Elsa went back to ball and greeted her guests and assured her safety. She was upset that Jack didn't come back. She had so many questions and not enough answers. How could she not have known there was someone else out there with powers just like her? She isn't alone, she has someone to compare to.
"Elsa! Where have you been? I've been worried. Kristoff and I have been looking for you everywhere!" Anna said running up to her sister and grabbing her arms and then pulling her into a hug.
"I wasn't gone that long, was I?" Elsa said looking at her sister. Kristoff came up behind her dressed formally for the ball.
"Elsa, you're supposed to be here at the ball, making appearances. When no one said they saw you in a while, I got worried."
"It's okay Anna, I'm fine. But I need to speak with you in private."
"About what?"
"Just come with me, it's important." Elsa said taking her sisters hand and as they were walking away the lights in the ballroom went out.
The room was filled with screams and shouts about what happened to the lights. Then dark clouds came pouring in through the windows and seeping to the floor. The guests started to panic as the darkness gathered around their feet making its way to the front of the room. Once there, it toppled upon itself until it gave way to a tall dark man.
Then a few of the candles relit themselves to reveal Hans standing tall as ever and wearing what could have passed as gold silk. He smiled wide from ear to ear and opened his eyes. Except, his eyes weren't really there. It was complete and total darkness.
"Good evening citizens of Arendelle. I'm sorry to interrupt such a lovely occasion but I'm hoping you can help me, I am looking for a particular woman, you may know her as your Queen." His wicked smile somehow grew wider as he spit the last word.
Elsa felt tight knots form in her stomach. The fear was great within her but she stood back watching Hans. He looked over and spotted Elsa in the crowd and his eyes grew more sinister.
His hand came out from below his cape and it rose in Elsa's direction. A spur of darkness came from his fingertips and rushed towards Elsa. Before she had time to react the darkness engulfed her and she was pulled to Hans's side. She struggled to break free of his grip but it was too strong.
"Elsa!" Anna screamed out as she tried to run to her sister. Hans gave Anna a scornful look as a whip of dark clouds appeared from his sleeve and his struck Anna with it sending her flying back.
"Anna!" Kristoff yelled as he ran to her side. Elsa tried to scream out for her sister but the clouds filled her mouth and removed her ability to speak. Kristoff held Anna close and checked to see if she was okay.
"Oh Anna, if only things could have worked between us but now more than I ever I see an opportunity with your sister." Hans turned his attention towards Elsa who was looking worriedly in her sister's direction, "Now, I will be taking Elsa with me, I have an important use for her-"
In a flash one of the windows shattered high up above and Jack glided in on his staff and landed swiftly in front of Hans.
"Sorry guy you won't be taking her. I won't allow it." He clenched his teeth as he spoke. He could feel the darkness radiating of this man's body. It didn't matter who he once was, all that mattered was that deep down he wasn't the one in control.
"Oh Jack Frost is here everyone! Jack Frost is here to save the day!" Hans turned his wicked smile in Jack's direction.
"How do you know who I am?" Jack clenched his staff tightly staring Hans down
"Thanks to a close friend of mine, I know everything about you Jack, You and your little league of saviors." Hans leaned forward practically spitting out his words with venom and sarcasm.
"Pitch…" The word slipped from Jack's lips.
"Ah, so you're familiar. Well you're too late Jack; I'll be taking Elsa with me now."
Hans raised his hand to call more shadows and suddenly a golden whip wrapped around his wrist. Then sandy came bursting through the window and used more dream sand to grab Hans. It took hold of his body which caused him to release Elsa. Jack swooped in and caught her just as she was about to fall.
"No!" Hans sneered at Jack and with a burst of shadows he broke free of Sandy's dream sand, "I will be back. I have big plans in store for you, Elsa."
Hans turned into dark clouds which dissipated quickly beneath the party goer's feet. The candles relit and light covered all the walls in the room. The crowd of people started questioning what just happened.
When Elsa came to she noticed Jack was holding her, "What happened?"
