his face while he looked at her from behind. If he was honest, Fool had always had a thing for Star, but the only thing he knew how to do was play pranks on her, and that always got him negative attention.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Star grumbled while looking around the forest once more. She could no longer hear Snowball's barks and she started to get a little worried.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" Fool asked looking around also.

"I was trying to find my dog before you scared me." She faced him angrily. "Now I can't hear him, thanks a lot."

Fool laughed a little and held his hands up. "Hey don't worry about it; I'm sure he's around here somewhere." A good thing about Fool was that he was always good at looking at the positive side. "What's his name?"

Star crossed her arms while she looked at him. "Snowball." Then she let out a laugh. "But don't get your hopes up; I've been calling him all night and he-"

"Snowball!" Fool's loud booming voice made Star flinch. After a minute there was no sound and Star smirked at him.

"Told you."

Then in the distance there was barking. It got increasingly louder until the white bundle of fur jumped out from between the trees and ran up to Fool. The large guy picked him up with a laugh. "Aren't you a good boy?" he cooed while letting the puppy lick him all over his face.

Star looked at Snowball and Fool with mouth open. Then she shut it and rolled her eyes while she threw her hands in the air. "So now he comes." she said out loud.

Fool looked over at her and chuckled before putting down the puppy, who now ran to Star. "Where did you find him?" Fool asked noticing how the little thing seemed to love her.

Smiling, Star picked him up and let him lick her chin while she hugged him again; the poor thing was freezing, although he whined happily as if he didn't notice. Star glanced up at Fool and almost blushed at the look he was giving her. "I didn't find him, he was a wish." she said quietly.

"A wish?" Fool asked shock and Star nodded still looking away. "Star that's great!" he laughed before running over to her and hugging her tightly, squishing little Snowball in between them. Star couldn't help but laugh a little herself as Fool pulled away.

Fool was the very first spirit she met since she became a spirit. He introduced her to North and Sandy, and a couple of other of spirits. Even though he often annoyed the heck out of her, she found his company warming. He was a good friend and she owed him a lot. But of course she was completely oblivious to his crush on her.

All of a sudden Snowball started to growl within her arms. Star looked down confused and noticed how he looked towards a small incline with trees lining up at the top, like a wall with cracks in between. Snowball struggled to get out of her grasp but she held on tightly, determined not to lose him again.

The feeling she had before Fool scared her made its way through her body, causing her heart to start to beat faster while she turned to face the dark area.

Fool turned too, one hand still resting on Star's shoulder while he looked along the forests edge.

"Fool." Star started nervously, with a hint of anger. "I swear if this is another prank…" Slowly she took a step back as Snowball's growls got louder… Wait a minute, those weren't Snowball's growls, those were coming from the trees ahead.

"This isn't me Star. I swear." Fool spoke; trying to keep calm, but even his nerves seemed to get the best of him.

One by one, yellow eyes appeared within the darkness, making Star and Fool take another slow step back. The last thing they wanted to do was surprise whatever was ahead of them.

The growls got louder, completely blocking out Snowball's small ones. They were so close you could tell that there was more than one thing growling.

Slowly, large black wolves came into view. They had searing yellow eyes that narrowed at the two spirits. Some let out venomous barks along with the constant growling, ones that had both Star and Fool gulping.

"Is that…?" Fool started while observing one of the wolves closely.

Star looked towards him, and then in the direction he was staring. She looked at the wolf that was now almost completely out of the trees and noticed that its back half didn't seem stable, as in it melted away towards the darkness like… sand. It was black sand.

Star set down Snowball slowly, praying that the pup stay put. Luckily he only took a couple steps forward, while bending down and growling at the much larger dogs direction.

Knowing what- or should she say who was about to make himself known, Star reached slowly for her pouch, flinching whenever a dog barked harshly towards her. She froze when she noticed all the dogs stopped just outside of the tree line, all their sand flowed to one spot within the trees and Star's breath hitched while she stared at that spot.

