CHAPTER SEVEN - Memories

As she ran, Mae imagined Pitch behind her on his black nightmare steed, reaching out to grab her-Mae pushed herself harder, her heart somersaulting unevenly. Despite the fear, she clutched April's umbrella triumphantly. She had done something right! She had found the umbrella and escaped the lair just as she had said she would. Not only that, but she had held her own against Pitch and proved to him that she wasn't as helpless as he may think.

She didn't see Jack until she passed by him on his way back to her. It took a few moments before she realized and she spun to a stop, falling on her knees in the burning sand. She stayed like that, panting and savouring her victory, until she felt Jack's cool touch on her shoulder. His touch caused a million thoughts and emotions to flood her mind. She didn't look up at him. She couldn't help but be attracted to him especially when he was so sweet to her but—

"Mae? Are you okay?"

The seriousness of her deadly fight with Pitch dawned on her. Mae got up shakily and wrapped her arms around him. Mae could see Pitch before her, sword raised, ready to strike her down. She clutched Jack closer, taking comfort in his cool embrace. She thought of Gabriel and all the boys who had loved her. How many had fallen in love with her? April always teased her about it. Every time she had gotten involved with a boy, it ended in disaster. Mae didn't want Jack to be one of those. She remembered their conversation on the beach and what had almost happened.

"Mae?" he pulled away from her. "What happened?" His face darkened and he reached forward to touch her mouth. Mae winced, remembering Pitch's strike.

"You're hurt. Did Pitch do this?"

She nodded and he cursed. "What happened?"

"I was looking for the umbrella and Pitch appeared and I fought him." Mae smiled, "I actually fought him! And I knocked him down once!"

Jack smiled a bit, but his face did not lose its concern.

Mae thought back to the encounter. "He almost got me but the umbrella helped me." Another detail came to her mind. Perhaps the most puzzling. "There was a boy there!"

Jack looked confused. "What?"

Mae nodded, excited now. "And he looked exactly like you!"

Jack froze."What?"

"There was an unconscious boy there and he looked exactly like you except for dark hair!"

"Go back to the North Pole," Jack told her. "I'll go see about this boy that looks like me." He sounded skeptical, and a bit curious. But, he really wanted to get back at Pitch for hurting Mae.

Mae nodded. "Is April going to be okay?" she asked.

"The others are looking after her," he answered. "But you should be there when she wakes up."

Mae nodded again and gave him a quick, fleeting hug. "Thank you," she whispered before darting off.

Jack watched her run off, a swirl of petals rising up in her wake despite the intense heat. He caught one of the blossoms and carefully tucked it in the pocket of his sweater. He then turned, ready to face Pitch again.

The lair was empty when he arrived a few minutes later, entering with a blast of cold wind that stirred the sand. He looked around carefully, staff in his hands. He saw the boy slumped on the ground a few yards away and hurried over to him. Jack looked at him a moment, leaning on his staff. He didn't see the resemblance Mae had seen.

The boy stirred and Jack jumped back instinctively, raising his staff. "Hey," Jack said, nudging the boy's shoulder with a toe. "You okay?"

An echoing laugh caused Jack to whirl around. Pitch leered down at him from one of the surrounding towers. He melted into the shadows and reappeared behind Jack, standing over the boy. Jack noticed he was limping, and there was a cut on his face. Mae's vines, he guessed.

"What are you doing back, Pitch? I thought we got rid of you last time," Jack said with his characteristic smirk, leaning casually on his staff. "You're no match for the Guardians."

Pitch frowned. "You didn't get rid of me," he sneered. "The children merely stopped believing." His grin was chilling. "Oh, but they will start believing again with my new nightmares."

"Fire," Jack said knowingly, stepping forward. "Why can't Sandy turn them back?"

Pitch's grin turned even colder and Jack, who could stand barefoot on the ice in winter, shuddered. "Because these nightmares are sprung from real fears."

"How?" Jack demanded, ice crackling from the edge of his staff.

