Ice Curse 2: Pookan Bane

Chapter 11

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It was a sad parade. The allied Northern and Western Pookas walked through the main street of Santoff Claussen city, heading for the palace. Their captives, the Eastern Pookas, walked in the middle of the group, their paws bound behind their backs and to each other, making sure they couldn't escape. The city folk gasped and cursed at the allied Pookas' still monstrous appearance, saying things like, 'see, I told you they were nothing but beasts' and 'get out of here you disgusting animals'. The only thing that kept them from being physically violent with the Pookas was seeing their beloved prince march in front of them, asking people to clear the way and not to hurt anyone.

Bunnymund kept a straight face, ignoring all the threats and taunts from the people, surprised at how they spoke in front of their prince and outwardly insulted his husband. Bunny gazed over at Jack, who was indeed visibly furious about the comments, but kept quiet, remembering what his husband told him.

They reached the palace steps, and the king and queen came out to see what all the commotion was about. North cursed in Russian and Toothiana put her dainty hands over her mouth. "What is this?" King North called down to his son.

"It's a long story, Father." Jack replied. "A lot happened in just a few days."

"What did?" Queen Toothiana asked.

"A war." Bunnymund answered, stepping forward. "A disgusting, bloody battle."

"Bunny, that is you?!" North went slack-jawed seeing his son-in-law this way.

"Perhaps I should explain." A voice from the sky said. The Man in the Moon's hologram appeared on the steps before everyone. The king, queen and people gasped in shock. The Eastern Pookas, who doubted the Man's existence before, went wide-eyed and nearly peed themselves.

"Man in Moon?!" North and Tooth bowed hastily, and their people followed suit.

"Please, there's no need for bowing. We're friends, right Nicholas?"

"Ah, y-yes." The king stood up. Bunny snickered, that image reminding him of his relationship with North; how he bows even though he doesn't need to.

"I don't have much time. The full moon phase is ending." He said before telling the whole story of the Pookas' loss and gain of power, and about the war. As they listened, the citizens' expressions went from angry and hateful to guilty and saddened. The Man in the Moon was riveting in his storytelling, and when he finished, he left everyone in tears. "So as you can see, Santoff Claussen, there is good and evil in every species, to paraphrase a wise warrior." He winked at Bunnymund. "From this day on, I grant the Pookas the power to morph. But they must only use their powers if necessary. They shall not be abused. If one uses his powers for evil, his fellow Pookas must discipline him accordingly. I will no longer meddle with Pookan affairs."

"How do we change back?" Bunny asked.

"Yes, I taught you the way to gain the power, now I must tell you how to release it. You must simply think something like, 'My job is done. I have protected the ones I love, now I can rest'."

"That easy, huh?" Bunny smirked, and closed his eyes, focusing on the release of that power. He thought of Jack and how he protected him, and now that the battle is won, he can return to normal. He felt the four extra arms recede into his body, and he became leaner and shorter, back to the way everyone knew him. He opened his eyes and looked down at his hands, smiling brightly. He turned to his mate and swooped him up in a big hug. Jack laughed and embraced him back. The rest of the allied Pookas did the same, and soon they were all back to normal.

"Very well. And as for our dark friends… I'm sure you know what to do Nicholas. Until next time!" The Man in the Moon's hologram vanished and the moonbeam returned to its home.

"Oh yes, I know what to do with them." King North cracked his knuckles. "Fifty years to life in prison!" Growls and complaints could be heard from the Eastern Pookas while everyone else let out a sigh of relief and a light cheer. "After we show them to their new homes, I shall discuss new diplomatic relations with my Pookan guests of honor!" The allied Pookas cheered, and the citizens applauded, but this time, not because they had to. Bunnymund and Jack smiled to each other.

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As the meeting took place, Bunny and Jack were ordered to rest after seeing the palace doctor. Bunnymund arrived to their bedroom before Jack, and began removing his bandolier and wrist guards. He heard the door open. "Hey love, how are…" Bunny looked at his husband, who slowly entered the room wearing a neck brace. Their eyes met, and the rabbit couldn't help but laugh at Jack's little pissed face above the huge neck brace.

"Shut up!" Jack whined. "I told the doctor I was fine, but he and Father insisted!" He turned awkwardly to shut the door.

"Well, your windpipe was dislocated, mate. It's to be safe instead of sorry." Bunny looked down at his own bandages. "You're better off than I am, which is always fine with me."

"A normal animal would be dead." Jack shivered, not wanting to think about it. "I'm still mad at you for fighting those beasts yourself. I'm serious, when you're better, I'll…"

"Yeah, yeah, you'll kick my ass." Bunny smirked, stepping over to his mate and looked down at him. "I'd like to see you try."

