It was still dark out when Jack donned his hero outfit and left the apartment that morning. Knocking on the massive door he waited, soon a cloud of messy auburn hair came into view. Catherine yawned, about to speak when she froze, staring wide eyed at the boy. It had been a month since she'd seen him and yet here he was as if nothing had changed. "Jack...you're here!?" She stammered.

Jack smiled weakly, "I'm sorry...I was irresponsible but I would like to talk to the guardians."

She nodded allowing him in, "They're meeting up to train in about an hour if you're ok with waiting?" Jack nodded, staying in another room until they were all assembled. Catherine retrieved him later bringing him into the meeting room.

"Jack!" North bellowed with a grin.

Jack smiled and bowed his head, "I'm sorry, I acted irresponsibly. I know you won't take me back but I need to tell you something."

Toothiana tilted her head, "No, we messed up too Jack... You're still a part of our team." Jack felt tears prick his eyes hearing this.

Bunnymund sighed and smiled, "I'm sorry mate..."

"Me too," North added.

Sandy nodded while pulling them all into a hug which was happily accepted by all those involved. Pulling away after a few moments North looked to Jack in confusion, "So what were you having to tell us?"

Jack took a deep breath, "The sniper said the Nightmare King sent him... I don't know what his end goal is or what his motives are but he was close to really hurting you all."

"So it was you..." North sighed, rubbing his head.

"Also, the villains that have been attacking you all exploit your weaknesses. We need to address them." After being prompted by Sandy to continue Jack turned to Aster, "You Bunnymund, go to therapy to control your anger. You're going to get us killed if you don't. North and Toothiana, you need some way to attack at a distance. I already know you both aren't for guns...but maybe one that shoots nets? Because right now Sandy is making up for all of that and we need him doing the best he can." Everyone but Sandy looked at Jack in a bit of shock.

"Who says he's in charge!" Bunnymund frowned.

Toothiana smiled, "I am one hundred percent behind Jack."

North nodded, "Same here."

Sandy looked expectantly at the rabbit.

"Fine..." Bunnymund groaned.

...

After training North asked to meet with Jack privately. Handing him a bag, "This is yours."

It was his pager and a large sum of money from the looks of it. Jack's eyes went wide, "What is this?"

North smiled, "Is your pay. We already took out for your outfit so you owe us nothing. Also Jack...you are always being welcome to stay here."

Jack smiled thinking of how lucky he got with Pitch, "No, I'm good."

Later that day he ended up walking into work late and was immediately fired. Turns out he wasn't a model employee...but since he was planning to work with the guardians again it was probably for the best. At least he had managed to keep his shirts and name tag. He'd have to pretend like he was still working there anyways.

It wasn't until the next week that a couple villains made their appearance. They were only mid level and would prove to be no problem. Sure enough, the guardians took them out within minutes, working together beautifully as a team.

The news was abuzz, looking for answers from Jack. North tried to wave them off but Jack stepped up. There was a new determination on his face, looking into the camera, "I have a response for the Nightmare King," Silence rang out, everyone's eyes trained on Jack. "Fear can be a powerful tool to use. I have fears like everyone; not being good enough, not having any friends, being lonely, not being strong enough to protect people and heck I'm afraid of dying. But having fears doesn't make you weak. I have accepted my fears and I will grow stronger." Not caring to stick around for the aftermath he took to the air, his clothes billowing behind him as the other guardians settled the energetic press.

Rolling off the couch Jack hit the floor with a hard thud. Groaning he made his way out to the living room, his ear still practically ached from the lecture Toothiana gave him about not inciting villains.

Happy to see Pitch in his normal spot on the couch, he made his way over and sat beside him. Cracking open the book the tall man had lent him, "Hey Pitch... are you trying to say I'm short?" he eyed the older man playfully.

Glancing over from his own page with a smirk he replied teasingly, "Positively tiny."

Jack squinted and frowned at him, "Not only are you going to murder me, you're going to insult me?" He sniffed in mock offense.

"Were you expecting a kind murder? What's the fun in that?" Pitch chuckled, turning to look more fully down at the other.