Fool clenched his fist when he saw Pitch Black step out from the darkness. He started to chuckle in that accent of his, making him sound all the more malicious as his yellow eyes scanned over the pair. "Well, well, what do we have here?" His eyes landed on Fool first. "April Fool and…" His gaze shifted to Star. "Ah, if it isn't the famous Star Light. Where are the rest of your Guardian friends hm? They didn't send you out into the dark alone did they?"

"She's not alone." Fool said angrily, taking a step towards him.

"Oh no, of course she's not. Why should she be afraid when she's got April Fool here to protect her?" He mocked Fool who looked away from him angrily. "What is it they say? Once a Fool, always a Fool?" Pitch chuckled as Fool let the comment get to him. If there was one thing Fool didn't like, it was when people didn't take him seriously.

"What do you want Pitch?" Star asked furiously, causing Pitch to smirk in her direction.

"Well I figured that was quite obvious my little night light." The nickname made Star glare at him. "You see, a few years ago the Guardians tried to get rid of me, but as you very well know, you can't get rid of darkness. Look! It's all around us!" Pitch laughed, spreading his shadows from tree to tree, till they were completely surrounded.

Star glanced around, not liking where this was going.

"And you, my precious Star, are my key to getting revenge on those good for nothing, children protecting Guardians-"

"No way! I would never help you." Star almost wanted to laugh. He was nuts.

"Oh but Star, it's not you I require…" His eyes glanced towards her pouch of wishing dust, making Star grab it tightly within her grasp while she took another step back. "Now you can hand it over, and I'll leave you two alone. Or we can do this the fun way, and I'll send my exquisite sand pups after you… the choice is yours."

Star looked at all the wolves that were snarling and growling, each one looking more vicious than the last and they all seemed very ready for attack. She looked at Fool who looked back at her and nodded as if knowing what to do.

"If you want it, come and get it." Star said angrily before running towards Snowball who stood in the snow only a couple feet away.

While she ran Pitch chuckled, happy to have a little excitement. "You heard her…" He spoke to the wolves that still growled, and practically ripped into the snow they were pawing at it so much. "Fetch." The wolves took off as soon as Star snatched up Snowball who let out a high pitched bark. She tossed the small dog towards Fool before turning around and throwing the dust, which she snuck out of her pouch earlier, to the ground praying that this time she wouldn't mess up.

A large brick wall shot up, stopping the wolves from pouncing onto Star.

Quickly she stood, sliding in the snow before Fool grabbed her arm and pulled her into a direction that lead away from the barking and growling. There was no telling how long that wall was going to hold up or how quickly they would get by it.

As they ran through the forest Fool looked back towards Star. "A wall?!" he yelled while dodging a tree. "You could've wished for anything-" he jumped over a bush and almost fell, but Star steadied him as they continued to run "-and you wished for a wall? I mean, you've could've wished them away for crying out loud! Or for a black hole or something!" Fool laughed in panic while taking quick glances towards Star.

They could hear the barking and growling following them, the dog's paws probably helping them to move way quicker through the forest than the two spirits.

"I panicked alright!" Star yelled back, focusing solely on the ground she was running on. "It was the first thing I thought of!" She wanted to look back and see if the barking was as close as her mind made it sound, but she knew that if she didn't focus on anything but the steps ahead of her she would trip and they would all be doomed.

Snowball barked in Fool's arms as he ran. He glanced back and didn't see any wolves yet. Hopefully they were somewhere near town, he didn't think the dogs would follow them there. When he turned to look forward again he stopped in his tracks, sliding a little ways before noticing Star wasn't paying attention.

"Star!" he yelled trying to grab her arm, but it was too late.

Star screamed as she fell into the river she hadn't noticed. It was freezing cold and it hit her like a brick wall, quickly covering her skin like pins and needles. Her lungs burned from the water she took in, and it beat against her constantly and roughly.

Finally gaining strength in her legs she kicked, not knowing what direction she was going, but hopefully it was towards air.

