Me: hello readers! This is my first attempt at a Rise of the Guardians oneshot collection. I have read so many wonderful stories and collections I just had to write one! I just got the Rise of the Guardians dvd as a birthday gift and I couldn't wait to see it again. So without further comment or introduction. . . On with the stories!

((Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians.))

Enjoy!

Saved By Darkness

Why?

It was the only question that came to Jack's mind as a barrage of fists and kicks landed upon his beaten body. Each hit causing a jolt of pain to shoot through the winter spirits thin frame.

They had come out of nowhere.

Jack had spent his day doing what he always did during the winter months and that was covering the landscape in a blanket of white snow and a dusting of frost. And like all those other times he would finish his work in the small town of Burgess where he had been born from the lake nestled within the wooded area surrounding the town. After giving the town a good few inches of snow and covering a few windows with frost Jack decided to take a rest by the lake so that was where he headed to have a nice well deserved rest.

For 150 years this had been his routine.

For 150 years he had done the same thing.

But this time would be different.

And it all started when Jack was suddenly hit from behind by a blast of energy, the impact causing the spirit to release a startled cry and sent him on a collision with the snow covered ground. Releasing a pain filled groan Jack sat up unsteadily, his eyes trying to focus on his surroundings and when they finally cleared of their bleariness Jack almost wished they hadn't. For right in front of him both floating in the air and standing on the ground were the glaring forms of six seasonal spirits as they inched closer to Jack.

Six spirits ready for a fight.

They had come out of nowhere.

They had come with anger and hatred in their eyes.

And Jack knew they hadn't come by invitation or to just pass through.

They had come for him.

Just like every year.

For the past 110 years or so the same group of spirits would visit Jack every beginning of the winter season. But their "visits" were far from friendly. Their meetings never started with a hello or a smile, they would start with a scowl and a punch or two. At first, the seasonal spirits only came to ridicule Jack, make fun of how destructive he is or say how horrible winter was and how Jack was its center. But later the spirits became bolder and would take a punch or kick at the younger spirit, sometimes using their powers to attack him and leave even more bruises and broken bones.

And it was the same spirits every time.

Sierra Flare

Mark Scorcher

Lilly Padmin

Autumn Winds

Brian Hallows

Willard Browns

Two summer spirits, one spring spirit and three fall sprites. Willard Brown was the groups elected "leader" and organized each visit with Jack Frost who he has a personal vendetta against, one which Jack himself has yet to figure out. He thought that they were angry about him spreading snow over their leaves but after a while Jack gave up trying to figure out a reason when other seasons joined in and they weren't helping him find out any sooner so what was the point? Each time they would come there would only be those same six spirits. Sometimes they brought friends and there would be as much as twelve spirits coming at him but thankfully there weren't more, especially today. No today it was the six usual spirits but they never made it any easier for Jack. As the group got closer Jack wondered what they would start with this time. He was hoping they'd just say what they needed and didn't get physical. The spring and fall spirits could kick and punch but the summer spirits were worse, especially when they used their powers.

And it hurt.

Now you would think Jack could just attack back since they were in his own element but Jack knew that it wouldn't fend them off for long. Sure he could freeze them and fly off but eventually they'd track him down and hurt him even worse, so it was only after the first few attempts at fighting back that Jack gave up fighting and spent more time preparing to defend. After some practicing he became good at defending against certain attacks. Although he was well practiced in physical defense there was one thing that he couldn't yet defend himself from. That one thing was the hurtful words that would spill from the other spirits mouth.

And that is exactly what the spirits used.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Jack Frost, maker of snow, ice and misery." Willard called. The rest of the spirits laughed and another spoke up.

"Yeah, how many people have you killed or hurt this year?" Brian sneered.

"What good is snow and ice if all it does is destroy everything in its path?" Autumn said with Lilly nodding beside her.

"All you ever do is destroy all the work we do in the fall and keep spring's flowers form growing." There was a blast of heat that traveled past Jack's cheek making him jump back while the spirits laughed. Mark flew closer, his hand holding a small flame.

