Falling Through Time 8

Present Day

Santoff Clausen was a rush of movement as everyone scrambled. Bunny didn't really notice as he was rushed to the infirmary. He barely made out Pitch's face, not that it mattered, his mind was slipping between consciousness and oblivion as it tried to adjust to the sudden flux in time. Memories that he could never recall before flooded him before vanishing, the exact period in time not yet set in stone yet as real as they would be if they were happening now; a press of a cold body, an offering of lips and gentle touches from one far too young but noticeably his. He couldn't gather his thoughts and place the pieces together no matter how much he tried until finally he just had to give up and let darkness take him.

"What happened?" North demanded, taking Bunny from Pitch with a suspicious glare. Yes Pitch was now a Guardian but when it concerned Bunny North was always a little weary of rather or not the shade had done something to cause whatever injury the Pooka may have sustained. It was a natural fear for his best friend, after all Pitch had been the cause of Bunny's race being destroyed and had targeted the last remaining Pooka ever since his discovery on Earth. Well not so much Pitch but the Fearlings that once inhabited him.

"Not sure," Pitch said, ignoring the glare as he watched the Pooka be carried to a cot. "Sandy and I just got back when I found him on the floor. He was having a seizure."

"Seizure?" That wasn't good. North gathered some tools and placed them on the side table. Taking up a small pen light he carefully opened one of Bunny's eyes and flashed the light, as he hoped those emerald eyes reacted.

"Get that brimy light out of my eyes, you gumby," Bunny grumbled, squeezing his eyes shut and turning his head away.

Pitch gave a little laugh. "As charming as ever."

"Hush," North reprimanded Pitch as he gently turned Bunny's head back to him. "What happened, Aster? Are you alright?"

The Pooka only shook his head and pushed back into the pillow. "No," he murmured. "Something's not right…I don't know. I just need…" Bunny was back to sleep before he could finish his sentence.

North looked to Pitch but the shade raised his hands innocently. He hadn't forced Bunny to go to sleep and Sandy wasn't in the room and there was not a trace of golden dreamsand anywhere. Sighing, North sat next to the Easter spirit and ran a hand through his fur as he would long ago. "Kozmotis, we need to find Jack. Wherever he is it's starting to affect Bunny. I…I can't lose them both."

Pitch stared at the Russian. As much as he joked and teased North that he might be working the Guardians from the inside he truly wasn't. After being one of them for nearly a century he had grown quite fond of them, his human side once more in full control of his body and mind. Jack was his grandson and once a long time ago Bunny was the child of his best friend from the Golden Age. He saw both boys as his own children – yes, Bunny was very much like his own child, the one he often wanted to strangle but it wasn't always like that, next to Sandy, Bunny had also been his oldest enemy. He placed a hand on North's shoulder.

It's not a matter of where," he told the larger man, smiling sadly when the large man looked at him in confusion. "It's a matter of when. Lunar believes Jack's trapped somewhere in time and judging by what just happened to Bunny I would bet money Jack's in the past. I just don't know how far in the past he is. It could be weeks, months, maybe even years or centuries. Perhaps further but wherever he is he's directly affecting Aster and only he can find Jack."

North shook his head. "If history is changing why aren't we affected?"

"How do you know we're not? We can't travel through time like Aster."

"No, we can't," North said thoughtfully as he smoothed the fur around Bunny's muzzle. His eyes brightened. "But I know someone who can."

. . .

Past

Jack backed away from Bunnymund, his hand over his mouth and eyes wide. "I'm sorry," he breathed, fear causing him to shake uncontrollably. What was he doing? Yes this was Bunny but not his Bunny. He needed to get away before he did anything else to screw up history. He needed to fly, to get as far away from Bunnymund as possible and hide. Even if it meant being alone again until he reached his own time and then reunite with his love. He couldn't risk destroying the Guardians by being here any longer. But before he could get more than ten feet he was pounced to the ground by his future lover.

"Jack, stop," Bunnymund said sharply, rolling the youth until Jack was on his back and staring up at him. "I know where you're from. I know who you are."