"It's okay now, you just relax. Everything will be okay." Jack spoke helping her sit up
"Anna." she said and pushed Jack away and ran to her sister, "Anna! Anna are you alright?" She asked sitting next to Kristoff who was holding Anna closely. Anna opened her eyes and looked at Elsa.
"Yeah I'm okay. It just knocked the wind out of me." She said weakly
"I'm going to take her to the infirmary, she may need help." Kristoff spoke lifting Anna into his arms and placing her on Sven's back where she weakly held on to his fur.
"I'll go with you." Elsa said and then looked at Jack, "You come with me."
Jack looked at Sandy and nodded. He ran up to Elsa and went with them to take Anna to get help.
When Jack saw Pitch's shadow he knew he needed to get back to Elsa as soon as possible. Whatever he had planned and however he somehow returned to this world didn't matter. He knew that Elsa was in trouble and he had to get to her. He needed to protect her from Pitch. Whatever he had planned it was going to be worse than before and he was intent on using Elsa and Jack wasn't going to stand for that.
Jack hadn't anticipated an accomplice to Pitch, however. Who was this man helping him and why by all means did he want to? How could he see Jack as well and if he could see Jack could he see Pitch? He must be able to. How is Pitch communicating with this man and what were his plans for Elsa? Why was he so bent on taking her? Did it have something to do with her abilities? Jack was absolutely determined to find out.
They arrived at a building where Kristoff carried Anna inside and a woman sitting behind a desk immediately stood, "Princess! What happened?"
"She needs help!" Kristoff said and the woman nodded and proceeded to lead them to another room where Kristoff laid Anna on a bed. The woman started to check Anna and asking Kristoff what happened.
"She's going to be okay. She just needs some rest to recover."
Elsa sighed with relief and felt her muscles relax. Kristoff and Elsa went outside where Olaf was sitting on Sven.
"Is Anna going to be okay?" Olaf asked leaning forward on Sven.
"Yes Olaf she's going to be fine." Elsa smiled at him
"What happened back there?" Kristoff asked raising his arm and pointing at the castle, "Who was that guy? It looked like Hans but that was NOT Hans. He was creepy and how was he doing that thing with the smoke and who in the world was he talking to?"
Elsa looked at Jack and then back at Kristoff, "I don't know how he did his tricks but that definitely was Hans."
"He's associated with someone named Pitch Black." Jack said beside Elsa leaning on his staff for support
"Pitch Black?" Elsa repeated
"Pitch Black?" Kristoff said looking at Elsa like she had lost her mind.
Elsa looked at Kristoff and remembered that he may not be able to see Jack, "Kristoff can you see this guy standing next to me?" She gestured to Jack
Kristoff stared at the place next to Elsa and then looked back at her with a confirmed sense that she indeed had lost her mind.
"Elsa there isn't anyone there with you."
"I knew you would say that. Listen, there is a guy standing here next to me. His name is Jack Frost and he came to me earlier. He says that no one can see him, which is why you thought Hans looked crazy talking to no one but believe me there is a guy standing next to me." Elsa exclaimed
"Okay. So if there is a guy there he can tell you how many fingers I would be holding behind my back, right?"
"Are you serious?"
"I want to prove you haven't lost your mind."
Kristoff held his hand behind his back and held up three fingers. Jack laughed as went behind Kristoff and looked.
"Three." He said
"You're holding up three fingers." Elsa said. She held her hand to her forehead. She couldn't believe this nonsense. Jack couldn't help but enjoy the little game and walked back to Elsa.
"Okay so you could guess how many fingers I had but it would take a lot more believing that he's here."
"Tell him that Hans is dangerous and he'll be back. I don't know when but I'm going to stick around to protect Arendelle." Jack said
"Are you serious? What does he want?"
"Who?" kristoff asked
"I'm talking to Jack."
"I can't get used to this insanity."
"Kristoff, I don't know how to prove to you that he's here but he is, you just have to trust me." Elsa said. The nurse came outside and said that she will be keeping Anna overnight and she will be safe to return to the castle in the morning. Kristoff volunteered to stay with Anna. In fact, he insisted.