"What's the matter Frost, can't take a little heat?" he mocked moving closer to Jack who stared at the flame with wide eyes. Everything in his mind screamed for him to move away because fire and ice do not mix. But he was frozen in his spot and the flame came closer until it was inches from his face. The light increased in size enclosing his entire hand in the flame and with a sudden jerk Jack's head snapped to the side as a scorching heat streaked across his face leaving a burning red mark. Jack cried out at the pain but contained the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes. Mark sneered as Jack moved backwards in an attempt to get away from the heat but before he could move any further his arms and legs were ensnared by vines courtesy of Autumn and Lilly. Jack was now stuck and helpless as his staff was ripped out of his hand by Willard.

"Now, now can't have you running off before we have a little more fun can we?" he said waving the staff mockingly in front of Jack's face. Willard smiled cruelly as he stepped back to allow Sierra to stand next to Mark, her hand also taking on a flame.

"Time to have some fun." Mark said raisin his hand again to strike. Jack closed his eyes and turned his head waiting for the blow.

But it never came.

Jack thought Mark was just waiting until he looked up to take him by surprise but a sudden sound of pained grunting made jack look up but Mark wasn't in front of him and neither was Sierra. In fact bother summer spirits were laying a few feet away sprawled on the ground.

"Now that doesn't seem fair. Six on one doesn't make much of a fight." A voice called behind the remaining spirits who quickly turned around to face the one who had spoken. Jack craned his neck to look behind Willard who lost his smirk and was staring in front of him with a look of anger and Jack's surprise, fear.

"But I guess, with all of you sharing a single brain cell that doesn't seem to bother you. . ." the voice continued as its owner stepped closer. The person speaking moved until he stood right in front of Willard and Jack could finally see who the speaker was. A man, standing taller than every other spirit, with a thin frame, pitch black hair spiked above a pale face sporting two golden eyes narrowed at the smaller fall spirit. A black cloak covered the rest of the owner's body except for two pale hands one of which moved outward and snatched Jack's staff from the fall spirit's hands and Jack's frame tensed in fear, but he couldn't tell if it was from the man holding his staff or the figure himself. Said figure smirked and knocked Willard to the side. Autumn and Brian caught him but refused to go near the cloaked man.

"Why are you here Pitch?" Lilly asked standing close to Sierra and Mark who had lifted themselves off the ground. Pitch, Jack guessed was his name, laughed making the other spirits tense, Jack though felt strangely calm in the man's presence now.

"I never did like unfair fights." Pitch said turning to face the seasonal spirits. A darkened shadow spread from under Pitch's cloak and inched its way toward the group who had fear in their widened eyes.

"I suggest you all leave before my nightmares decide they wish for a snack." The spirits didn't need to be told twice as they flew off not one looking back. The shadow returned to its master as Pitch turned back to the winter sprite. Narrowed golden eyes met icy blue before Pitch's smirk lowered in a neutral smile. With a wave of his hand a small wisp of black sand flew towards the trapped Jack Frost and quickly cut through the vines restraining the child's arms and legs. Once freed, Jack sprang into a sitting position, eyes wearily watching the other spirit.

For the next minute or so both spirits watched eachother before Pitch decided to make the first move.

"I believe this belongs to you." he said holding the crooked staff toward the younger who immediately grabbed it and was instantly surrounded by a gust of wind that whirled around the boy in its own embrace before picking the child up and placing him on the nearest tree branch. Pitch watched the exchange with a peaked interest while Jack's gaze never left the others.

"Why did you help me?" Jack asked after finally mustering up the courage to speak. Pitch's neutral stare never faltered as he answered.

"Like I said, I never did like unfair fights, especially when it involves a group attacking one so much younger." There was a pause as Pitch studied the sprite closer. "You must be the new winter spirit MiM created." He concluded.

"Who's MiM?" Jack asked. Pitch hid his astonishment at the statement before speaking.

"The Man in the Moon, you do know who that is right?" a look of realization crossed Jack's face.

"Oh." There was another pause before a glint crossed Pitch's eyes.

"He doesn't talk to you at all does he?" When Jack tensed at the statement Pitch knew he had stated a fact.

