The Darkness Within

Chapter One

"Guardians!" North announced. "I have summoned you all here because Man in Moon has chosen a new member." He smirked, placing his hands on his sides. "A new Guardian? Eek! This is so exciting!" Tooth exclaimed, twirling around in midair. Bunny scoffed, fiddling with his boomerang. "So long as he--or she---ain't like a certain Frost bucket, then I think we'll be alright." Sandman nudged Bunny, giving him a "Oh, stop it." look. Tooth suddenly stopped in her excitement, turning to North. "Hey.. Where is Jack anyways?"

"Woohoo! Faster, Jack! Faster!" Jamie said. Jack and Jamie were pulling another sledding stunt, though they knew exactly what happened last time. But either way, the winter spirit did as he was told. "Alright. Hang on!" He said chuckling. They picked up speed. The ice trail formed faster than ever before. Jack and Jamie sped through the streets, almost crashing into pedestrians. They were about to crash into a brick house, when Jack said "Time to go!" He scooped Jamie up from the back of his shirt and flew him over the brick building, flying to the pond where his friends had been waiting. "That was amazing! Can we go again?" Jamie asked eagerly. Jack chuckled. "Maybe next time. I have a feeling the Guardians won't be all too happy since I'm late." "Aww." The kids said simultaneously. "I'll be back soon. I promise." "Well... Alright. Bye, Jack!" The kids watched as Jack flew off; icy cold wind sending a shiver down their spines.

"Gee. I hope I can make it in time." He thought to himself. Suddenly, the sound of crying reached his ear drums. Jack stopped in midair, searching for the source of the saddening sound. His eyes fell to the ground, seeing that the forest seemed to hold the source of the crying. "That voice... Why does that sound so familiar?" Without thinking, he rocketed deep into the forest.

Jack stepped cautiously, not knowing what was out there. Maybe it was a trap. Maybe someone really needed help. He didn't know. He was about to turn back, when he caught a glimpse of something through the branches. The winter spirit soon realized that that something was a girl. She had long, black hair and a purple dress. He noticed that all of the grass surrounding her was dead, including the places her hair touched. Her face was buried in her hands and she kept on uttering the word "monster." The girl looked so sad. Jack couldn't help but pity her. He decided to reveal himself.

"Hey.... Are you okay?" He asked, stepping out from behind the trees. The girl looked up, wiping a tear from her eye. "Yeah... I'm fine." Of course, Jack knew she was lying. But he decided not to say anything. "Who... Who are you?" She asked. "I'm Jack Frost." He said with a smile. Jack sat in the grass next to her, facing the side of her body. "Jack Frost?" She asked. "I thought you were a myth." The Guardian pretended to get shot in the heart. "Ouch." He said, making the girl chuckle. "What's your name?" She sniffled, wiping another tear from her eye. "Ra-" She stopped herself, remembering to leave the past behind... If that made any sense at all. Rapunzel forged another name as quickly as she could. "Ro!" She spat out. "Huh?" Jack rose an eyebrow. "My name is Ro." Rapunzel said, a little more clear. "Ro..." The winter spirit tried the name out for himself. "Is that short for something?" "Nope. It's just Ro. Always has been, always will be." She lied. "Well... Ro-" Suddenly, a vision came to Jack's head. It was about his past... The girl he had rescued was all over his mind in an instant.

"Jack... I'm scared." Looking down, the princess watched as the ice beneath her skates began to crack. "It's okay! It's okay! It's gonna be okay.." Jack had thrown his skates off and crouched there for a moment, thinking of a way to save his closest friend before it was too late. Suddenly, an idea popped into his mind.

"Hey! How 'bout we have a little fun instead?" Jack said, still smiling. "Yeah... Lets play hopscotch! Like we always do." He suggested. "Hopscotch? Jack I'm gonna fall!" Rapunzel whined. "No you're not. Would I trick you?" "Yes! You always play tricks!" "Well... Not this time. I'll go first, alright." His eyes fell to the ice. Taking a deep breath, Jack started.

"One.." He stepped to his right, feeling the ice crack beneath his bare foot. Knowing that Rapunzel was still afraid, he pretended to lose his balance. "Woah!" It made the princess chuckle. "Two..." He stepped closer and quicker towards his staff, taking a huge leap away from the crack in the ice. "Three." As he took his third leap, Jack was able to reach his staff. He remained in his crouched position as he aimed the hook in Rapunzel's direction. "Now it's your turn." Jack said.

She looked down at her feet; her fear returning back to her. But she moved as Jack counted. "One..." She took a small baby step towards him. "Two..." Another baby step. "Three!" He hooked his staff around Rapunzel's waist, yanking her towards him as he fell in her place. "Jack, you did it!" The princess smiled at her savior, tucking a strand of long brown hair behind her ear. Jack smiled brightly. "See! I told you!" Suddenly, just as he was about to step towards her, the ice beneath his feet cracked. It gave in, forcing Jack to fall into the freezing cold waters of the pond. "Jack!"

"Jack?" Rapunzel asked. "Jack, what's wrong?" She looked at him, concerned. "You-you're... You...." He stuttered. The princess was afraid that he had found out who she really was. A monster that inflicted death on whatever she touched. Although it was a little obvious, considering that she was surrounded by dying grass. Suddenly, a burst of light shone throughout the forest. Large hairy creatures came through a... Portal? The princess was confused. They threw a sack over her, scooping her up. "Hey! Let me go!" She demanded. Jack stood up almost immediately. "Put her down!" Jack grabbed his staff and pointed it at the yetis when they threw Rapunzel into the portal. "What's going on!?" He asked angrily. "Mmmgfablablablabla." They responded. The teenager rolled his eyes, knowing that their information would be useless. He would have to talk to North about this. Sighing in frustration, he jumped through the portal, heading to the North Pole.