"I have to go back and address the problem with the guests. I have to assure them that everything is going to be okay." Elsa said
Elsa and Jack rushed back to the castle in time to see that people were still talking about Hans's sudden appearance.
"Everyone please! Everything is going to be okay! I'm going to get to the bottom of this." Elsa stood atop the stage where the musicians were performing earlier that night.
"Your highness why is Hans out of prison!?" Someone yelled from the crowd
"Is princess Anna going to be okay?"
"What did he want you for?"
"Is he going to come back?"
"Everyone please! I will ask that you return to your homes and continue your lives as normal. I need to make preparations in case something like this happens again. I want you all to feel safe in Arendelle."
Elsa then met everyone at the door and thanked them for coming and wishing them a safe trip home.
"Your highness, we posted two guards at your door for the night, we feel that it would be best." The head of the knight's guard reported to Elsa.
"Thank you, report to me if you've found anything." Elsa said
On the inside she didn't feel that it would make her safer. With the way Hans could have easily gotten into the ball, he wouldn't have a problem breaking into her chambers at night. The thought made her shudder.
"Jack, I need to speak with you." Elsa said quietly. He was walking with her but she didn't want her guards to suspect anything.
"I know. I have some friends waiting in your room I want you to meet." Jack said and Elsa shot him a look but her guard's attention was caught instead.
"Yes your highness?" He asked
"Oh nothing, I'm sorry." Elsa looked away embarrassed.
"Don't worry, they aren't seen either." Jack said smirking at Elsa. He thought she was cute when she was embarrassed.
They made their way to Elsa's room where the guards left her to rest. When Elsa entered she could not believe her eyes. There was a fairy who reminded her a bit of a hummingbird, just flying around her room. There was a giant bunny rabbit lounging on the loveseat, a small man that looked like he was surrounded by golden sand and an incredibly tall man with white hair and rosy cheeks.
"Elsa, these are the other guardians. This is toothiana, the tooth fairy." He pointed to the fairy flittering around.
"Hi Elsa, it's so good to meet you. Oh after Jack told us about you I couldn't help but look up your memories. You take such good care of your teeth! Oh and you are as beautiful as Jack-"
Elsa blushed as Jack cleared his throat loudly, "This is bunnymund. He's the easter bunny." Jack lazily pointed to the bunny
"M'lady." He said bowing his head slightly in Elsa's presence.
"This is the sandman. He doesn't say much." Jack lightly tapped Sandy on the head with his staff. A picture of a heart appeared above his head in sand as he looked at Elsa. She smiled.
"And this big guy here is North, otherwise known as Santa Claus."
"Santa Claus? Like from the stories?" Elsa laughed.
"Ah so you know me well! It is lovely to meet you Elsa. I'm glad you could meet with us and I am sorry for Pitch's behavior at ball." North said kissing Elsa's hand lightly.
"It's alright. I just want to know what's going on." Elsa said taking a seat next to Bunnymund who moved to let Elsa be seated.
"When Jack came to speak with us about you, Man in moon made it clear that you were in danger too."
"Man in the moon…" Elsa meant to ask Jack about it at the park but they were interrupted and she never got the chance
"The man in the moon tells us when we're needed. In a way he's the keeper of the guardians. He can see all so he always knows when children need us." Toothiana explained
"He chose all of us to be guardians." Bunnymund added
"Jack says I'm not supposed to see any of you, yet I can. Do you know why?"
"We don't know exactly but man in moon probably does. He always has reason for things he does. You seeing us must be absolutely important." North said
"And what about Hans? Why is he friends with this 'Pitch Black' person? Who is he?"
"Pitch Black, in simple terms, is the boogey man. He is pretty much the definition of evil. He's tried turning all children's dreams to nightmares and tried to get rid of all of us by making the kids stop believing in us but Jack stopped him." Toothiana said
"Wait, who is Hans?" North asked
"Yeah who was that guy?" Jack asked Elsa
"He tried to kill my sister and I. Anna defeated him by saving my life after I accidentally struck her with my powers. It turned her to solid ice as he was about to strike me with his sword. It shattered and because of that act, she thawed and sent him home to rot in jail." Elsa said bringing her hands to her chin.
