Previously:
"Centuries?" Claire laughed, "That's it, you must be insane."

Jack shook his head. "How do you explain what happened back there?" He pointed back in the direction of the still frozen Mr. Bothel.

Claire opened her mouth but no sound came out. It went like that for a while before she noticed the smug look on Jack's face. "What are you?" She asked.

Jack's smirk softened into a smile, recognizing the question for what it was. She knew he was not human. "I am an immortal," he said, "I am one of many but one of the oldest."

From the look on her face, he could tell she wanted to learn more. "Come," he said, "we will talk at my cabin."

Jack only went to the school house after that to haunt Mr. Bothel. He got along fantastically with Claire and they grew increasingly close. They never did figure you why she could see him but she did increase the fun of Jack's days tenfold.

Claire came by everyday after her chores and they talked and discussed the time from which Jack came into existence to that point in time. Claire wanted to know everything he experienced.

"What was Rome like?" She asked one day eagerly.

"The city itself or the empire?" Jack asked, laughing.

"The city," she said firmly.

"I wouldn't know, it was too far south," he answered with a chuckle. "I only visit places that would get snow or cold enough for it. Warm places make me sick."

"Oh," she said, a little deflated. "Then what about France?"

"What about it?" Jack asked back, a smile tugging at his lips.

Claire hit his arm. "You know what I am asking," she scolded.

"Do I?" Jack laughed as he dodged another punch. "Okay! Okay!"

Talking and interacting with another person who can see him physically was a welcome experience. He had not met anyone who could in a long time. He had gotten used to Ralf when he was still a human and Jack was starting to feel lonely after Ralf went into the moon. It just was not the same and he was not quite ready to reveal himself to the Guardians.

The Guardians. That is what they call themselves. Ralf calls them to defend a certain idea in the children and they meet every century or so to keep things in order. The most recent addiction was the Easter Bunny and he seemed intent on bringing Jack in. Now Jack hardly dared to stay longer after the winter season ended, much to his dislike. He was aware of the limited time he had with Claire. Nothing lasts forever.

This winter, with the prolonged absence of Mitch and Jack's over confident feeling, he slipped. Jack was a tad over eager to see Claire and he rushed to her village, drawing attention to the early winter. That is what got Mitch's attention and that is what doomed this winter from the beginning.

"How was your summer season, Claire?" He asked that night as they settled in his cabin in front of the fire. They were far enough away from it so Jack would not feel sick to his stomach but close enough for Claire to feel warm.

"Long and dull," she answered promptly. She always answered as such when he asked this. She had once explained that it was because she missed him. Now it was an inside joke between the two.

"I completely agree," Jack laughed. "Tell me, how is that old school teacher?"

"He's on his death bed," Claire said with a slight laugh. "I can not say anyone is sad to see him go; he was found to be bullying all the younger children and beating them more than what was necessary for the smallest things."

Jack had no idea what to say to that so he said nothing. They sat in silence for a while until Claire looked up at the window to see the sky getting darker.

"I've got to get going," Claire said, sitting up reluctantly. "My mother and father will be starting to worry."

"But Claire, it's bad out there," Jack protested just as a blizzard started up.

Claire gave Jack a stern look. "Jack Frost, stop right now or I will be grounded so you won't see me until the end of the season," she warned.

Immediately, the snow and wind died down and Jack smiled sheepishly. "I'll walk you home," he said, getting up after her.

"Darn right you will," Claire snapped playfully, walking out the door he held open for her. 

As they walked the long path back to the village, Claire slowly drew closer and closer to Jack, tucking her arm into his. This made Jack flush, not used to such open show of affection despite the fact that only Claire and Ralf could see him. Once they made it within the sights of the village, she let go of him or risk someone seeing her clinging to someone not there.

They were half way to her home when two boys stepped out of the shadows. Jack tensed, sure this was not going to turn out alright. Claire just squeezed his hand reassuringly behind her, out of sight of the two boys before letting go.

"What are you doing out so late, Claire?" The one closest to her asked silkily. "Someone might think you are...up to something."

I can't believe he just quoted something from the future, a voice said in Jack's head.  Way in the future.

"Ralf?" Jack asked aloud. "Is that you?"

Claire only barely refrained herself from asking him who he was talking to. "I was out for a stroll, enjoying God's creation for as long as I could before it grew dark," she answered the boy's question distractedly. "What are you doing here Declan?"

"The man in the moon is Ralf," Jack reminded her. "He just spoke to me." He turned his head to the sky, silently willing the wind to push the clouds out of the way so he could see him. "How are you doing old friend?"

I'm doing great, but you have a busy night tonight, Jack, pay attention, Ralf said.

"Says the one doing commentary in my head," Jack grumbled before turning back to watch the two boys both take a large step towards Claire. This was definitely ill-boding and Jack did not like the way they were looking at her.

"We was waiting for you to get back," Declan answered with a smirk. "Daddy got worried when you did not get home on time."

"How nice of you," Claire said dryly. "Now as you can see, I am perfectly alright so you can go now."

"Claire, doesn't this group normally have a third boy?" Jacks asked suspiciously.

