"It's nothing personal of course", Jack was saying as the lift North, jack and Dia was riding in stopped. "Guardian, that's just not my thing".

"Man in moon says it is your thing", North responded as he lead them forward. The floor was full of dozens of Yetis bustling around as they made toys. One walked up and held something up for North to sign which he did with a wave of his hand.

"Slow down would ya", Jack protested. "I've been trying to bust in here for years, I want a good look". He glanced around appreciatively.

"What do ya mean bust in here?" North asked.

"Relax, I never made it past the yeti", Jack soothed. "Oh Hey Phil". One yeti grinned at him, thumping it's fist in a threatening gesture. Dia chuckled as Jack held up his hands in surrender before skipping after North.

"I thought it was the elves who made the toys", Jack asked as they past multiple workstations were yetis were busy building all sorts of toys, from trucks to boxes.

"Just let them believe that", North whispered. Dia and jack both stopped to watch as an elf decorated like a Christmas tree was electrocuted. The lights wrapped around him lit up as the little elf began to turn in a circle.

"Very nice", North grinned at them. "Keep up good work", he said as he pulled Jack and Dia along.

"Hey, skull boy", Jack spoke. Dia turned to look at him. "What do you think of this place?"

"It's not bad. You should see the land of the dead", Dia grinned. "Now that is amazing".

"Is that an offer Ghost boy?" Jack smirked.

"Only if you want to take it", Dia replied with a smirk of his own.

They were interrupted by North throwing open a door. Inside was a sort of study/workshop area. Ice carvings littered the tops of desks and many shelves of books lined the wall.

"Fruitcake?" North offered holding a small dish.

"Um, no thanks", both Dia and Jack muttered. North shrugged and threw the cake into a corner with a crash.

"Now we get down the real business", North mutter, cracking his knuckles menacingly.

"What?" Dia gasped as the door slammed shut and bolted behind them.

"Who are you Jack Frost, Dia De Los Muertos?" North demanded stepping forward. He backed the boys back against the door, easily bigger that both of the teens combined. Dia had to admit that he was slightly intimidated.

"What is your centre?" North pointed.

"My What?"
"My centre", both Dia and Jack asked, confused.

"If man in moon chose the both of you then you must have something very special inside", North stated. He pulled back and hummed in thought. Moving to the nearest shelf, he plucked up a Russian doll.

"This is how you see me. Big, intimidating, but if you get to know me a little..." he handed the doll to Dia who took it with a quizzical expression. "Go on".

Seriously weirded out, Dia tugged off the top half of the first doll to reveal a smiley faced one underneath. "You're down right jolly?" It came out more of a question.

"But not just Jolly!" North exclaimed as Dia pulled off the next doll. "I am also mysterious and fearless, and caring. But at my centre", North paused as Dia tipped the last doll into his hand.

"There's a tiny wooden baby", Dia said.

"Look closer, North urged.

Jack sighed. "Um you have big eyes".

"Yes!" North exclaimed. "Big eyes! Very big because they are full of wonder. Eyes that were born to see the wonder in everything". Jack and Dia watched in amazement as the toys littering the study came alive and started moving around the room.

"Lights in trees and glitter in the air", North continued as he lead them back out into the main workshop. Dia and Jack gasped as they watched the toy planes come alive, flying around the room, seeing it in a new light. "This is what I put into the world, what I protect in children. It is what makes me a guardian. It is my centre. What is yours?"

"I don't know", Jack answered. Dia remained silent, eyes choosing to fix themselves on the floor. He watched as North took the tiny wooden doll and pressed it into Jack's hand, ignoring the pang of shame a sadness in his heart. He heard the pattering of paws and looked up a Bunny came bounding over.

"We have a problem Mate", he said. "Trouble at Tooth palace".

North pushed open the huge oak doors, the others trailing behind him. It lead to a room carved out of ice. Around them, Yetis hurried in an effort to get things ready for take off.

"I'm not going with you guys", Jack protested, dodging some of the yetis. "There is no way that I'm getting in to some rickety old sleigh". As he spoke the sound of hooves could be heard as the reindeer rounded a corner tugging behind them a large red sleigh equipped with wings and a very cool looking steering system.

"Heck yeah!" Dia cheered, hopping inside. "I've always wanted to do this". He caught Jack's surprise gaze. "What? Frozen your tongue ice boy?" He asked teasingly.

"Okay, one ride, but that's it", Jack relented.

North beamed in triumph as everyone boarded. "Everyone loves the sleigh. Bunny what are you doing?"

"I think I might take my tunnels. They are quicker", Bunny gave the sleigh a worried glance. "And safer".

"Nonsense", North huffed as he yanked bunny inside. "Buckle up".

"Where are the seatbelts?" Bunny panicked as he fumbled around.

"That was just expression", North grinned. "Are we ready? Good, let's go!" And with a flick of the reigns the reindeer bounded forwards. The sleigh picked up speed very quickly, sliding down the ice tunnel. Dia chuckled as Bunny's claws left scratches on the rail from where he was gripping.

"Whohoo!" Dia cheered as the sleigh tipped upside down. His hair fell up and into his face as he caught Jack's gaze, the both of them sharing a grin.

"I hope you like the loop de loop", North grinned back at them.

"I hope you like carrot", Bunny groaned.

The sleigh exited the tunnels and bounced off the edge of the track and up into the air as the reindeer took off. North was cheering, and Sandy had his arms in the air with a look of glee on his face. Dia just leaned back and enjoyed the feeling of the wind running through his black mane of curls.

"Hey Bunny", Jack called to Bunny who was looking rather green. Dia looked up to find the winter sprite perched on the very top of the sleigh. "Check out this view aarhhh!" Jack cried as he was blown over the edge. Dia instantly bolted to his feet and stuck his head round the side to gaze down at the ice below.

Jack was leaning leisurely against the outside of the sleigh, feet on the metal rudders as he twirled his staff. "Aww", He cooed as he saw both Dia and Bunny Looking. "You do care". He winked at Dia who was suddenly glad of his makeup which hid his blush. He ducked back into his seat and fixed his gaze strictly towards the front.

"Oh rag off ya bloody show pony", Bunny scowled before claiming safety inside the sleigh. Jack laughed and hopped back inside, taking a seat next to Dia who ignored him.

"So do you like me?" Jack asked with a slight teasing smirk. "You obviously care". Dia muttered something very rude in Spanish under his breath, inwardly cursing the cocky boy to the darkest depths of hell for his cheek.

"Oh come on", Jack pressed, angling his face into Dia's sight. "What's not to like? I'm handsome, funny".

"Modest", Dia interrupted sarcastically.

"Exactly", Jack smiled. "And I like you. You're interesting and new. Also you're the first spirit I've found whose around my age. So do you like me?" Dia was a bit thrown by Jack saying that he liked him. Dia didn't socialise much, hell he was dead for crying out loud, but now this (pretty attractive, not that Dia would admit it) winter boy was claiming to like him. It was all a bit too much

He opened his mouth to answer, thinking of what to say as his face warmed uncomfortably. "Um, I..." He began but was cut off by North.

"Hold on everyone I know a short cut".

"Oh no", Bunny whimpered, regretting the journey. "I knew I should of taken the tunnels".

North smirked and held a snow globe up to his lips. "I say Tooth palace", he whispered before throwing the globe in front of them. The glass shattered and a portal opened up in the air.

"Let's go!" North commanded and with a flip of the reins, and some screams from Bunny, the sleigh was sucked in.

Unedited