Rise of the Guardians 2: Return of the Nightmare King

A Fierce Battle

Jack's P.O.V

"Are you sure about this, mate?" Bunny crossed his arms and frowned at me. I rolled my eyes, putting one hand on my hip.

"The clouds were literally vanishing in thin air, Cottontail," I wiggled my fingers in the air to prove my point. Bunny ignored the nickname, instead he grabbed my shoulders, holding them in place. I resisted the urge to pull away from him. I hated being restrained, but he was my best friend. He wouldn't do this unless he was serious.

"Look," he paused for a moment to sigh, "you can't be wrong about this."

"I know what I saw!" was he seriously saying that I was making this up?

"I don't doubt you, I just," he groaned. Whatever he had to say he was really having a hard time getting it out. "This is a risky plan and I," he released my shoulders to pinch the bridge of his nose, "I can't lose another person I care about okay?!" That was what he worried about? I was surprised that he actually admitted that aloud to me. Bunny wasn't one to admit those kinds of things usually. He must be really worried if he said that to me.

"Bunny," I said seriously, "I've been thinking about her too. I will not let Pitch get away with what he did to Angela, and I won't let him kill anyone. I promise I won't let anyone else get hurt, including me. I've got your back, and I know you've got mine as well." I gave him a reassuring smile to let him know that I was being serious. Truthfully, I didn't want to lose him either. We may have hated each other in the beginning, but I thought of Bunny as my brother now. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost him.

"Thanks Frostbite," he punched my shoulder playfully, "that means a lot. I'm serious." I waved him off.

"Don't mention it," I spread my arms out wide, "come on, let's hug it out." I was half-kidding, but Bunny pulled me into a tight embrace anyway. Bunny rarely hugged anyone, even his close friends, but when he did, it always made me feel safe. Of course, I wasn't about to tell him that because that would boost his already slightly inflated ego. I let myself lean into his soft fur and wrap my arms around his long torso. He was warm, like, really warm, but I guess he was an animal. Animals tended to have higher body temperatures compared to humans. Bunny let go of me and cleared his throat.

"Don't mention this to anyone," he pointed a finger at me, "got that, Frosty?" I nodded and crossed my heart.

"My lips are sealed," I grinned.

"Guys, are you ready to go?" Tooth hovered in the doorway.

"Alright, sheila we're coming," Bunny thumped past me and out the door. Tooth and I followed him out the door and into the launch area. Since we got back enough believers, the sleigh and the reindeer were back to normal. I was glad too. I hated seeing the poor things starving.

"Ach, it's fine!" North waved off a yeti with a wrench. I chuckled at that. He hopped into the drivers seat. "What are you all waiting for? Get in!" I could feel the energy and excitement in the air. It was the same energy we all felt before Angela died. Before I knew it, North cracked the reins and we were off. Bunny held on for dear life, but he managed not to scream this time. I almost forgot how much I loved riding in the sleigh. Something about the wind whipping through your hair and the crisp air hitting your cheeks was invigorating. It was the same as riding the wind for me. It calmed my nerves just a bit.

"Can we go through the plan one more time?" Tooth asked while fiddling with her fingers.

"Tooth, we've been through the plan about a dozen times already," Bunny rolled his eyes.