Memories and Nightmares 7

"We were all someone before we were chosen," Tooth told Jack.

Everything was a whirlwind. If Jack thought he felt sick before it was nothing compared to now. His head felt as if it as being squeezed in a vice and he was sure his nose was bleeding. He felt as if he was tumbling backward in time, no longer seeing his life through Pitch's eyes but Pitch's, yet not Pitch's. He couldn't explain it but for some reason this new development didn't seem as if it were on purpose or even controlled. In fact, if he didn't know better, he would think that the Nightmare King was no longer in control what-so-ever, as if someone else had taken over the man's mind and flung them far into the past.

"What's happening?" he yelled out, hoping that Pitch would answer. But no answer came. It was as if Jack was alone and that frightened him all the more. This had to be some sort of trap.

Strange images flashed passed him, images of war and dark beings larger and more fearsome than the Nightmares. They wrapped around him, their touch one moment colder than the coldest ice the next scalding. Jack gasped in horror as they snaked around him. Then a moment later they were gone and Jack found himself laying in the middle of a battle field. For a moment he feared Pitch was forcing him to watch one of the wars that he had born witness to over his centuries as the spirit of winter but this place was unlike any he had seen on Earth. He was on another planet.

"Move it!" a familiar voice yelled from his left. Jack rolled over and stared in shock as a tall man in golden armor yelled at other men – obviously soldier – from on top of a golden steed. He grabbed a crate off of a peasant running by. "There's no room for belongings. Get to the ship and make sure every man, woman and child is aboard. You two, check the houses. I want no one left behind. Hurry, there's not much time."

The peasant scurried off as two soldiers rushed toward a series of houses.

Jack got to his feet and headed toward the leader, a general by the looks of it. It couldn't be… This man couldn't be Pitch. He almost jumped when the man turned his golden eyes on him. That face…it was Pitch and he was looking directly at him.

"You, get on the ship, now," the general snapped, his sword pointed at him Jack…or so Jack thought.

"But I can help," a small voice said from directly behind Jack. "I can fight."

Jack turned and to his surprise there stood a small grey and white rabbit like boy, the markings on his arms unmistakable. "Bunny?" Jack whispered. This Bunny was smaller than him.

"Aster, this is not up for debate. Your father will skewer me if anything happens to you. Now get on that ship. The Fearlings are making their big push. If you're not on that ship you'll be taken as well," this Pitch said, his eyes filled with worry and compassion for the rabbit. "Besides, I need you to take care of Sera. I'll be right behind you."

"Promise?"

"Always. Now go. I'll be on the next ship."

Young Bunny nodded once before hopping off after his own kind. Jack stared in amazement. There were thousands of them. Thousands of rabbit/human beings. An entire race. "He wasn't kidding," Jack muttered to himself. "But I thought Pitch was the one who killed them off not saved them."

Pitch raised his wrist close to his mouth. "Sanderson, the last of the civilians are boarding now. Once their ship clears the surface bring your fighters," he said into a device on his wrist.

Jack didn't hear the other side of the conversation but he didn't need to, he was pretty sure he knew who Pitch was talking to. A moment later the ship Bunny had fled to, took off and the sky filled with what appeared to be shooting stars as black creatures rushed the soldiers. Pitch gave a battle cry and rushed into the chaos of Fearlings as a wave of black galleons sped overhead toward the shooting stars. There were flashes of gun fire or some sort of weapon while swords clashed and people on both sides fell.

Jack couldn't interact with any of it. People and demons alike ran through him – there was no avoiding them. "Stop!" he yelled, hoping Pitch would stop this torture. Why was the shade showing him this? Was any of it actually real? Why was Bunny here? Was that Sandy Pitch had spoken to in that strange device? Where exactly was he? "Stop it! STOP IT!" he screamed, covering his ears at the sounds of agonized screams, concussions bombs, and hissing Fearlings. He squeezed his eyes shut in horror and fear.