"You'll find out," Pitch said. "That girl was pretty, wasn't she?"

"Leave her out of this!" Jack hissed, his staff snapping into his hands and a blast of ice shooting out from the end. Pitch disappeared into the sand, his laugh echoing around Jack in a way that reminded him of their last encounter in Tooth Palace. He blasted at the walls with ice, gritting his teeth, until the laughter faded away.

"She isn't very useful, though," Pitch said suddenly. Jack spun around, shooting another blast in the direction of the voice. Pitch's laugh carried through the lair, taunting Jack as he turned in a slow circle, waiting for him to reappear.

"You don't know anything, Pitch," Jack said, throwing another blast at the shadowy figure when he appeared behind him. Pitch just sank into the darkness again.

"I reign in the shadows. I know everything," he said. He appeared suddenly in front of Jack, shadow-like tendrils of dark sand reaching into Jack's pocket and pulling out the green blossom. He disappeared again; now he was on a tower above Jack.

"How is it she became a Guardian?" Pitch asked. "She doesn't do much. You, Guardian of Fun. Her, Guardian of...Flowers," he jeered. "Seems to me she needs protecting from you. Your frost hurts her, Jack." He showed the blossom to Jack - even in his pocket, frost had coated the edges. "She could never like someone who kills the things she lives for."

"Why...why would she like me?" Jack asked carefully.

"Don't tell me you care for the girl?" Pitch laughed. "You will only hurt her." He leaned forward, crushing the blossom between his fingers. The powdered remnants fell from the tower in a slow, mocking cascade.

Jack watched it fall and didn't say anything.

"She doesn't love you, Jack," Pitch said smoothly, a dark gleam in his eyes. "But perhaps when this is all over, I can keep her around. Pretty little thing like her can keep me warm."

Shards of ice suddenly exploded from the end of Jack's staff, spreading out and shooting at Pitch like darts. He caught a brief glimpse of mild terror in Pitch's eyes before he vanished without a sound.

The display from his staff stopped and Jack was left glaring at the spot he had attacked. A quick look around told him Pitch wasn't there anymore.

"What happened?" a quiet, vaguely familiar voice asked. Jack looked down at the boy at his feet. He was propping himself up on his elbow, looking at the icicles clumped in the sandy wall.

A ringing of jingle bells interrupted Jack and he turned to see North's sled skidding into the lair. North jumped out, wielding his two broadswords. "Where is he?" he shouted before looking around. "What happened?"

"He left," Jack spat. "Why did you come? I had it under control."

"Mae told us there was an unconscious boy here," North said, sheathing the swords. He pointed at the boy on the ground. "That him?"

"Well, I'm not unconscious anymore," the boy said, squinting up at them. "Who are you?" he asked.

North raised a bushy eyebrow. "They don't seem to get the red suit," he muttered. "I'm Santa Claus! North!" he grumbled. "I don't have these tattoos for no reason," he added, displaying the 'naughty' and 'nice' ink on his massive forearms. "Ho, ho, ho? No?"

"I thought you were supposed to be a jolly old man," the boy said with a shrug.

"Is now the time for this?" Jack stepped in, tapping his staff on the ground impatiently. "Who are you?" he asked the boy, offering him a hand. The moment they touched, their skin sizzled. It was like sticking a fire poker in the snow. Jack withdrew his hand quickly, watching the boy's similar reaction. "Who are you?"

"William," the boy said, looking between the two Guardians. "Will Blaze."

oOoOoOoOoOo

"Pitch captured me about a week ago," Will explained again. He had already told Jack and North the basics, and now they were back at North's workshop, convening. He stood at the forefront of an awkward circle, getting pierced with many an unkind glare. Tooth was fluttering nearby nervously; Baby Tooth had taken shelter behind Bunnymund, who looked like he was about to throw Will down a hole any second; North was polishing his blades; Sandman had his arms crossed over his chest and an angry swarm of sandy bees buzzing around his head; and Jack was perched on a desk absently making frosty designs on the wood.