"Actually, I thought of something more fun to do than simply kick your ass." The prince's eyes narrowed mischievously.

"Now I'm scared." Bunny needed to watch his back. He wasn't all that great at avoiding the damn young man's pranks. "C'mon, let's get some sleep while the leaders discuss diplomatic tripe."

"Okay." The husbands got in their bed awkwardly due to their medical restraints. They laughed at each other. "Bunny?"

"Yeah, mate?"

"Will the eggs really be ready by next year?"

"Of course they will. Why?"

"No reason, just… I have a good feeling about it."

"Struth? Well… all we can do is hope."

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Spring came the next year warmer and greener than ever. King North and the Pookas decided that on the spring Sunday that hosted the full Moon would be a holiday to celebrate the alliance of the species. Today was that Sunday, their first holiday. They would call it Easter after Bunny's first initial and middle name. It was also the day when Jack and Bunny's idea of painting and hiding animated eggs would finally be shared with the city. Bunnymund was nervous as he stood next to his royal family and his Pookan family while standing on the steps of the palace in front of the citizens. "That little girl Sophie is here." Jack pointed to her, standing with her mother and brother in the front row.

"And she's starin' at me again." Bunny gulped, looking down at the painted, butterfly-patterned egg in his paws.

"You painted that for her, didn't you?" The prince nudged his husband.

"No I didn't." Bunny lied, but his wilting ears told the truth.

"Uh-huh." Jack put an arm around his husband's shoulders. "Just like I didn't create a masterpiece for you that time."

"Dammit Jack, you're not helping my situation here!" He whisper-shouted. A year ago, when Bunny nearly sacrificed himself to save his prince and people, Jack said he would get him back, and by the Moon he did. A few months after, while the rabbit was sleeping bandage-free, the prince ice-lasered (that's right, ice-lasered) the fur off his back, spelling the term "JACK'S KANGAROO" with bald skin. And the little 21-year-old brat still bragged about it. Luckily, the fur has grown back by now.

All this time King North had been giving a speech, and now he was finally finished. "Bunny, you may continue." North said, nudging him forward. Bunny stumbled and looked out at his massive audience. He didn't have a speech; he was just going to simply give the egg in his hand to a child of his choice. It didn't make him any less nervous, though.

Bunnymund made eye contact with Sophie, the child he would give the egg to (Jack had guessed correctly). He inhaled slowly and walked awkwardly down the steps and toward her, them now twenty feet apart. He crouched down and shyly held out the egg, smiling. Sophie hadn't been sure what to do. She looked up at her mother, who had told her previously not to go near 'it', but today, her mother nodded in approval, letting go of her little hand so she could walk up to the Pooka. Sophie didn't take the egg at first; instead, she came close to Bunny and ruffled her fingers into his furry sideburns, finally satisfying her curiosity of the creature. She delicately scratched his nose, and he laughed, wondering who the cute one was supposed to be here. He brought his hand between them, the egg hopping up and down in his palm. It was her turn to laugh and she graciously took the egg, admiring the pretty watercolors. She hugged Bunny, thanking him for the gift. He hugged her back and picked her up, walking to the mother. The woman smiled and nodded to him, and he smiled too, grateful for this turn of events. He handed Sophie to her mother. "Alright ya little ankle-biters, start huntin'! Catch 'em before they run!" Bunny shouted, and all the kids cheered, off to look for eggs in the city. Next time, they'd do this in the forest.

"Great job, Bunny." Jack flew up to his mate and kissed him.

"Thanks, Jack." Bunny embraced him. "Thank you for this holiday. Without you, the humans and the Pookas would have never gotten along." He looked out, seeing Pookan children playing with human children and human adults talking with Pookan adults. It was like a dream.

"If I hadn't met you, none of this would have happened." Jack smiled. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Frostbite." Bunny kissed his true love again as the Moon smiled down at them. "Happy Easter."

THE END

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A/N: Hello, my sweet little peach cakes! This is finally the end of the Ice Curse series, OR IS IT? For my AO3 readers, there's one more chapter left, a bonus sex chapter. For my FF readers, it is the end unless you go to AO3. So do that. Also, news for my FF readers who care: I put a romantic Naruto one-shot on AO3. It's called 'Love Genius' and the pairing is Gai/Kakashi, because they belong together, duh. In case you forgot why I can't post sex on FF anymore, it's because I was punished for doing so. Some asshole ratted me out, and apparently, after many years of posting porn on FF, I was suddenly not allowed and penalized by the FF editors, and they're probably watching me like a hawk, now. Also, in case anyone forgot, my FF username is Mistress Taru and my AO3 username is fieryhotaru. Many thanks to people who've supported this series and my others. Love love love to all,

Taru-chan