Jack was perched high in a tree watching the sun rise over the horizon. He didn't know why but he loved seeing the warm light spread through the trees, banishing the night. That and how the light would set the snow he had just made sparkling like diamonds. He smiled to himself thinking of all the mischief he could cause today. Grabbing his staff he flew over the tree tops, deciding to head away from where he was near his lake. He flew over the woods, enjoying the sight of his snow. He stopped suddenly as he saw something gleaming in the golden sunlight. Something that was shining much brighter than the icy blanket covering the woods. He did a flip in the air and headed to it, curious as to what it was. However what he found was nothing like what he expected. It was a perfectly round and golden cage, set on the edge of a cliff facing the rising sun. Then he heard a pained moan come from inside the confining bars. He landed nearby and peered into it from a distance. What he saw made his stomach sink.
Pitch sat inside the cage, sunlight catching on his skin. His clothes nearly completely torn to shreds. His breathing was ragged and pained. Jack stepped a little closer not wanting to alert the nightmare king to his presence. The sun had finally risen far enough to cover the entire cage, and the form within, in bright warming light. Pitch let another pained cry escape his lips as he curled into a ball. Jack felt himself start towards the cage, not quite knowing why. He knelt down near the cage.
"Pitch...?" Jack said quietly. The nightmare king shielded his eyes from the sun and tried to focus on the form who spoke to him. He scooted to the back of the cage he was confined to as he realized who it was.
"Frost? What are... you doing...here?" He questioned between his pained breaths.
"Well I -was- just flying about when this thing caught my eye." He said motioning at the cage. "What are you doing in it?" He questioned back. Pitch somehow managed a glare.
"After my... nightmares turned... on me... They stuck me in... here." He gasped out, painfully. Jack looked closer at the nightmare king, he looked way thinner than he used to be, his skin paler, his cheeks so sunken in it looked painful. Jack shouldn't have been so surprised. If Pitch had been stuck in here the day he was defeated that would mean the nightmare king had been trapped here for almost a year.
"Why would they do this to you?" The teen said.
"The sun... they knew I... wouldn't be able... to escape." He replied looking at the ground. "I-It burns Jack... It hurts..." Jack looked around the cage and noticed it looked as though it'd be fairly easy to open.
"Why don't you try to get out." Even with the amount of pain he was in Pitch managed to roll his eyes.
"Jack... me in sunlight... is like you... in the desert... I. Can't. Do. Anything!" Jack finally understood. Pitch was so drained of energy by the time night fell the only thing he could do through the night is stay alive. Pitch had no time to even consider escape.
"Then I'll do it for you." Jack said a determined look on his face. Jack caught the confused yet hopeful look in Pitch's eyes as he rounded to another side of the cage. Working fast he managed to get the door open. Pitch shakily stood and managed to at least get out of the cage before he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Pitch weakly opened his eyes and found himself in one of the many tunnels that meandered through his home. As the walls came into focus he noticed delicate patterns of frost spread through out the small segment of a tunnel. He made to sit up when he felt a cool hand on his forehead pull him back. Pitch grimaced as even the gentle touch sent a surge of pain through him.
"Don't." Jack said. "You need to rest." Pitch knew Jack was right as even sitting up had sent a bout of dizziness through him. The nightmare king lay back in Jacks chilled arms. Pitch admired the beautiful patterns Jack made on the walls. As well as the cool air that felt so delicious to his burning skin. Pitch turned to face the guardian of fun.
"Jack? Why did you do this for me? After what I did you don't think I deserve what I got?" Jack shook his head.
"As far as I can tell you paid more than enough for that. What was going on there was just senseless torture. No one should have to suffer that." Jack said firmly. Pitch still had one more question.
"Jack... why are we just sitting in a tunnel?" Jack frowned.
"'Cause I got lost in this labyrinth you call a home... And you aren't exactly a featherweight." Pitch chuckled.
"You know my room is just around that corner..." Pitch said, pointing to the end of the tunnel. Jack frowned even more.
"You mean I was this blasted close!? You need a map." Jack said as he stood, somehow managing to get the taller man into his arms. Jack managed to get Pitch into the bedroom and set him on the bed. Jack was kind of awed at the room. It was decorated in deep black and silver. Small touches of gold also glittered around the room. But Jack felt there was one thing that seemed very out of place underground: the plush, soft carpet. He shrugged it off thinking that it was here, didn't matter how. Jack went back to Pitch and ran a gentle hand across his head.
"God, you are still blazing. Hold on a second I'm going to get some ice for you." Jack said. He had turned to head to the surface when Pitch spoke behind him.
"There's a restroom over there. Washcloths are in the cabinet by the sink. Might be a bit faster." He said managing a smirk. Jack went and got a washcloth, completely soaking it, and froze it. He came back and placed it on Pitch's head. The nightmare king sighed with relief as the cold spread through him. And it wasn't long before exhaustion took him again and he fell asleep. Jack sat on the edge of the bed. He knew as he watched the nightmare king sleep that he wouldn't be leaving his side anytime soon.