"So bottom line is, they're both evil but why is Pitch using him?" Bunnymund thought aloud
Sandy stood before everyone and played a scene above his head. He showed a glittery silhouette of Hans standing tall and proud and there was Elsa on the ground. Hans pulled his sword about to strike and Anna jumped in front. The second that his sword shattered a piece of Hans turned dark. It looked like his heart.
Then Sandy changed the scene to see Hans sitting in a jail cell and another silhouette that appeared to be Pitch Black and he used nightmare sand that entered Hans's body.
"Oh I get it! Pitch is possessing Hans's body so that he has a physical body to be seen in." Jack said
"And because his heart was darkened after being defeated, Pitch had no problem taking over his body." Toothiana added
"The only thing we can't figure out is what he wants with Elsa." Jack said
"May be it has something to do with revenge." Elsa added
"Your majesty, who are you talking to?" The guards spoke to Elsa through the door.
"Oh no one!" Elsa replied
"We must go. We can figure this out tomorrow." Jack said
"Okay." Elsa replied
Toothiana, North, Bunnymund, and Sandy all took off in North's sleigh. Jack went out on the balcony and steadied himself on the railing.
"Elsa." He said
"Yes?" Elsa walked to the doorway
"If you ever feel unsafe, always look to the moon."
"Why the moon?"
"Because the man on the moon can tell me to come to you whenever I'm needed and I would be here for you as soon as possible. Okay?"
"Okay Jack, safe travels."
Jack smiled at Elsa and jumped off the balcony.
"Jack!" Elsa screamed as she looked over the edge of the balcony. Jack hovered back up standing on his staff.
"What?!" He asked with a bewildered look on his face
"Oh thank goodness. You scared me jumping off like that!"
"I still got it." Jack laughed as he flew off leaving Elsa with a grin that she just couldn't seem to erase.
Hans woke up in a dark place, tied down to a chair. He didn't remember how he got there and his head was pounding. He thought his sight was blurred but it was too dark to tell. He pulled at the restraints to no avail. His teeth gritted together as he tried to use all force to break free.
"Don't struggle you'll only make it worse." A voice called out in the darkness
"Who's there? Untie me!" Hans called out to the voice, continuing to try and escape.
Then some light shed from a small space above Hans. He could see and that was a good sign. It was still too dark to see where he was but he could see that it wasn't ropes that tethered him tightly to his seat. Black smoke laced around his wrists and held him down firmly. He tried to pull at them but the smoke remained strong.
Then the man that Hans met in the jail cell appeared in front of him.
"It's you, what do you want?!" Hans spat
"I would like to make a deal." He smiled coyly
"A deal?"
"Yes, a deal. I need your assistance and I need you to willingly help me."
"What is it you want from me? How did I even get here?"
"Oh yes that. You see you fainted in the jail cell, it was quite sad really and I brought you back here but you awoke and raised a struggle so I had no choice but to tie you down." He said
Pitch flicked his wrist and the smoke bands around Hans's wrists came undone. Hans was able to move his arms about freely.
"You broke me out?" Hans asked
"I certainly did and my dear boy it was not an easy thing to do. Your brothers quite enjoyed seeing you struggle in that lonely cell all by yourself." Pitch looked proud as he spoke, "You see Hans I have big plans ahead of me and I can offer you something you've always wanted as long as you help me in return."
"What I've always wanted?"
"A place of your own!" Pitch leaned in front of Hans with a wicked smile across his face., "A kingdom to rule and people to adore you and praise you as you watch over them as king!"
"How can you know what I want?" Hans breathed heavily as he tried to keep his attention on Pitch even though it was impossible to see.
"Because I've been in your head boy! I have seen your fears and weaknesses, your wants and desires, I've seen it all! I can give you what you want if you help me."
Hans stood up from his seat and straightened out his coat and walked right up to Pitch and stared him dead in the eyes and then he held out his hand, "Just tell me what to do."