A/N

Hello my dears! It has been a long time, but a time that has been coming! This is the final chapter to the story! I have been dreading the day, but I'm, overall, excited that it's here :) I hope you enjoy as the theme of the story is wrapped up and everything comes to an, adequate, but (I believe) satisfying end.

Enjoy~

Reintroducing Hope

It has been a few days since the downfall of the Nightmare King, but Jack had only been a wake for a few hours since then. His injuries were pretty extensive and they left him exhausted. He had also been emotionally and mentally drained, every fiber of his being aching and begging for healing and rest. He hardly remembered the sleigh ride back to the pole and only spurts of events over the last few days.

Now, though, he was awake and Bunny sat in a comfy chair watching faithfully as Jack nibbled at the sandwiches offered to him. He had hardly eaten half of one of the three in front of him.

"Ya not hungry mate?" Bunny asked, not missing the flinch Jack made when he spoke.

Jack peeked at him, not holding the eye contact for long. "I don't really need to eat."

"Well, sure ya don't. None of us spirits do, but it does make ya feel better…don't it?"

Jack only shrugged. "Never really been offered any before." His voice was small, factual in fact but Bunny's heart shriveled. The abuse Jack has endured over the years was something beyond Bunny's imagination.

Bunny lowered his ears, a question appearing on his tongue. One he's had since North and the medical yetis had reported Jack's injuries to he, Sandy and Tooth. "Jack, what happened between you and Pitch? After he snagged you from the Warren?"

Jack, having pushed away the tray, stared at and fiddled with the sheets draped over his legs and lap. "He was angry." He started, voice just above a whisper. "He hated that I sided with you and that I had defied him. So he punished me."

"What does that mean."

Jack looked up, his blue eyes confused. What was so hard to understand? "He beat me." Jack stated, tone void of emotion and simply speaking as if he were recalling what he'd eaten for breakfast. "My master always had some kind of punishment for me when I defied him."

Bunny grinned his teeth. He really wishes Jack would stop referring to Pitch as his master. Pitch was no one's master. "He broke your ribs and your wrist as a punishment?" The Pooka asked, taking a deep and calming breath.

Jack merely nodded.

Bunny shook his head. This kid has been through far too much and, for perhaps the millionth time, Bunny wished things had ended on better terms back in '68. Again, guilt bubbled in his chest and filled him so full he thought he would certainly burst with it. He couldn't help but to see the events from that day flashing through his head. Well, weather it was the true events of what happened all those decades ago or his nightmares, Bunny couldn't say.

"How are your hands?"

The small voice was like an alarm to Bunny's preoccupied mind. He looked at Jack, who was fiddling with the sheet's once again, a dumfounded expression on his face.

"Uuuhh…" Bunny sputtered for a moment, then shook his head as if this would put his scattered mind back into place. "Fine Jack. Pretty much cleared up a few hours after we got back."

Again, Jack nodded, but Bunny could see the genuine relief in the way the boy relaxed his tensed shoulders a bit. In fact, Bunny found himself studying Jacks hands where his claws had punctured his wrists. Bunny was actually quite surprise by how quickly Jack had been able to heal, his powers and instincts taking control of the situations faster than the Guardians had time to assess him. Frost had frozen over his hands and remained there in his long rest until they were sufficiently healed. Now, his hands looked normal…well as normal as they could be from years of having barbed wire trapping his hands to his staff. There were many scares, some telling of bones that had splintered through the pale skin, but none that spoke of Bunny's claws.

Jack's other injuries had healed nicely as well. Spirits have rapid healing abilities when given the right restful environments and some minor treatment. They had wrapped Jack's ribs and wrists, and they were mostly recovered. All of the bumps and bruises from the battle were gone.

"The others are gonna wanna see ya soon." Bunny spoke up, disrupting the silence that had settled over them. "I'm sure they're all here. They've been worried about you." Jack shrunk in on himself at that. He hadn't ever had anyone to worry over him other than Wind. "If ya feeling up to it, we can go on?"