Fool ran alongside the river trying to find her, but the water was too dark. "Star!" he yelled, putting down the dog and getting ready to jump in himself. "Star!"

Suddenly, her head popped above water just a little ways from him. Fool ran towards her while Snowball followed barking like mad. "Hold on Star!" he yelled trying to catch up to her.

Star gasped and choked, trying her best to stay above surface, but she felt incredibly tired. Getting strength to look around, she heard the calls from Fool behind her, but she realized the current was carrying her too fast for him to catch up. 'Alright Star, pull yourself together! You already died once in your life, don't be the first to die twice!' She noticed a large snow covered log, sticking out onto the river.

Kicking and paddling felt like forever as Star swam towards it. She really only had one shot, otherwise she'd become the first ever human popsicle. Finally, her arm hit something hard and she grasped it with all her might. The river pulled her body, causing her arms to stretch painfully, but she was able to pull her upper body onto some part of land. She gasped for air, welcoming the snow, as it actually felt warm compared to the river.

When she thought it was over, Star heard a loud growling from above. Looking up Star would've rolled her eyes if she weren't so tired. Of course a black sand wolf would be waiting for her at the river's edge. The thing growled, ready to attack.

"Eat pie boogey-dog!" Fool yelled jumping into the air and throwing one of his famous pranking pies at him. Wasn't the most practical weapon, no, but it definitely got the job done.

The wolf let out a high pitched cry before rolling away on impact and melting into a pile of sand.

Laughing Fool grabbed onto Star and lifted her small body easily. "How do you like that for a Fool?" He said towards the pile as Star leant against him, still trying to breathe.

Behind them a ways, wolves ran out of the forest edge and saw them.

"Oh time to go!" Fool said trying to pull Star the best he could. The more Star ran, the more her muscles seemed to tighten up, making it harder and harder for her to move.

Fool noticed her slowing down and he realized that they couldn't run for long. Suddenly he got an idea. "You're wishing dust Star! Get us out of here!" He grabbed onto the pouch and pulled it open.

"B-but, it might n-not work." Star spoke shivering, while she looked towards the dust hesitantly.

"Uh…" Fool looked back at the howling pack of wolves headed towards them and then back at Star. "Yeah, that's a risk I'm definitely willing to take."

Star reached her hand in and grabbed the dust. Holding it, she tried to concentrate on North's workshop, but at her feet Snowball stood barking and whining, Fool kept mentioning how close the wolves were, and the dang sand animals wouldn't stop wailing!

Closing her eyes tightly, Star tried to think of the room she woke up in, the elves, the yetis, the toys, North's ice sculptures! Anything to get her dust to work! But her heart was racing and she could barely concentrate, plus her body felt as if it were going to give way any moment. She was just so dang cold!

And then like that, Jack Frost crossed her mind. The cold Jack Frost. Although, he wasn't uncomfortable like Star would imagine a spirit of winter to be. He was a nice cold, like a cool drink of water on a hot day or a nice cold breeze on a summer's night. Now all her mind could seem to think about was Jack. So opting that thinking about him was better than nothing, Star thought about nothing but Jack, which came quite easily.

~There was a bright light that started to form near the pond. Jack paused from on the hill as Jamie turned to see what the Guardian was staring at. When he saw it, his jaw dropped. "What is that?!" he asked in excitement and Jack smiled a little.

"I don't know?" he answered, looking at the glowing light confused. It began to grow, and grow, and as it kept growing it got brighter and brighter, so bright that Jack had to cover his eyes and realization hit him. It was Star's portal!

When the light died down, he looked at it with a smile, expecting to see Star happily standing there with a smile on her face and happy grey eyes. What he actually saw made his smile drop to a frown as he felt his heart clench with pain.

There standing next to his pond was a guy with red hair, wearing what looked like a green tunic and brown pants with black boots. Next to him was a small white dog that barked and whined while looking at their new surroundings. And in the red head's arms was Star, soaking wet and passed out.