Everything went eerily silent. Jack cracked his eyes open. He was no longer on the battle field but rather inside a golden palace. Blinking, Jack looked around. No, it wasn't just golden but intertwined with silver, looking a lot like marble. He was standing inside some sort of battle room. Soldiers stood about a large table with a huge blueprint spread out in the center. Pitch was standing next to a shorter man who wore far too fancy clothing to be a soldier or general. A king perhaps? Jack moved closer and stood next to Pitch to peer at the blueprint. A planet?

"It won't work," said a rich alto voice.

Jack glanced up and did a double take. "Sandy?" he asked but of course that golden man, a pilot by the look of things, didn't answer him. He was staring at the king. "Tsar Lunaroff, my apologies but there is no man alive who can guard this place. The Fearling and Dream Pirates are crafty and cunning. All it takes is one slip up and they will eat than person's mind. They will tear him apart until they break free."

Jack blinked. Sandy just spoke…with words…real words. He always thought the dreamweaver mute. He looked to Pitch. "Did you hear him? He spoke!"

"That's why I'm volunteering," Pitch said, looking at the small man.

"Then you're insane," Sandy countered.

"Kozmotis, think this through," a large rabbit-man said, looking a lot like Bunny only larger and far more threatening. "You'll be there for the rest of your life alone with those demons. It'll be complete lockdown. No one will be able to come or go. Supplies will be limited."

"I know, Eamon, and I understand the dangers," Pitch – Kozmotis – acknowledged.

What an odd name, Jack thought, surprised by what he was hearing.

"What about your daughter? Seraphina needs you," Eamon tried once more.

Kozmotis sighed. "Sera is a grown woman now and an accomplished warrior. She will take my place as general of the Golden Army. I entrust her with my position as should you."

"You're a fool," Sandy snapped before storming out of the chamber.

Jack was tempted to follow him, if only to hear his voice once more but he was fascinated by what was happening.

Kozmotis tapped the blue print, directly where a prison seemed to be built. "You are certain that even if something were to happen to me they won't be able to get out? If the alarm goes off you will detonate the entire planet, correct?"

The Tsar frowned but finally nodded. "I will do as you ask, but don't let it come to that. Regardless of what Eamon says I do want you to return to us. I want you home when Seraphina finally decides to marry and give you grandchildren."

The general laughed. "That best not be happening for many years old friend. I'm not ready to be a grandfather just yet."

Jack laughed. Yeah right, Pitch as a grandfather…wait…Pitch is a dad? He's got a kid? Who the hell is Seraphina? Why was he just learning this? Is she a spirit, too? Now Jack had way more questions than answers and it would appear Pitch was completely ignoring him now.

"Okay, seriously, this is all very entertaining but I think I'm ready to leave now," he told Pitch or Kozmotis or whatever the hell he wanted to call himself but of course the man wasn't listening to him. "Oh come on! Why are you even showing me this? I don't care who you used to be." That was a lie but he hoped that by angering the shade that maybe he'd bring them back to the real world. Jack went to hit his arm but wasn't expecting to fall through him and the tsar and land on the floor with a surprised thump. "What the..?"

His eyes widened. Pitch wasn't there; Kozmotis was only a memory of the shade. Then where was the Nightmare King? Was he even in control of his memories anymore? Was Jack somehow lost in Pitch's mind?

"Pitch?" he called out, jumping to his feet and looking all about. "Pitch Black? Where are you?" He stepped away from the table surrounded by the tsar, Kozmotis and soldiers. "Please, Pitch…you can stop now. Sandy? Sandy, can you hear me?" he called out, hoping that the real Sandy could hear his pleas for help. He was sure the dreamweaver was monitoring his mind and if anyone could help him it would be the Sandman. "Please, get me out of here!"

Jack inhaled sharply as the floor suddenly fell out from under him and he prayed that when he next awoke it would be back in the real world.