Jack shook his head. "You know nothing. Let me go. I have to leave."

"And where would you go? The Nightmare King is after you."

Without thinking, Jack struck out and landed a hit to the side of Bunnymund's head. It wasn't hard enough to hurt the Pooka – he would never try to actually hurt his Bunny – but he hoped it was enough to stun Bunnymund. All it did was knock off his tinted glasses and reveal those emerald eyes Jack loved so much. It was Jack's undoing. He stared up into those surprised orbs and felt the fight leave him. "You don't understand," was all he could say, wishing beyond hope that he could just curl in his love's arms and dismiss everything that had happened in the last few days as a bad dream. "If this continues then I'm going to screw everything up."

"I know," Bunnymund said, surprising Jack. "I can smell it on you…the future me. You're my…his mate, aren't you?"

Jack nodded, unable to form the words.

A rare smile lit Bunnymund's face. "Then for once I'm not worried," he whispered, bring his muzzle down to nuzzle Jack's face before slowly licking Jack's lower lip.

Jack's fear spiked as he ran over all the possible consequences through his mind. They quickly fled as Bunnymund pressed his body into Jack's, that accursed jacket being the only thing separating them.

Bunnymund let go of Jack's wrists and circled his arms around that lithe form and pulled Jack closer. For the first time since losing his people and mate years earlier, Bunny felt complete, as if this boy, his future self's mate, had finally filled that empty space in his heart and for that he could never let Jack go.

. . .

From the shadows the Nightmare King snarled is disgust. This was not happening. His soon-to-be Darkling Prince was not going to be tainted by that pathetic excuse for a Pooka. His hands curled into fists. Oh this would not do, it would not do at all. He called forth his Fearlings, breaching the magical wards Ombric had installed. He would calm this boy even if he had to rip him from the Pooka's cold dead carcass. He would not lose Jack as he did Katherine and Nightlight.

. . .

Nicholas looked up as the sky darkened and the waxing moon was blocked out. A Fearling attack? There hadn't been a Fearling attack in well over a year. He grabbed his swords and rushed out to the town center were the towns people were gathering.

"Petre, sound the alarms, lad," he yelled to one of the teenage boys. "Quickly now, everyone to the shelter."

The villagers were like a well-oiled machine. Since Pitch's arrival a few years back Ombric had schooled everyone in what to do should the Fearlings attack. There was an underground shelter larger enough to accommodate every man, woman and child with enough food and water do last for weeks on head should the need ever arrive. Everyone but the Guardians were sent there until the battle was over. Should Pitch win there were tunnels that led to the Warren where the villagers could survive for however long was necessary.

Nicholas pointed the way and moved as quickly as he could to get everyone on their way. He wasn't sure where the attack would take place but he wasn't taking chances. He glanced up, smiling when he saw Toothiana flying about, gathering the children and ushering them to the entrance.

"Where's Sanderson?" he yelled up to her.

"Haven't seen him," the fairy queen yelled back. "Nightlight's on his way."

He gave a nod then turned to Katherine who was standing next to him, her dagger in hand and ready for battle. Kailash, her giant snow goose, stood slightly behind the girl also looking ready for a fight. Nicholas shook his head. "No, my girl, you're going with the others," he said sternly, taking her by an arm and gently pushing her toward the entrance. "I won't have Pitch trying to steal away again, dah?"

"But I can fight! You and Aster taught me!" she objected, grabbing the edge of the door and trying to stop him.

"That you can but I'd feel much better if you were with the villagers protecting them. I'll send Nightlight down the moment he gets here. Please, Kat, don't argue. I'll be back soon."

"Promise?" she asked, her grey eyes wide and pleading.

He smiled gently, his eyes soft with adoration. "Of course," he said before grunting as the girl threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back, placing his cheek on her head before ducking down and placing a chastised kiss on her forehead. "This won't take long. No go on, quickly."

