Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or any of the characters except my OCs. No copyright infringement is intended. This for my own amusement.
He stroked his black stallion's nose gently. He would ready to ride out as soon as his superiors sent their word. His onyx ring sparkled in the faint moonlight streaming through the otherwise dark stable. Soon… he would receive the word. He wondered where they would send him. What village or perhaps even city, would he be able to free? He was eager to crush the government that enslaved them. He hated the rulers, how they ruled so mercilessly. They cared only about rank and power, not for the weak ones at their feet that they were sworn to protect. Nay, they decided to neglect their duties and force upon all a social caste system, one he had grown to hate. The separation was stupidity. People should be free to live as they choose. The government had no right to burden the people. That was why Pitch Black has joined the Rebellion.
He mounted his stallion as he heard footsteps approaching him. The orders had arrived.
"Your destination, Pitch," the messenger said breathlessly as he threw open the stable doors.
He leaned forward in his saddle. "Yes?"
"The Village of Burgess," the messenger whispered before opening the stable doors wider. "Now fly!"
A smirk appeared on his lips.
Burgess. What a chance!
It was one of the lowest villages in the social ladder. The Rebellion had yet to free it despite infiltrating it so many times. They had lost many men and women trying to wrench Burgess out of the government's grasp. And to send him? It meant they had great trust in him. Though, he supposed it could also be because of his position. Even if he were to be caught, the government could not harm him. He supposed social status could be useful at times.
Pitch gave his stallion a gentle pat on his neck as he urged him to a gallop.
"To Burgess," he whispered softly.
The village who he would free… but little did Pitch know that it would be he that needed to be freed.
Chapter One
The moon shone brightly above him, giving the snow below a silvery sparkle. It made the small village of Burgess look beautiful. Winter was the best time of year. Though most of the villagers would disagree. They hated snow and winter and cold. They liked to stay in their cozy, little homes and rarely step out to enjoy the weather. He didn't understand them… but they didn't understand him either. After all, it was winter that took the lives of his parents or so they said. Sadly, he didn't really remember his parents. All that he had as a memory of them was a silver ring with a band of jade embedded into it. The mayor let him keep it surprisingly enough though he told (rather commanded) him to keep it out of sight. So, it hung on a chain around his neck. He didn't understand why the mayor hated the sight of it. Perhaps it's a reminder of his mother to him? He had heard rumors from some of the villagers that he had loved her. If that was true, then that explained why he treated him the way he does. Sending him off to the blacksmith's… The man knew how much he hates the heat and sent him there on purpose. And the blacksmith! He hates him too. He always makes it so hot for him and rarely-no, never-lets him go outside to cool off. Which is precisely why he was outside right now. He really shouldn't be though… He would get in a heap of trouble for being out without permission and at night to top it off.
But it's not like he could resist! He accidentally left his shed door unlocked and today had been so miserably hot. He just had to get out for some air, and well he got a bit carried away. It has been so long since he had last been outside. He just had to test out his abilities again. He did do it sometimes inside the shed, but it just wasn't the same. Out here, He just felt so free. His powers just unleashed and he would have a blast though he knows he'll probably regret it later. After all, creating frost flurries around the village and woods when he is supposed to be locked up isn't good. The mayor and the blacksmith would be so furious if they find out! He knows he'll get a good beating if they ever are to catch him out.
He gulped nervously as he started to run. He glanced at the snowy fields behind him before shaking his head. There was no time to pause and admire the scenery! He needed to get back… and fast. He inwardly scolded himself for not keeping a watch on the time as he hurried through the shrubbery. He was almost out of the woods. He lost his balance in his hurry and tripped over a fallen log. He grunted as his face was planted into the snow. Normally, he wouldn't have minded. He had always loved the feel of snow against his pale skin. But now isn't the time to play in the snow! He needed to get back to the shed!
He picked himself up, not bothering to dust off the snow or attend to the scratches across his bare calves. He can't be late… He just can't.
In a few minutes, he could see the shed coming into the view. He sighed in relief as he slipped into the shed. Just in time from the looks of things.
In the darkness of the shed, a soft whinny greeted him.
He smiled and turned to greet the mare standing behind him. "Hello, Bonnie. Miss me, girl?"
