A Book of ROTG Oneshots

The Crushing Reality

I don't own rise of the Guardians

They say that we need physical contact. That we need it at least once a year. That we should have physical contact with someone – another spirit – for at least five minutes a year. That we shouldn't limit the physical contact to just that amount of time.

That to be at full strength, the amount of contact we need from another is at least ten minutes a week, no less.

That makes me wonder. It makes me think. It makes me think back to my past. To the lonely past I have lived as a spirit.

A small, sad smile touches my lips, though if you were to look into my eyes, all you would see is the pain.

"Jack," I hear Tooth's voice filled with happiness come from behind me, so I turn around while changing the emotions on my face to become happy and carefree – there is no need for them to become worried; "how are you today? We haven't seen you for a few weeks now."

"I'm fine." I smile through the lie, not wanting to worry her. "How are you?"

"I'm great." Tooth's wings are fluttering quick, keeping her aloft to the same height as me – I am sitting on a tree branch high up.

"Did you want something Tooth?" I question, changing position so I'm leaning back against the trunk of the tree.

"We were wandering if you wanted to help us at the North Pole? North always asks if we Guardians want to come over to help around this time of year or to just relax a bit."

I process everything she said quickly, getting quite used to how fast she can speak.

"I'll come and help. I know Christmas is less than a month away." I reply standing up on the tree branch, my staff in one hand. "How are we getting there?"

"I was hoping you knew the quickest way." Tooth answers embarrassed. "Otherwise, we can contact one of the others. Or we can fly there."

"I don't have a way to travel places quickly at the moment." I tell her.

It is the truth, but also a lie. I do have a way to travel places... though it's complicated. And it hasn't been working for decades. If I were to attempt to travel the both of us, I would probably accidently create a blizzard. Like I have before.

Just remembering what happened last time, makes me sadder, although I hide it.

"So, we can either fly or contact one of the others." I finish.

"What do you think about flying there?"

"I'm alright with that." With my reply, I give her a nod and smile.

Luckily, she doesn't see any of the worry swirling around in my eyes at the idea of flying.

With one last look at each other, we take off into the air. We fly to the North Pole, to North's workshop. His home. We get there after just over an hour of flying – we can both fly quite quick. When we get there, we land on a balcony where North, Sandy and Bunny are.

For my landing, I stumble slightly, though it is unnoticed by everyone which I am glad about.

"Tooth, Jack!" North calls, his tone full of joy. "How are you both?"

Tooth starts talking excitedly, and I wait until she finishes.

"I'm good." I reply – another lie that none can see through. "Now, do you need any help with anything North?"

"Yes, yes, yes. Come with me." I watch as he starts to walk away, a bounce in his step, as the rest of us start following.

Quickly, we come to the room where most of the toys are created. I always forget the name of this room. Not sure why, I just do. I can never remember the name. No matter what technique I try.