"I had no choice!" Will insisted. "He threatened me."

"How?" Bunny demanded.

Will glanced at him. Baby Tooth momentarily peeked out from Bunny's shoulder, and shot right into Jack's pocket.

"Pitch is powerful," Will said slowly. "He might not seem it, after you made the kids stop believing in him, but he knows things. He lurks in the shadows, and he hears things. He knows your deepest fears, and makes them a reality. He knows who you love, and will hurt them to get to you." He looked at Jack as he said this; Jack didn't look up, but his hand clenched on the table. "He's merciless. The nightmares won't change back because they are rooted in real fears. He made me use fire to scare them."

"That doesn't answer how he threatened you," Bunny pointed out.

"Look," Will said, ignoring Bunny, "I want to help you."

"How?" Bunny looked even more skeptical.

"I already told North," Will said. "He says it's a good idea."

"What?" Tooth piped up, whizzing over to North. "You didn't ask us first?"

North put his sword down. "Will said he can make the children not fear fire," he explained. "To show them not to be afraid. The dreams will go back."

"I don't like it, mate," Bunny mumbled. "They're scared 'cause of him. It won't be easy changing their fear now."

"It's worth a shot," Jack said, looking up.

"Yeah, and what do you know?" Bunny said, glaring at him unhappily. "We know of five kids who believe in Jack Frost. There are thousands out there who believe in this guy, and are scared of him!" He pointed a finger at Will. "You don't know anything about what makes kids happy."

"Oh, yeah?" Jack challenged, slipping off the desk and stepping forward. "I'm the Guardian of Fun! What are you? Guardian of eggs? Eggs don't have feelings!"

"Watch it, mate," Bunny hissed. "I can send you to China in an instant."

"I know everything about making kids happy!" Jack shouted. "This is a good plan and we've already decided on it! So stick that tail of yours -"

"Jack!" Tooth gasped.

"Can I say something?" Will asked, watching them. The tension in the room was almost palpable.

"No!" Bunny shouted as Jack and Tooth said, "Yes."

"Go ahead, Will," North said.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," Will said, glancing around the room. Tooth seemed to be warming up to him; Sandman was nodding off to sleep again; only Bunnymund looked downright angry. "I once showed someone I cared for that fire couldn't hurt her. Just like any kind of weather can be dangerous, it can also be tamed."

"Talking about me again?" a sarcastic voice asked from the other side of the room.

All heads turned to the girl in the doorway, sporting a yellow cast with flowers painted over it and an umbrella hanging from a finger.

"April!" Tooth squealed, whizzing over to hug the girl.

"Ow," April muttered, squirming out of Tooth's hold. "That's enough hugging from you, Toothy."

"Nice cast," Bunny snickered.

April glanced down at her arm. "Mae...painted it," she said. She pointed her umbrella at Will. "Who's that?" she asked.

"He was..." North began, and then glanced at Will and indicated he should tell her.

"Pitch had captured me last week," Will said for the third time. "I was there when he brought you in."

April frowned. "I don't remember seeing you..." she said. Will hesitated a moment before April shrugged. "I don't remember much anyway," she muttered. "Not how I died, not how I was captured..." She waved her good arm and turned to leave. Thunder rumbled in her wake as she bumped into Mae on the way out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Mae asked, leaning forward on her toes.

"Away," April said absently.

Mae glanced at the room of Guardians, and Will, with a little frown. "What did you say to her?" she asked them, hands on her hips. She looked at Jack.

"I didn't say anything," Jack said, shaking his head. "None of us did. She got angry on her own."

"Does she often get angry?" Will asked, almost intrigued.

"Yes," was the resounding reply.

"Not always," Mae argued quietly.

"No, no," Bunny stepped forward. "That girl has been angry ever since she got here."

"What I want to know is why you look exactly like Jack," Mae said, ignoring Bunny's statement and flitting up to inspect Will's face instead. "You have the same face."

Jack and Will looked at each other. "We don't look alike," Jack said stubbornly.