Jack giggled, "I know I'm short to you but I'm an average size for a human." Feeling Pitch's full gaze upon him he couldn't help the slight blush that dusted his cheeks.

"Mmm true, I suppose height is simply one of the benefits of my race. Well, sometimes." He amended with a shrug. Was that a blush he saw on Jack's cheeks? Possibly but it was so faint it could be something else entirely. Even if it was it could be caused by any number of things.

"Yeah, I bet you're around six feet and nine inches." he commented in amusement.

Pitch stared at him and smirked, "Try another 12 inches~"

"Damn, I'm impressed," he chuckled to himself, wondering if Pitch even caught his joke.

He snorted, "I'm glad my genes could be impressive." Lips turning up into a knowing grin he quirked a delicate brow, "I also wasn't aware you enjoyed such crude humor."

"Whatever do you mean~?" Jack asked innocently. "It might be because I'm getting to know you more."

Pitch chuckled, "I'm glad you are feeling more comfortable here. Though I am curious, are you making friends Jack? You know you are more than welcome to have them over if you wish. Just let me know."

"Oh really?" He smiled. "Yeah I am! I'll have to do that some time!"

"The same applies to any...romantic interests you may have as well. I am hardly the type to judge." He smirked.

Jack raised an eyebrow, did he just imply he was bi? Jack smiled, "Well thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

Their playful banter was interrupted by the news, it featured his face as the top story to be told later. "He's back?" Jack said trying not to sound suspicious.

"It appears so..." Pitch murmured.

Repeating this morning's breaking news, they played the clip of Jack addressing the cameras before showing the clip of the guardians fighting. They appeared to be working flawlessly together. Soon the screen shifted to Caleb, replaying the clip of Jack Frost silently in the background.

The newscaster addressed him, "It appears your theory is looking more and more correct as time goes on. Do you have anymore thoughts?"

"Jack Frost clearly knows something we don't, I don't know what but I can guess he would have gotten it out of the criminal with the bruising and frostbite on his neck."

The woman was on the edge of her seat, "What do you think it was?"

Caleb looked concerned, "I'm not sure. It could be anything really involving the Nightmare King since we don't know anything. We don't even have any proof of that much besides Jack Frost's statement earlier."

She nodded, "Is it smart to be basing things on just one statement from a hero that we just met?"

Caleb shrugged, "Well we can at least pay attention to the rest of his statement. Jack Frost is saying he's human and willing to protect others even if he is afraid. No matter what I find some comfort in those honest words."

The newscaster then thanked Caleb for being on and told everyone that they will report more as the situation develops. Jack was a bit overwhelmed, he didn't realize everyone would take what he said so seriously and pick it apart, he even made national news.

"My it seems Jack Frost has been spurred into action. I must say I'm a bit impressed." Pitch mused, finding the heroes statement to be rather interesting. It seems when pushed his response was to retaliate...that could lead to quite a bit of fun. If Jack Frost and the guardians wanted a fight then he would give them one. It was time for the Nightmare King to make a personal appearance.

Jack was a bit surprised, "Huh? No critique?"

Pitch hummed, "I do find it a bit foolish, he doesn't truly know what to expect from this enemy after all. But I'm impressed he has chosen to act rather than turn a blind eye or run. He's one of the more interesting heroes in that sense."

Jack nodded, thinking. "But at the same time...we don't know that much about this Jack Frost. So if there is such a thing as the Nightmare King, unless Frost is over confident, he would approach carefully?" Jack reasoned aloud.

"I suppose we'll just have to see. This could become a rather large incident, or perhaps lead to nothing at all."

"Yeah...I hope it's nothing to big." Jack muttered.

It was a few days later when Pitch decided to make his move. The guardians arrived on the scene to find a few low level villains robbing a bank, Jack couldn't help but laugh at how cliche it all was. Following North's orders they quickly rounded them up and Pitch simply watched in amusement from the shadows as the pitiful excuse for villains were cuffed. It was time to show the world just what fear truly looked like. The fearlings were buzzing with excitement, wanting the chance to start. He let them go, their dark forms slithering along the ground and up the walls. The villains tensed as their bonds were released, seeing the darkness gathering around them they muttered in fear of the Nightmare King. Scrambling to their feet they bolted, the fear inside Jack's own heart growing and wanting him to do the same as the shadows coalesced around them. But he stayed put, it didn't feel natural but he told himself it was ok to be afraid which oddly relaxed his racing nerves minutely.