Immediately, Claire looked over her shoulder in time to see the third body step out of the shadows.

"I don't think so girly-girl," the new boy sneered. He reached for Claire but before he got very far, another boy came out of nowhere.

"Ezekiel!" Claire exclaimed happily.

Jack relaxed from his tense position and smiled. Ezekiel was Claire's twin brother.  He was much bigger and stronger than Jack and when he found out about Jack and his sister, Jack was relieved for once that only Claire could see him. It took a lot of convincing to get Ezekiel to believe Claire but when he did he didn't hesitate to bring out his gun.

"Claire, what have I told you about taking this way home?" Ezekiel scolded.

"I'm fine," Claire said simply.

"You are now because I managed to get here in time," her brother said with a shake of his head.

"In case you haven't noticed," Declan sneered. "It is three to two, you're out numbered."

"Actually, we're pretty even," Jack muttered.

Claire had to cough to hide her laugh. Ezekiel's lips twitched so Jack knew he heard him. You see, while Ezekiel can't see Jack, he had the full ability to hear him. They didn't know why but Jack knew Ezekiel was glad to have at least one advantage incase Jack ever hurt Claire.

Things were still for a few moments until Jack moved closer to Declan and his friend to allow Ezekiel more room to attack the newer boy. "Now!" he shouted, inciting Ezekiel to attack the one who was going for Claire and Jack confused Declan and his friend with a sudden 'snow storm'. Claire bent over, grabbing a handful of snow and threw it at Declan's face. Jack was hoping she would take this chance and get out of the area but he figured this worked too since it gave him an excuse to knock the boys out.

"Good throw Claire," Jack complimented with the unconscious boys at his feet.

"Thanks," she breathed lightly as she pushed some loose strands of her midnight black hair out of her face.

"My, my boys, no need to get into a fight just now," a voice said that made Jack's blood run cold.

Claire noticed his face go whiter than normal at the voice. "Jack, are you alright?" She asked quietly.

All Jack did was turn to the owner of the voice at the other end of the street. "Hello, Jack," he said. "I told you I'd find you."

"Jack, who is that?" Claire asked.

"Mitch," he said. Just that one word caused Claire to go as white as Jack.

"So you've heard of me," Mitch's mad gleam in his black eyes seemed to grow at that revelation. "I'm honored Jack, I did not think that you like me that much."

"That is how much he hates you," Ezekiel grunted as the boy he was fighting finally fell unconscious from a well placed punch.

"Go away Mitch, you are not welcome here," Jack stepped in front of Claire, blocking her from any harm that might come her way.

"No, it appears I am not welcome anywhere as of right now," Mitch said sadly before a mad smile grew on his dark features. "But that is all about to change."

Before Jack could do much of anything, old familiar zombies stepped out from the shadows to grab a hold of Jack and his friends. "Nadi, it's nice to see you again," Jack said tonelessly.

All Nadi did was grunt in agreement.

"Leave them alone, Mitch," Jack said forcefully. "It's me you want."

"Quite right," Mitch said happily. "However, how can I get you to do something if I do not have any hostages?"

"You're sick," Ezekiel exclaimed.

"Thank you," Mitch said happily. "Now you can get those silly little Guardians to do what I want."

"That is what this is about?" Jack asked. "You want me to reveal myself to them and get them to accept you into their group all because Ralf said no?"

"Jack?" Claire asked questioningly.

"Mitch wanted to join the Guardians because he thought it would make him more powerful," Jack started. "Only they said no because Ralf is the one who chooses who joins the Guardians to protect the children." Jack said the last part directed at Mitch. "You never cared about the children, all you care about is yourself."

"A minor thing,' Mitch waved his hand in dismissal.

"You completed and utter clay-brained pig!" Ezekiel shouted as he started struggling. "You are unfit for any place but the devil's lair!"

"Ezekiel, no!" Jack yelled in warning. But is was too late.

The zombies were given orders long ago to kill whom ever tried to break free. The zombies holding him had no hesitation once Ezekiel tried breaking away form them. Each grabbed an arm and yanked as hard as they could. A third came up behind him and yanked on his head. Zombies are notoriously stronger than the average human and with a terrible ripping noise, both limbs tore away from his body and his head came off with one last shriek.

But Ezekiel's yell was drowned out by Claire's screams. She dared not move for fear of receiving the same treatment but Jack instinctively froze the zombies holding him and Claire and rushed to her side. He turned her head to his shoulder, not allowing her to take another glimpse at her brother's dead body.

Jack glared over Claire's head at Mitch, his fury and anger taking hold. "Mitch, you will pay for this."

Jack idly wondered why no one came running out of their homes at Claire's screams and the disgusting noises of the zombies eating her brother before he saw the shimmer in the air. Mitch put a temporary time freeze spell on their area. They would not be receiving any help form the villagers.

Mitch only laughed, pure glee emanating from him as he watched the gorey sight as a child would listen to a fascinating tale.

Suddenly, Jack could not hold it in any longer, he pushed away from Claire and ran at Mitch, small daggers made of ice in both his hands. Mitch blocked only barely in time with his hawthorn staff. "Do you really believe you can defeat me, Jack?" He taunted. "I have more power than you'll ever know."

