Thickening Shadows (Percy Jackson/Rise of the Guardians Crossover) - Completed

Chapter 4

"There better be a good reason you brought me all the way 'ere, North," Bunnymund- the last to arrive- said as he immerged in the workshop, shaking off snow from his massive hind paws as he went, "I have new egg designs-"

"Pitch is back," North cut the massive bunny short.

"Oh, come on!" Bunny stuck his paw as close to the fire as he could without getting burnt, "it's been three years! And don't tell me you can feel it in yer belly."

The six foot tall bunny took an egg from the pouch at his belt, along with a paintbrush already dipped in pale violet. With the upmost care he then began painting intricate designs on it; he cast a complete contrast to his appearance. You wouldn't expect a creature so big and surly looking to be painting eggs.

"He stole some memories,"  Tooth paused in her rapid instruction giving to her fairies.

"Can't he be a bit more original?" An exasperated sound echoed below the strong Australian accent, "He's already done that!"

"He only took two this time," Jack was perched up on his staff, balanced perfectly despite the thing purchase. Bunny glared at the teen for a moment, planning a witty response, but then he realised what it could mean.

"Only two?" he paused in the painting of his egg, moving towards the center of the group, kicking into Jack's staff just for the fun of it. The teenager wobbled before falling, but as always, the wind caught him, "Whose?"

"Nico and Bianca Di Angelo," North moved to the bannister and quickly shouted down an order to his yetis before continuing, "two demigod siblings with a peculiar act of not aging- we think it is because of their father- Hades."

"Why don' we just go an' ask 'em?" Bunny's accent thickened momentarily.

"They're dead," Jack deadpanned as he floated down onto a desk.

"Oh," Bunny paused yet again, "Then why would he taken 'em?"

"That is what we are here to figure out," North stroked his beard, and the other three watched him, waiting for the white haired man to respond. Behind them, the gold figure of the Sandman was trying to gather the fours attention.

"We know that they're demigods; that in itself is suspicious," Tooth mused as she fluttered just centimeters off the ground, "and the fact that they're children of Hades is worrisome."

"Why?" Jack questioned squatting away the short and stout man.

"Frost, your brain is cactus-"

"Did you just call me a cactus?" Jack asked the large Australian bunny.

"It means not functioning," Tooth translated the slang for him, "he's calling you dumb."

"Hey!" Jack said in an outrage, "bad enough you insult me, but does it have to be in a language I can't understand-"

Jack would've continued but eggnog was suddenly poured on his head from above. It froze solid within seconds of being in contact with his cold aura, causing his hair to stick up in an odd direction one way, while lay flat at the other. Frozen droplets decorated his pale cheeks and clung to his long eyelashes.

"Sandy!" Jack gazed up at the disgruntled dream bringer, "this is going to take forever to get out."

The teenager pulled off his trademark blue jumper to reveal a yellowing- previously white- blouse underneath. Tooth suppressed laughter while Bunny raised an eyebrow. They had all expected Jack not to wear anything under the jumper. It seemed they were wrong.

"You just come from a renaissance fair, Frost?" Bunny smirked.

"It's colonial. Learn your dates," Jack began shaking out his jumper, getting rid of the now melted eggnog, "What's up, Sandy?"