Jack swung his legs over the edge of the bed, ridding himself of the bedding. He took the invitation more as a demand rather than a request, the obedient side of him taking control of his actions. Even though he was still weary, he had been forced to work with much worst injuries than his currently healing ones, so he didn't even stumble as he stood and grabbed his staff, making for the door.

Thrown off for a moment at Jack's sudden movement, Bunny was slightly behind the winter spirit who was almost halfway down the hall when he caught up with him.

Together, the pair walked into the globe room where they found the other Guardians gathered and examining the lights of the believers on the globe, but it didn't take them long to notice their comrades.

"Jack!" Tooth shrieked, flying over to the boy faster than a hummingbird's heartbeat. She quickly wrapped her arms around the winter child, picking him up and spinning around in her relief. Jack had stiffened immediately at her touch, overwhelmed by the sudden, gentle and genuinely happy contact.

As soon as Tooth pulled away, North picked him up and kissed both his cheeks. Jack's cheeks flushed with a purple blush, and he had to force himself not to squirm away from the intimating man's embrace.

Sandy simply patted his head, giving him a grateful bow that Jack had no idea the reason for.

"So glad you are feeling better my boy!" North boomed causing Jack to cringe at his volume.

"Yes! Phil told us you were awake after he dropped the sandwiches off!" Tooth chirped in, giving Bunny as knowing and gentle glance. "It's nice to see you too Bunny. Outside of Jack's room that is."

Jack looked at the Pooka, who's ears had lowered in slight embarrassment. Had Bunny really not left his rooms in nearly three days?

"Never mind now!" North spoke up, walking deeper into the room. "You both are hear now, and celebration can begin!"

At that, the occupants of the pole seemed to take their cue as the room burst with life. Jack almost whimpered at the sudden shift and Bunny didn't miss a beat, offering the boy a reassuring arm. Banners with giant G's fell from the ceiling and yetis were wielding fire batons, which had Jack shrinking back immediately. The elves played various instruments making Jack want to cover his ears. Out of nowhere, North was suddenly holding a massive book and reading from it, but Jack was too overwhelmed hear what he was saying. He wanted to run away but couldn't find the courage to move his feet from their spot. Bunny's arm was there, the only comforting thing among the chaos and so he retreated to it. The same arm that had promised and pulled him to safety and the same arm that he knew would protect him now. Before he registered what he was doing, he cowered into the wall of fur behind him, feeling his breathing quicken and his panic rise.

"Hey, call it off mates! Call it off!" Bunny hollered, embracing the trembling winter spirit that clutched at his fur. His eyes were discs, dilated and his breathing fast. "Jack, it's alright, it's alright." Bunny reassured the frightened spirit as the merriment settled down around them. "That was probably a bad idea, but they weren't gonna hurt ya, I promise." Jack's blue eyes burned into Bunny's own green one, completely trusting.

Trusting. Jack trusted him. Bunny could see that so plainly and openly in those vulnerable eyes. Jack did not search, looking to assess him and his motives like he had done so many times before, he just…trusted him.

"You're alright." Bunny said again, allowing his revelation to sink in. "They were just excited. Ya see, we wanted to officially induct you into the gang. To make you a Guardian."

Jack blinked a few times, understanding dawning on his face. The terrified expression was gone as quick as it had come with Bunny's truthful statements.

Truthful it may be, but unbelievable all the same.

Jack backed away from the Pooka, utterly confused. A Guardian? Him? Oh right…Bunny had said the Man in the Moon had chosen him. That he was supposed to be one of them. That he wasn't Pitch's puppet and Pitch wasn't his master. He belonged with them. He remembered that.

"You okay mate?"

Jack barely registered that he was still gaping at the Pooka. Quickly, Jack snapped his jaw shut and nodded.

"Ya know it's alright if you're not?" Bunny reassured, cocking an eyebrow.