The mare nudged him gently with her nose, causing him to laugh softly.
"Sorry, girl. Didn't mean to stay out so late."
Bonnie merely snorted and stamped her feet.
He dusted some now out of his hair sheepishly. "I'm real sorry. I won't be late again!"
Bonnie snorted again.
"Aw Bonnie… I can't promise that." He ran his fingers through her mane. "You know I can't."
Bonnie tossed her head some and he gave her a gentle pat.
"I'll be more careful next time," he promised as he slipped onto his straw mattress in the small stall beside hers.
The mare gave another snort before settling down as well. She and Jack would be able to catch an hour or so of rest.
"Jackson!"
"Huh?" Jack quickly sat up.
"Jackson! Get your lazy arse up!"
"Oh right, right," Jack mumbled as he got onto his feet sleepily.
Bonnie let out a whinny and sidestepped before Jack collided with her. She shook her head as the boy gave her sheepish apology and smile before slipping out of the shed. She knew he was very lucky that the blacksmith hadn't noticed that the door was already unlocked. It worried her at how much the young lad kept pushing his luck. This all felt lack a bad omen to the old mare.
Jack hurried into the smithy. The blacksmith had already started the fire and was busy setting up for the day. Jack scrunched up his face slightly at the heat and turned to start organizing the orders that he would probably have to deliver later in the day.
"Jackson!"
He immediately stiffened. The blacksmith did not sound like he woke up on the right side of the bed this morning.
"You've been sneakin' out again, haven't you?"
"N-no, sir!" he lied, shaking his head as he turned to face the blacksmith.
"You got some snow on yer hair and it ain't snowin' now," the blacksmith said accusingly.
"Th-there's a bit o' a draft near, near my bed…" he mumbled.
Which was true. He had managed to loosen a board in the wall to let some cool air in. This winter had become unbearable due to the constant heat of the smithy's fire. He needed some sort of way to cool off since he wasn't always lucky enough to have the shed unlocked.
The blacksmith frowned. "A draft, eh?"
Jack nodded slowly, worried that the blacksmith wouldn't be convinced by his half-truth.
"Best be checkin' that later," the blacksmith muttered causing Jack to let out a silent sigh of relief. The blacksmith then shoved a bag into Jack's unsuspecting arms. "Need you to take this to the mayor's, Jackson. He's expectin' it early so take Bonnie. An' don't dillydally! I need you to run other errands."
"Yessir!" Jack could barely hide his smile as he shifted the bag in his arms.
What luck! The blacksmith was actually going to let him ride Bonnie!
The old mare, on the other hand, was not too thrilled when Jack came back to the shed. She was happy for Jack (and could use a good stretch)… but at the same time she still had a very bad feeling about the consequences that this "good" luck would bring.
"Aw come on, Bonnie. It'll be fun!"
Bonnie stomped her foot. Fun? She did not think this outing would be "fun," but she had to admit she did admire Jack's high spirits. She just worried too much, that was all. She cared very deeply for the young lad.
Author's Note: Whew... I've finally got this story posted! I'm sorry it took so long, TheBookAlchemist! Life and school changed my schedule drastically (okay maybe I'm exaggerating some... but I was busy, lol!). Anyways I hope you guys like this story (even if it's a bit on the short side right now) I hope to update really soon now that I got this story up and running. Can't say I can update it really soon... but once I'm done with my two classes for this quarter of the semester I should be able to update at a faster rate. *fingers crossed* Well thanks for reading! Please drop a review, fav, or follow. X3 Aaaand if you are feeling really adventurous or forward pm me! Haha... okay I'll leave it at that, guys.
(P.S. I apologize for not having a cover photo posted yet. I do have one for this story, but I'm currently posting this story on my laptop aaand my cover photo is saved on my desktop. Sooo it'll take a little while before the cover photo appears so I apologize in advance!)
EDIT: My sincerest apologies for forgetting this! I blame college life and this miserable cold that I'm still recovering from... But anyways! Special credit to CopperInk for giving me the idea to create a fatherly!Pitch relationship with Jack. :) Keep up the good work, CopperInk! Thanks for allowing me to use this idea and run with it. ;) I hope you will take a peek at this for me! And to my readers, please go check out CopperInk's works for Rise of the Guardians! They are fantasic! :D