Rise of the Unknown

Chapter 1

"Darn, looks like the children of Earth are in danger again. I gotta find Manny." Emma rushed out of the control room as quickly as she could. That's when she ran into one of the rabbits. They were a bit like the Pookas, but not exactly.

"Watch it" One of the overgrown rabbits growled picking Emma up by her green hood.

"You guys better put me down! I have important news to deliver to Man-in-the-moon."

"Just 'cause he took you under his wing, doesn't mean you out-rank us!" growled another.

"Yeah, 'cause I did that with out Manny's help!" the girl twisted and squirmed. The giant rabbits laughed, until they began to smell bar-be-que.

"Put the girl down!" Polaris glared at the Moon Pookas. She was glowing white hot and her sliver eyes grew icy. She was only 16, well 716 if you want to get technical, although she appeared 19. "NOW!" This time Polaris raised her voice.The Moon Pookas quickly dropped Emma on her butt. "Now get to your stations! We are at war here misters!"

As soon as the Pookas marched off, Polaris helped Emma up.

"Thanks, North" Emma smiled. Polaris rolled her eyes.

"I told you not to call me that, and you're welcome."

"Well I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to get Manny. The kids are in danger again." Emma dashed off to find Manny. She decided to check his room first. If he wasn't there she'd check with his wife.

"Emma, is something wrong?" Kaguya Hime answered once Emma got to Manny's room.

"The children are in trouble ma'm."

"Oh, dear. Honey?" The princess turned behind her. "Pitch is causing trouble again."

"On my way!" Emma heard Manny call. She nodded to Kaguya Hime and dashed off to her post in the control room.

After a while, she was joined by Manny. He began to check the computers. His fingers whizzed across the keyboard like a race car on a race track. Emma watched in awe at the speed Manny completed his work.

"We're gonna need a new guardian," Manny mumbled.

"Are new guardian?!" Emma exclaimed. Emma always wanted to watch Manny chose a new guardian. Most of all she wanted to be that new guardian.

"Here's a good one. It's time you served your purpose." Manny nodded. He pressed a button and a large reflector rose from the ground. Manny covered Emma eyes just as the glass reflected the sun beam towards Earth.

When it was over he typed:Jackson Frost

Emma frowned. "Who's that?" A statue of pure moon crystal materialized on the transporters. A bunch of mechanical arms hammered, and clanged the features of a 18 year old boy.

Emma felt her cheeks green. Who was he and why was he so familiar?

"He's really cute," Emma heard herself mutter.

"He's your father." At first Emma thought that she'd imagined it. Manny was still concentrated on sending out the sculpture. However when Emma saw the look on Manny's face she knew she heard what she thought.

"My.. my father?" Manny seemed to age twice as fast in that moment. Man in Moon appeared differently to each person. Normally Emma saw him as a man in his mid-thirties. Dark hair with a tad bit of grey and silver eyes. To view him as Emma did at that moment, think of him, but older. Same strong jaws, same silver eyes, more grey hair, a bushy beard, and a more tired expression.

"Can we talk about this over a drink?" Manny placed a hand on the teenager's shoulder. Emma just stared in shock. Manny gently lead the girl down the corridor to the kitchen. The girl was quiet until they neared the kitchen. Then..

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Manny continued walking and the girl followed , but the short walk to the kitchen seemed to take forever. Each step grew heavier and heavier. Even breathing was a difficulty. Emma's eyes grew heavy.

"M..Manny?" Emma whimpered before everything went black.

The world smelled of gym socks, a hot summer day, and Manny's cooking. Emma wrinkled her nose is disgust. The next sense to kick in was hearing. She was glad to hear Polaris, but could she be any louder?

"Emma?? Emma!! Oh please, wake up!!! Manny.... It's not working!!!"

"Will you please calm down, Polaris?"

"Emma don't you dare die!" A sharp pang ran through Emma's head. She could feel Polaris violently shaking her, again.

"Ow," Emma groaned.

"Manny! She said something!"

"I know, I heard. She can feel again. You might want to stop shaking her..." The hands released the grip on Emma immediately. She opened her eyes to a blurred and merged world. Slowly the background sharpened. Then the foreground.

Emma frowned. She was in the kitchen with Manny and Polaris standing above her. Polaris was glowing nervously as she played with the ends of her long hair.

"Wha... What happened?" Emma moaned. Her head felt as if it had been cracked open with a hammer. Manny walked over to the stove and poured a laddle of steamy, green liquid in a cup.

"You fainted," Manny started calmly as he made his way over to Emma with the cup. "Here, drink this."

Polaris helped Emma sit up and brought the steamy liquid to Emma's lips. Emma spat the drink out immediately spraying Polaris and Manny.

"What is this stuff?" Manny looked offended.

"It's tea." Polaris gave Emma a nervous look. The girl loved to over-react if anything happened to Emma. Even anything as small as a little headache.

"You let Manny make it didn't you?" Emma's face turned vomit green.

"I did not have a choice. It is so unpleasant smelling, that it would surely wake the dead." Emma and Manny gave Polaris a funny look. "Did I say anything wrong?"

Emma and Manny ignored the question and laughed. Polaris' cheeks began to glow as she looked down and played with the bottom of her dress.

"Nothing North. Just ignore it," Emma clutched her stomach as Manny smiled at two girls.

"Polaris, if you don't mind I'd like to speak with Emma alone," Manny politely excused the star. She clutched the sprite's hand, but reluctantly let go. She hesitantly walked away glancing at Emma before closing the door.

"Why didn't you tell me about him before?" Emma questioned as soon as Polaris was gone.

"Emma." Manny rubbed his forehead awkwardly. "I wanted to tell you. I promise you I did, but I couldn't."

"But, why not?" Emma face was hurt, betrayed, and sadden.

"You wouldn't understand. I had to do what I did." Emma knew better than to question Man in Moon's decision, but she wanted to know.

"Manny, please tell me." Man in Moon shook his head.

"Maybe when you're older."

"Could I at least see him? Can I go to him?" Emma pleaded.

Manny looked solemnly at Emma. "You don't want to do that."

"Yes I do."

"No, Emma, you don't."

"Manny, I do! He's my father!" Emma was stubborn and intent on seeing her father. Manny knew this.

"EMMA JANE FROST, I FORBID YOU TO LEAVE THIS CASTLE!" Emma was taken aback. Manny had never yelled at her before. Her eyes watered. Manny saw what he'd done and tried to comfort the girl, but she only pushed him away.

"I..just.. I just wanted to meet him," Emma stammered before running off.

"Emma. Emma!" Manny called after her, but it was too late. Emma was gone.