Jack bit his lower lip, meekly lowering his eyes and nodding. And…he really didn't know if he was alright. He was overwhelmed. With what, he was unsure. His freedom? His new status? His memories, both of Pitch and his human life? The kindness and gentleness being extended towards him? There was a lot that it could be or that it probably was, but he was too overwhelmed to even narrow down what was really getting to him at the moment. It was…too much. Too much to happen in hardly a weeks' time. Too much had changed, and he knew it was for the better, but he never had time to process any of it. He was chosen as a Guardian. That thought stuck out like a candle in a dark room.

What now?

"Sorry Jack." Tooth said, fluttering to his side and placing one of her small hands on his shoulder. "We didn't mean to frighten you. We just wanted this to be special."

"W-wanted what to be special?" He asked, a small tremble still noticeable in his voice.

"Your initiation." She stated simply, her smile stretching ear-to-ear.

Jack stared at her, almost uncomprehendingly. Oh right... He knew that he had been chosen, Bunny had already said they were induction him…but still. It was happening and the Guardian wanted him. They-they organized a party for him…?

"Will you have us Jack?" North asked, coming up on the other side of the young spirit and placing a surprisingly gentle, meaty hand on his free shoulder.

Sandy flew into view, the sand over his head forming the image of a little throne with a snowflake on it. The position can only be filled by you.

"We want ya here mate." Bunny said, smirking at Jack. "You belong here."

Jack stared down at the ground. He was unsure of their words, but he trusted Bunny. If he said it than he believed him. The Guardians wanted him and, not only that, but they wanted him to be a Guardian. To work alongside of them. In this instance, it wasn't simply that Manny had chosen him but that the Guardians wanted him too. He wasn't just supposed to be here; he was wanted here.

Jack was terrified. Terrified of this second chance he had been granted and what to make of it. Terrified of this freedom and how to treat it. There were other things out there, right? What if there was something else he wanted to do other than this?

And that's when he realized, really and truly realized, that he was free.

He was free. He wasn't captured or imprisoned and if there were other things out there that he wanted to experience, then he could. Bunny had said it before. The he didn't have a master. He wasn't under anyone's cruel charge. If he wanted to do other things, then he could…and he could be a Guardian. He could be what he was supposed to be. What he wanted to be. Jack wanted to be where he really felt he belonged, and that was alongside the Guardians.

Jack looked up and met Bunny's eyes. A small smirk crossed his face and he nodded. This is what he wanted. Bunny smiled back, a knowing and proud glint sparkling in his eyes. He looked to North and gave a small nod.

Crouched there together on the floor, North brought out the Book of Guardians and read the oath.

"Will you, Jack Frost, promise to watch over the Children of the Earth?

Guide them safely from the ways of harm?

Will you guard, with your life, their hopes and dreams,

For they are all that we have, all that we are, and all that we will ever be?"

Jack looked the Cossack square in the eyes and glanced around at his other companions. Looking at them, he could feel a swelling in his chest that he hasn't felt in so long. Something strong that felt powerful and energized him in a way beyond physical fatigue. His soul was glowing with this feeling, and it both hurt and healed all at the same time.

Hope. He felt hope.

A genuine smile broke across Jack's face as he said two simple words with more confidence than he's had in centuries.

"I will."

A/N

See? All is mostly well. Jack still has some healing, and so does Bunny. I believe the Guardians have a lot to work through, and a lot to talk about, but I think they've done good. I think Jack will get along just fine because the Guardians are going to be there for him. :)

I'm amazed that this is over. TGoW was my first single plot chapter fic, and now it's my first complete multi chapter story. I'm sad to see it end, but proud! There is always room for improvement, as I don't think anyone is ever completely satisfied with their work, but I am proud and happy with what I've done here! I'm so thankful to all of you for reading, favoriting, following and reviewing the story. Your words and support encouraged me everyday to overcome any little seed of writers block, so I thank you!

Hope to see you guys in the future. :)

See ya~