Why Don't You Love Me?

Chapter 10: A Little Fun in Burgess

The only thing that Jack could think about as he flew to the North Pole wasn't Rapunzel's brown hair or even her fiancé, but what kind of gift that would be right to thank her for giving him the chance to feel her heartbeat, because it really meant a lot to him. Jack was sure that Rapunzel must have felt uncomfortable doing that, especially from the fact she had been wearing just a bathrobe, but he truly believed that she was dead, and so that was the only way for him to know for sure that she was really alive. This gift couldn't be frost lanterns, since Jack had already showed those to Rapunzel when she lived in the tower, and it couldn't be frost bunnies either, considering the fact he just showed those to cheer her up back inside her room in the castle of Corona. Perhaps it should be something from one of his fellow Guardians, such as a personal tour of North's Workshop or a visit to Bunny's Warren, or maybe a bag of Sandy's Dreamsand so that Rapunzel would always get to have sweet and peaceful dreams instead.

Suddenly, the expression of hope and anticipation that Jack had on his face disappeared when he began thinking more about his friends. Would the four of them really approve of Jack having this kind of contact with a young woman who wasn't even immortal like they were? Jack remembered that if if wasn't for him making a child believe in their existence, then they never would've been able to defeat Pitch. Any sort of thoughts Jack was having about what the Guardians would think of his friendship with Rapunzel vanished from his mind.

It wouldn't be odd for Jack to be late to the meeting, because he was always late, and his friends never did bother asking him what took so long. He saw North's workshop come into sight, and Jack usually preferred to make a big entrance so that everyone knew he finally arrived. With the help of the wind, Jack opened up a window and let a cold breeze go through the entire workshop as he went inside of it. Jack caught a glimpse of Bunny ruffling his fur and Tooth rubbing her feathery arms before his feet landed gracefully on the stone floor.

"What's up, guys, sorry to get you all chilly." Jack said, while sticking one hand in his hoodie pocket and leaning against his staff.

"That's what you always say, but at least you showed up." Bunnymund replied, before turning around to face North. "What's going on, mate?"

"Pitch has returned," North declared solemnly, and each Guardian's eyes widened. "He has not returned exactly, but he's getting stronger."

"Stronger, but how that's possible," Jack inquired, as he stepped forward. "The only way that can happen is if Pitch has believers." He added.

"Yes, that is correct, but people do believe in him now and I'll show you." North responded, while he walked closer toward the Globe of Belief.

"Although lights have been flickering in many locations, there are other lights that have just turned off in some of them." North explained.

He pressed a few controls to have the Globe turn in his direction so that he could show the other Guardians what locations he was talking about.

"Lights have gone off in a few cities across America, and especially in the same city where we fought Pitch; Burgess, Pennsylvania." North revealed.

Jack's eyes widened once again from knowing that Pitch was gaining believers in the exact same town where Jamie and his family lived.

"So, North, what's the plan?" Jack asked, as he wanted to protect how many kids were left in Burgess that hadn't been affected by Pitch.

"I suggest we send out a worker of our own to keep watch on each of these states, to make sure Pitch doesn't come back." North answered.

Jack didn't have any helpers like North had his elves and yetis, while Tooth had her mini-fairies, but he never found that to be a problem.