You woke up the next morning, only to find the other side of the bed empty. Jack was nowhere in sight. You felt a pang of sadness, but got over it. What were you expecting? To be all snuggled up next to him? His arms wrapped around you, holding you close in his sleep?

Maybe.

You got out of bed and got dressed, getting ready to start a long day. You’d finish repairing the bows today, and then you’d catch up on arrows.

When you entered cupids bedroom and saw that none of them were there. Then you heard the sounds of machines. You flew to to the workshop to find all the cupids in full swing. You smiled. they had already finished repairing the bows and were less than 100 arrows away from being caught up.

You were so proud of your cupids. They knew that you had been stressed about being behind, Valentines day only being three months away. Them catching up on their own just made you so happy.

You decided you should go and do some of your own work in your office.

~*~

Jack hadn’t really left. He had woken up early and told the cupids that they could probably surprise you by getting an early start on everything. They agreed wholeheartedly.

While they had gotten started, he had snuck into your office and started looking for whatever it was you didn’t want him seeing yesterday. What was so special you wouldn’t tell him? What was so precious that it had to be kept in a box?

He looked around for a moment and started rummaging through the bookshelves. When he didn’t find anything there, he moved to the chest that was in the corner. Opening it up, he saw the box from yesterday.

Gently, he lifted it and placed it on his lap. He took a deep breath, then opened it.

Inside was the bracelet he had given you.

This was your most precious possession? He’d thought you had forgotten it, or simply didn’t care for it anymore. His heart soared with happiness, but it was short lived. He heard you land outside the door and quickly returned everything to the way it was. Just in time too.

“Jack? What are you doing here?” you asked as you entered, genuinely surprised to see him. “I thought you left.” you added. He just gave you a crooked smile.

“I was just waiting for you to wake up. Did you like the surprise this morning?” he asked you. You smiled and nodded.

“I wonder what got into them?” you asked yourself out loud. Jack started to fidget with his staff.

“I may have . . . told them it would make you feel better . . . if they got started early.” he mumbled out. You were shocked, he had asked them to? For you? You were going to say something when a cupid came in and told you that they were all caught up. You smiled.

“Great work.” you said and happened to glance out the window. That’s when you saw the Northern Lights. North was calling a meeting. “Oh no. Keep working. I need to go. I’ll be back soon.” you told the cupid and looked at Jack, who was also looking out the window.

“This isn’t looking good.” he said. You both walked to the window and took off, asking the wind to help you get there faster.

As you were flying, you couldn’t help but wonder why Jack had done that for you. You shook your head, putting those thoughts away for now.

~At Norths~

You both arrived and saw that almost everyone was there. The only one missing was Sandy.

“Where’s Sandy?” You asked. North just shook his head.

“He has been captured by Pitch. We need to save him or else he will disappear, like last time.” North said. You gripped your scepter. What was Pitch playing?

“Do you know where he is?” Jack asked. North shook his head again and everyone went silent. Then you all heard a noise. The sound of sand. You looked around and saw black sand floating everywhere.

“If you all want to know where your dear friend is, then come to the dear town where you we last met. Oh, and [Name], you’re the new Guardian?” he asked you. None of you could see him, so it was hard to know where he was.

“Like you didn’t know. First you attack my cupids, then you steal my friend? You better be prepared to pay for this.” you said threateningly. He just laughed at your threat.  

This angered you.

“You better hurry. I won’t keep Sandman safe for long.” he said and all the sand vanished. There was silence all around, before North broke it.

“Everyone, suit up, we need to be ready to face Pitch. Meet back here at sunset.” he told everyone then turned to the Yetis and told them to prepare the sleigh.

You left and returned to your domain. You gathered your cupids and told them what was happening. Some shook in fear, and some were worried about you. You assured them that everything was going to be fine and that you’d return soon. In the meantime, they would work as usual, and you assigned the temporary Head.

You grabbed your bow and quickly made some of your own special arrows for the fight.

“You really are prepared for everything, aren’t you?” you jumped at the voice and turned around to see Jack right behind you.

“I wouldn’t say everything. And shouldn’t you be getting ready too?” you asked. He shrugged.

“All I’ll ever need is right here.” he said, pointing to his staff. You nodded. An awkward silence fell on you and neither of you moved. “Listen [Name], I came here to tell you something.” he said, looking away with a light blush on his cheeks.

“What is it Jack?” you asked. He looked at you and walked up to you slowly. Then, to your surprise and joy, he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close to him. You hesitated, but eventually, you wrapped your arms around him as well.

“Be safe, and careful.” was all he said. You nodded and he gave you a squeeze before releasing you.

You strapped everything to your back, then you both left for North’s again.

When everyone had gathered again, you all piled into Norths sleigh(much to Bunnymunds horror) and were off. It was night by the time you arrived at the meeting spot. You all got out and you comforted Bunnymund as he recovered from the ride up.

Looking around, Jack spotted a stream of golden sand.

“Hey guys, it’s Sandy’s.” he said, you all started to follow it. It led you through town to the park, where there was no other light. It was silent for a moment, not even a gust of wind. Then Sandy’s sand turned black.

“Caught you.” was all the warning you got before nightmares attacked.

“It was a trap!” Tooth shouted as she sliced through the nightmares with her wings.

“I think we can all see that!” Bunnymund shouted. You looked around and found that you were surrounded. You shot arrow after arrow at the nightmares, destroying them with every hit. But it didn’t seem to be helping. More and more kept coming.

It was looking hopeless, and you had just run out of arrows. You grabbed your scepter and got an idea. With as much determination and power as you could muster, you lifted your scepter up and smashed the bottom onto the ground. A wave of power rippled from your scepter and washed through the park.

Almost all the nightmares perished by the blast, and the ones that survived countered away. Everyone looked at you in awe. You were out of breath from the power discharge, but smiled back at them.

“Looks like i’m more powerful than I thought.” you said weakly.