Rise Of The Guardians - The Life Of A Spirit

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Jack was leaning against one of the pillars of the Globe Room, rubbing his wrist which was finally starting to return to its normal colour, when Tooth arrived, a small cluster of fairies close on her tail.

"What's going on?" she demanded, gaze darting between North and Jack frantically. "What's happened? Is everyone okay?"

"Calm down, Tooth," North said, "Everything is... well, not fine. But it could be worse."

She stared at him for a beat before spinning to face Jack.

"What does that mean? Are you hurt?"

He shrugged, pulling his sleeve back down over his wrist.

"Just wait until the others get here," North said calmly, "We will explain everything then."

Bunny was the next to arrive, a tunnel opening straight from the floor and he leaped out, hands going for his boomerangs as he looked around warily.

"What's happening?" He demanded angrily, seeing no apparent need for their gathering. He spun to Jack. "What did you do now?"

"Why do you always assume it's my fault?" Jack retorted. "But yeah. I guess it is my fault this time."

Before Bunny could respond, Sandy gracefully drifted down from the skylight, the biplane he'd summoned from Dreamsand dissipating.

"We're all here," Tooth said, spinning to North, "Now what's going on?"

North sighed and gestured to Jack. "Would you like to explain?"

"Not really," he replied but stood up and, in as few words as possible, recounted the events that had transpired not two hours ago.

"So let me get this straight," Bunny said after Jack had finished, "Your spirit friends told you not to go looking into this other Winter spirit... so you went and did the exact opposite?"

Despite the situation, Jack couldn't help the crooked smirk that formed on his face.

"You know me," he replied, "When do I ever do what I'm told?"

"Jack, this is serious!" Tooth exclaimed, "This Jok-"

"Don't say his name!" Jack interrupted, all traces of humour gone, "That's what got me into this mess."

"Fine. This 'Other Spirit' almost killed four yetis and stole your power! We need to figure out a way to stop him!"

Jack was silent, not out of sullenness or fear, but from distraction. He stared out of the skylight where the Arctic stars were shining. One in particular seemed to be shining brighter than the rest... and getting closer.

The other followed his gaze.

"What is that?" North demanded, reaching for his swords.

Jack squinted, gripping his staff tighter, as the glowing golden light became clearer. And much, much angrier.

"JACK FROST!!!"

"Oh shi-"

WHAM!

The fireball smashed directly into Jack, his staff going flying as burning fingers tightened around his throat and he was slammed into the side of the Globe with enough force to cause the lights to flicker briefly.

"WHAT DID YOU DO???" Alsayf screamed into his face as he desperately attempted to shield himself from the waves of heat radiating off of her.

Jack gasped, trying to pry her hands away from his throat. Through the blinding light, he glimpsed a flash of Dreamsand wrap around her arm and yank her backwards. Without his staff, he dropped, a painful gasp escaping his bruised and burned neck before Tooth promptly swooped down and plucked him from the fall, depositing him safely back amongst the Guardians.