*walking down the chapel path grumbling*

Jack Frost (RoTG): *drops down from clouds* Sounds like someone needs some joy. *flips stick around a few times*

You could say that again, but I don't have time right now.

Jack: That busy, huh?

..... I hate Mondays.

Jack: Ahh... Well, whatcha working on?

Cleaning, organizing, possibly more adulty stuff that's boring.

Jack: Sheesh, that does sound boring. *freezes a falling leaf* Well, if you want, when you are done adulting, North wanted to see you.

*smirks* Am I threatening your naughty list position?

Jack: *snickers* You never have.

*rolls eyes* I could if I wanted too... I'm just too busy. Speaking of which, I need to get back to work. I will meet up with ya at my place tonight around six. Sound good?

Jack: Sure.

Oh and Jack?

Jack: *turns as he starts to float away* Hm?

Don't freeze the lake again... It's almost March

Jack: I would never! *flies away as the snow slowly falls* See ya later, Avia!

*sighs* That butthead, I swear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That evening, just as I finish up and begin the walk back to my car, I feel an odd, cold sense of dread send shivers down my spine. It also didn't help that Jack had made it even colder earlier, but thankfully it didn't freeze the lake...

Just made it sloshy like a slushie.

I try to squeeze my arms closer to my chest without moving my hands from my pockets. Even though it was still slightly light outside, it was dark enough to make me gaze around constantly, making sure nothing was following me. After that dread I just felt, I figure I already know what Santa wanted to talk about.

Pitch must be back...

And he's got a grudge.

Specifically against Jack and Stardust, a Nightmare that was infused with Jack's magic after his first major attack against the boogeyman. She was with the Guardians, but not completely one of them since she is part Pitch, however. Jack and Bunny help her the most and accepted her easily, and Sandman actually enjoys her company. They talk quite a bit, but no one knows what they talk about.

Anyway, that's beside the point. If North needs to see me, then that means this whole thing could be much more dangerous than even I could imagine... But Jack didn't seem worried. Am I being paranoid? Maybe it's just a new project he wants to talk about! I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a moment. I needed to calm down. I was overthinking all of this.

Sudden rattling echoes around and my eyes snap open wide. I turn on my heel and gaze around. Nothing, and yet the sound echoes again and I whip forward to spot absolutely nothing once more. Once the noise returns, I gaze up to spot a large, shrivel cluster of.....

Seeds...

Hanging on a vine...

Clacking together in the wind.

I growl and stalk forward, feeling tenser now. I needed to relax. Pitch was gone and not coming back for a while. Jack and Stardust had made sure of that. I had even witnessed it myself....

And yet, why am I getting a cold chill down my spine as if I am being watched?

Ignoring the feeling, for now, I make my way through the parking lot and head straight towards the only vehicle currently residing in it: My lovely Toyota Camry. The closer I get, the safer I start to feel. All I had to do was get in my car, then I would be fine. I could activate the snowball in the engine to open a portal to the North Pole and be with the Guardians and everything will be fine!

Just keep telling yourself that. Everything will be fine.

As I finally reach the door, I stretch out my hand and barely make it to the handle when the lights around me flicker. The wind blows just right and I spot black dust softly float in front of me before flying away with the breeze.

Fear flows through me and I yank open my car door before basically jumping in and slamming it shut and locking the doors. Gasping for air, hold my steering wheel tightly and gaze around outside. The moon was blocked out by clouds, which didn't help my dread, but I couldn't spot anything lurking about outside. I take a deep breath and rest my head against my headrest. I needed to relax, but I couldn't...

Something was wrong...

"You seem a bit jumpy lately, my dear."

With wide eyes, I lock onto my rearview mirror and gasp as I meet the bright golden eyes of Pitch Black. He was lounging in my back seat with his hands crossed over his lap. I turn to face him, pressing up against my steering wheel to try and get away from him.

"You seem to think I mean you harm. Relax, Avia, I only want you to send the Guardians a message for me." His face hardens into a frown and he leans forward, closing the gap between us slightly. "I want you to tell them that I am not through with them. They won that battle, but they haven't won the war."

My breathing accelerated, and he smirks. "I better be off. We don't want your friends to worry too much... Not yet at least." He leans back and disappears into the shadow of my car, and I try to take a deep breath. I needed to relax, to breathe. This was bad, yeah, but I needed to warn the others, and if I don't calm down...

My heart rate finally steadies and I slowly turn back around in my seat and face the steering wheel. I feel my body shake as another breath comes through, making me hold back tears. He had made me see a vision of my worst fear just before he left as if showing me what he meant by his words.

Carefully, with a sniff, I push on the brake and push the on button for my car. As it revs to life, the radio screen fizzles on, showing five different areas to travel to. I pick the one of two with snow and it speaks over the speakers, "Destination: North Pole." A portal appears in front of me and I deactivate the brake before pressing the gas and driving through. A single tear threatens to fall, so I brush it away. I had to stay strong... I had to...

Or everyone will fall.