At first it was silent.

Then the chaos began.

People began to point and cry out as the fearlings took form, shadowy figures of all sizes stepped out from the writhing, dark mass blocking them in. The day turned to dusk, low light filtering through the shifting darkness. Feeding off the fear the shadows hissed in echoing laughter, taking the shape of the things those around them feared. Large beasts with gaping maws, teeth, and claws appeared as demons from their very nightmares.

North took in the scene around them, ordering into his earphone, "Jack put up wall. We need more time to be getting people to safety."

Instantly, Sandy leapt into action, whipping his golden lasso of sand around the nearby beasts and destroying them. Gazing into the shadows Jack's eyes widened, he saw bright golden eyes and a sinister, white pointy smile from deep within them. Taking a deep breath breath to calm himself he channeled the ice within him, creating a massive wall that loomed between them and a large hoard of the monsters. The shadows slithered over it but Sandy was able to pick them off one by one with ease. Meanwhile, the other guardians focused their efforts on moving people out of harm's way.

Pitch chuckled, the shadows picking up the sound and echoing it into a cacophony. Ordering the fearlings they swirled together, forming a giant beast that easily crushed the ice barrier. The shadows pressed in closer to the guardians, inky tendrils slithering out to grab and caress them. Pitch walked forward with them, wicked grin glinting in the low light, his eyes trained on the heroes. "You say you will fight fear guardians?" He chuckled, the shadows echoing and distorting his voice. "Fear is everywhere, it is the unifying factor in all living things. And you heroes are no better at fighting it than the common ilk around you."

Everyone was frozen in fear but watched the scene before them. Jack noticed it seemed as if something was increasing their fear. Trembling slightly he stood to his feet, "You know what's also a unifying factor?" Smirking as his hands shook, "We all take shits too!" The guardians couldn't believe it...what in the hell did Jack just say. However, they weren't stuck in place anymore, jarred from their fear by his ridiculous antics.

Pitch frowned, that was rather uncouth. Focusing his attention on the frost hero the shadows shot toward him, grasping him by his limbs and pulling him forward. A shadowy tendril snaked up his body, wrapping loosely about his neck. "Ah I remember you, Jack Frost right?" He smirked, stepping towards him. "Your response to me was adorable, especially considering that delicious, cold thrum of fear you currently have~" The other guardians rushed toward Jack but were easily stopped by the mass of fearlings.

Jack's heart beat rapidly and the shadows burned his skin making him yelp in pain. "Of course...I'm only human..." Struggling uselessly in his bonds he glared at the wraithlike man. "What are your fears? Dying? Not being good enough?"

Laughing he stepped before the hero, "Oh Frost, don't you know?" His hand reached up and caressed the soft skin of the heroes cheek, frost coating his fingers in the process. "I have no fear~" he purred darkly. "If you wish to stand against me I would love to watch you try." Thinking he'd left enough of an impression he dissolved into the shadows with a laugh, the fearlings following after him and leaving everything as it once was. With only the echo of the shadows hissing whispers and the festering wounds of fear placed in the hearts of those around to show they had been there at all.

Jack fell to the ground trying not to shake, the reporters would be there any second and he couldn't be seen quaking in fear. Toothiana ran to his side, looping an arm underneath him and helping him up, "What happened? Are you alright?"

"He returned my response personally...daring me to try and go against him." He murmured, a slight waver in his voice. Steeling himself he plowed ahead, trying to change the subject. "How are the people?"

North cut into the conversation, "Terrified, but doing better."

To the media's dislike the guardians left Sandy to handle the press conference, as he was the only one not shaken by their encounter with the Nightmare King. The small golden man simply flashed a few symbols above his head to inform them the villain had run away.

As they made their way back to the tower Jack could feel the phantom warmth of the shadows upon his skin.