"Does he talk to you?" Jack asked lowering himself from the branch slowly but keeping his distance. Pitch wore a sad smile.

"Not as much as he used to." Pitch said as if the fact saddened him, really though it only made his mood happier. When the younger spirit looked almost as sad at his statement his smile grew. "But you know, spending time alone isn't all that bad." Pitch carried on catching Jack's full attention.

"You don't have anyone with you?" Jack asked almost in disbelief. Pitch nodded.

"Yes, it's a sad fact but other than the times in which the moon has graced me with his voice I have had no other company." Pitch smiled then. "But I seem to have found a kindred spirit in this world. Tell me, are you alone as well?" Jack's shoulders sagged a little and he nodded. Pitch looked sympathetic as he moved slowly toward Jack trying not to startle the boy into running. Jack tensed at first when Pitch began moving but as the older spirit came closer he began to relax sensing no malice in the other's form. When Pitch was standing directly in front of Jack he held his hand out.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I am Pitch Black the Nightmare King or you may know me as the Boogeyman." Pitch greeted. Jack looked up at Pitch's face, in the back of his mind he knew he had heard that name before.

Boogeyman.

But somehow he couldn't remember from where he remembered. Jack's eyes moved from Pitch's own to the outstretched hand which he slowly reached for before grasping the hand carefully hoping that one he wouldn't accidently freeze it. When he felt Pitch's hand firmly clasp his own he shook it.

"I'm Jack Frost." He said smiling as a wave of joy filled him at how kind the other spirit was being.

"Well hello Jack, it's nice to meet a kindred spirit." Pitch said as the two broke their grip. Jack was a little disappointed at the loss of contact but kept it hidden as Pitch spoke.

"So Jack, how long have you been a spirit?" he asked.

"About 150 years." Jack replied.

"And you haven't hand any company since your creation?" Jack shook his head.

"Not unless you count those spirits who keep attacking me company." There was a chuckle at the remark and Jack smiled.

"I just can't believe that no one would try to befriend you or keep you company." Pitch said. Jack shrugged.

"Well I guess I'm not that good of company."

"How so?" Jack smiled.

"I like to play tricks and goof off. A lot of the other spirits don't seem to like it." Jack confessed. Pitch laughed.

"Oh so you're a prankster type." He said. "Well I can completely relate to that. I've played my share of tricks over the years especially on those stuck up Guardians." Jack looked at Pitch confused.

"Guardians?" Now Pitch looked at the child with disbelief before hiding it as the glint returned to his eyes.

"You haven't heard of the Guardians?" When Jack shook his head Pitch smiled. "Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Sandman?" he said. Jack thought for a moment before his eyes lit up.

"Oh yeah I've heard of them! I've only seen Santa Claus and Sandman though." He said. "But they never really paid any attention to me." Jack stated almost dejectedly.

"That's because they're too busy with their jobs." Pitch said before frowning. "But either way I'm surprised they never acknowledged you, then again I wouldn't pay them much mind anyway." Jack looked up at Pitch.

"Why?" Pitch hid his smirk.

"Because they may seem like good natured spirits but deep down they don't care about anything else but their jobs so I wouldn't expect them to help you anytime soon." Pitch said. Jack frowned. Pitch smiled and placed a hand on the youth's shoulder. "But I wouldn't ignore you Jack." Jack smiled.

"Really?" his voice betrayed the sudden burst of excitement there. Pitch nodded but before he could reply a stream of golden light shot overhead. Both Pitch and Jack looked up to see even more streams of sand criss-crossing the darkened sky. Pitch sighed.

"Well duty calls." He said removing his hand from Jack's shoulder and began disappearing into the shadows but Jack called out to him.

"Wait!" Pitch stopped momentarily to gaze once again at the winter spirit.

"Thank you."

Pitch's eyes widened slightly at the words but he hid them behind a smile.

"Remember Jack anytime you need some company." He replied before disappearing into the darkness of the woods.

Jack stood there a moment before smiling.

Maybe now he wouldn't be so alone.

((End))

Me: and that is the end of the first oneshot!

Jack: read and review!

Me: see ya next chapter!