"You think this is all a game?" Jack snarled as he went for his ribs only to be blocked yet again. "You think power is the only force that matters in this world?"

"Of course," Mitch cackled, "and I will stop at nothing to get it all."

"I've got news for you, idiot," Jack said. "There is more than one person than you in this world."

Mitch gasped dramatically. "What? No, that simply cannot be," he drawled, taking a swing at Jacks head with the staff. "I will have to fix that when I get your powers along with all the Guardians."

"No!" Claire screamed again and launched herself at Mitch, tears pouring out of her crystal blue eyes.

"Claire, no!" Jack yelled again, only this time it was for Ezekiel's sister. Once again, he was too late.

Mitch brought up his sharpened end of his staff with malicious glee as it went through Claire's chest from the force of her attack.

Jack stood in shock from what happened before he came to his senses ad he ran to Claire's side once again. This time in a panic. "Claire, speak to me, please," he whispered.

"Jack..." a faint whisper on her breath. "Jack...."

"Claire, hold on, I'll get Mr. Kale here, I don't know how but you need to hold on until I do," Jack rushed. Mr. Kale was the village's only doctor.

"Jack...I love you..." she breathed once more before slowly going limp in Jack's arms.

"Claire!" Jack yelled, almost hyperventilating now. "Claire, please, don't go! You're the only one who sees me. Claire, please don't leave me."

No response.

However, a mad cackle brought Jack out of his grief long enough to look up from the still bleeding body of his best friend and at the insane immortal in front of him.

He was laughing as Jack made eye contact with him and still laughing as a chill ran up his spine. He took no notice of the growing cold until a cold stab of pain jolted throughout his body. Jack's intense gaze never left Mitch's eyes as he slowly grew more and more stiff with every passing second. By the time he thought to do something, it was already too late. Mitch the Mad was no more.

Jack looked back down at the dead body of the one he loved in his arms, tears pouring down his face. "I'm sorry Claire," he whispered. "I should have done something."

There was nothing you could have done, Ralf said in his head. Both Claire and Ezekiel will not be forgotten. They have done their parts in this world, now you must honor them.

Jack wiped at his eyes and nodded. Standing up, he focused on the power transferred to him from the moon.

Ezekiel's now mangled body slowly formed into a fir tree, taking a protective stance over Claire's body which was turning into a small, white carnation.

An intense storm started up, covering the evidence of what happened during the gist and blowing away the dust of the zombies that had crumbled away with Mitch's death. Mitch's body was frozen and then smashed into so many pieces, Jack could not tell what was blowing snow and what was Mitch.

The boys that they had met in the beginning of the night were long gone, having woken up the second Mitch died and run off, confused.

All memory of the twins was erased to spare their parents the pain of their passing. With the storm still going strong, Jack flew away to a nearby mountain. He flew above the clouds, high enough to see the moon.

"What now, Ralf?" Jack asked after several long minutes of silence.

Now you prepare for more, Ralf said. The worse has yet to come. Did you know Mitch had a brother?

Jack sighed in resignation. "Yes," he answered sadly.

He will not like what you did to Mitch, Ralf commented heavily.

Jack nodded in agreement. "Pitch Black," he muttered. The guy was nearly as insane as his brother. He fed off he fear in others. He and Mitch had once been a formidable team but they had gone their separate ways. "How long do I have?"

About 300 years, Ralf answered. You will know when it is time. In the mean time, it is time you reveal yourself to the rest of the immortals.

The last sentence caught Jack's attention. "How will they react, do you think?" he asked nervously.

You'll be fine, Jack, Ralf chuckled. Just stay away from the Easter Bunny's egg hunts.

❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️

"We have to do something about Mitch," Sir Nicholas said, pounding his fist into the table they all sat around. "Who knows what he might do?"

"Aye," Bunny said. "He seemed pretty upset when he left last time."

"You will not have to worry about him anymore," a voice said to the side.

The Guardians immediately put their hands on their weapons. "Who's there? Show yourself!" Bunny said threateningly.

"How do you know that about Mitch?" Tooth Fairy asked.

"I am the one person who you have been looking for for a while now," the voice said again. "As for Mitch, well, I was the last person he saw before he...died." A bitter laugh sounded around the room. "I still don't know how I did that. I was just so...angry."

Sandman floated up, eyes narrowing in the direction he thought the voice was coming from. Images above his head moved and changed so quickly that those around him had no idea what he was trying to say. But the voice obviously had no problems with that.

"How did I get in here?" The voice asked. "Let's just say that you all need to up your security." The voice laughed again, only this time it seemed more genuine. Suddenly a boy with pale skin and white hair stepped out of the shadows. "It is kind of sad."

"The white haired boy," Sir Nicholas whispered.

"That is what you're calling me?" The boy asked, a smirk on his lips. "Kind of long don't you think? Try Jack Frost."

"Why Jack Frost?" Tooth asked, narrowing her eyes at the boy.

"Because that is my name," Jack answered with a sly smile.