"I was wondering about that too," Tooth said, nodded at Mae. "Jack, do you remember having a brother?"

Jack shook his head. "I only remember my little sister."

A strange look appeared on Will's face. "I had a little sister as well. Before..." he frowned, thinking. "I remember a brother too." His eyes widened and he looked at Jack, startled.

Tooth fluttered between the two boys as they stared at each other.

"I don't see it," Jack said again, biting his lip.

"Naw, mate," Bunnymund said, hopping over to them. "You do look alike."

"Hey!" Will said, taking a step back. Tooth had grabbed his jaw and was poking his teeth.

"They even have the same teeth!" she squealed.

"I don't remember having a brother," Jack said slowly, squinting at Will.

"I do," the other boy said.

"What do you remember?" North asked, looking up from his swords.

"Before I died, I had a brother and a sister." Will looked at Jack carefully, watching his reaction. "You don't remember, do you?"

Jack shot a look towards Tooth. The other Guardians, even Mae, were looking at him like he had withheld an important secret from them. "I thought..." he stammered. "I mean...I saw my memories...from the tooth. I had a sister, but...I mean...wouldn't I have seen a brother?"

"The teeth work in the same way Manny does," Tooth said softly, pointing at the Moon just visible out the skylight. "They explain things, but never fully. You just saw the most important memory, why you died." She flew over and placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. "I think you have a brother, Jack."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Mae squeaked, clapping.

"No, hold on," Jack said, holding up a hand. "How do I know he's my brother?"

"Well," North said, clapping him hard on the shoulder. "You both look the same!"

"And you're both annoying," Bunny added with a smirk.

"Your teeth are the same," Tooth said. "And teeth don't lie." She smiled.

"Mary," Will said, interrupting the others. They looked at him curiously, but only Jack looked startled.

"What?" Jack asked, his teeth grinding.

"Mary," Will said again.

"Who's Mary?" Mae asked, glancing up at Jack.

"My sister," he answered roughly.

"Our sister," Will corrected. "Do you know what she did when she came home the day you died? She blamed herself. She was 7 and she blamed herself for your death!" He was fighting back tears as he looked at Jack.

Jack's eyes widened and he swallowed. He glanced around the room - Tooth was wringing her hands, North was pushing aside an elf, Mae looked shocked and tearful herself, and even Bunnymund was quiet.

"Jack, you know -" Mae tried to say, reaching for him. He pulled back, snatching up his staff.

"Yeah, I know it's not her fault I fell," he said. "It was mine. I'll be outside." He turned, nearly bumping into April on his way out.

"Sounds like I missed all the fun," she said, taking a sip from the glass of water she was carrying.

"Not really," Will muttered. He moved to go after Jack, but Mae held up a hand.

"I'll talk to him," she said to the group, hurrying out of the room.

"And by 'talk' she means 'kiss,'" Bunny said a moment later.

"What did you say?" April demanded, thunder rumbling as she twirled her umbrella around to point at Bunny.

"Hey, now, calm down," Bunny said, reaching for a boomerang. "I'm just saying she looks like she wants to kiss him, is all."

"I'd watch that tongue of yours, kangaroo," April snapped. "You don't know anything about Mae."

"What did you call me?" Bunny growled. He was starting to dislike April even more than Jack.

"Hey!" North shouted, startling Sandman from his nap. "Fighting will help no one," he said. "Put your umbrella down, April. Hands off the boomerang, Bunny."

"I'll move when she does," Bunny said.

"I ain't moving, wallaby," April replied.

"Come on, aren't we trying to help each other?" Will stepped in, pushing April's umbrella down.

She glanced at him, swinging the umbrella over her shoulder. "I don't like to help people," she said, and turned and walked away.

Ellis: And there's the seventh chapter! Woohoo! Not very much action but at least now we know who Will is. But does he have something sinister planned? DUN DUN DUN!

Carter: Don't forget to tell us what you think! Do you love or hate the story? Adore or loathe the characters? Let us know! We love to hear from you.

Ellis: Until next time!