She gave a nod and gestured for Kailash to follow her. The teen easily took charge and led the villagers to the underground shelter while Nicholas turned to find the other Guardians. Bunnymund and Jack should still be in the clearing. Surely they must have noticed the Fearlings by now. He dashed past Big Root, pausing long enough to stick his head and the door and tell Ombric to go underground. Of course the old wizard would never listen but he gave it a try. With luck Ombric would be able to take care of himself.

The odd thing was the Fearlings weren't really attacking the town, they were converging on the clearing where Jack and Bunnymund were. The two seemed oblivious at first and if Nicholas didn't arrive when he did the two would have been run through by Pitch. He leapt, diving between the Nightmare King and Bunnymund and wrapped his arms around both the Pooka and the youth and rolled them out of the way, his leg getting nicked by the shade's sword in the process. He gave a grunt and flopped on his side with both Bunnymund and Jack. He let them go and rolled to his feet, stepping between them and Pitch but the Nightmare King had already taken to the shadows and reformed next to Jack. He reached to grab the boy but o everyone's surprise the youth kicked out, hitting Pitch in the stomach before flipping to his feet and taking a defensive stance.

"I don't want to fight you," Jack said, his voice low and menacing, as if he was larger than he actually was. There was something in his eyes that made Nicholas think the boy was telling the truth even though he looked more than ready to take down the shade by himself if he needed to. It made the older male feel a tinge of pride as well as curiosity. Obviously there was more to this than any of them knew.

Pitch tilted his head, regarding the boy with interest. He suddenly held out his hand. "Then leave this unruly lot and come with me. I can show you things these miscreants can only imagine."

Jack kept himself between the dark king and the two Guardians, his eyes narrowed but not threatening. "You might not understand this now but you already have and while I appreciate that I'm not joining you, not now, not ever. And believe it or not, that's a good thing."

Confusion filled the shade's face. "You are a strange boy, little one. You would make a fine Darkling son."

Jack gave a tiny laugh. "Okay, that's different; usually it's Fearling Prince or some nonsense. Anyway, thanks but no thanks. I'm pretty sure Seraphina will knock you six ways from Sunday if you try."

Pitch's eyes narrowed this time. "What do you know of her?"

"Call off the attack and we'll talk."

"Jack…" Bunnymund began, a silent warning that by telling Pitch anything it could affect the future.

The Nightmare King's eyes glowed brightly and he made to grab Jack. The boy's shadow altered and reformed, stretching up to snake around the youth's legs. "I will not have my Darkling child associate with this filth."

Jack gasped when he felt the shadows slither over his cafes. "No!" he yelled, trying to step away only to nearly topple. Fear course through him. Pitch had done this before, used his own shadow against him to try and trap him back before they became friends and allies. But like then he wasn't going to go down without a fight. His fear turned to panic and as it rushed through him he felt that familiar twinge of power sing through him. It wasn't much and completely out of his control but it rushed through him and lashed out at the shadows at his feet. They flash froze then crumbled into blue-black snow.

Pitch stepped back in surprise and then his eyes flashed with renewed interest. "You are simply full of surprises," he hummed.

"Down!" Bunnymund yelled as he leapt over Jack, his jeweled egg tip staff in hand.

Jack hit the ground, surprised by the Pooka's choice of weapon. A moment later Nicholas had also joined the fray but Jack didn't pay them any attention. He stared at his feet and the little circle of ice that now surrounded them. His powers had returned. It was rather limited but they were back. Now if only he could gain some form of control once more.

He gave a yelp when two Fearlings sudden grabbed his arms and he was yanked into the air. "No!" he cried, trying to summon that power again but no matter how much he tried it would not come back.

"Jack!" Bunnymund yelled leaping after them.

Fearling came from all asides and lashed out at the Pooka as others charged Nicholas while Jack was carried further and further away. It took a burst of blinding white light to make them flee. Jack was dropped from nearly a hundred feet in the air. It happened so quickly he didn't even have a chance to cry out as the ground rushed toward him.

. . .

Present Day

Nightlight paced the entire length of the original Santoff Clausen. Now all that stood there was a farm that belonged to North and one last descendant of the people who once lived here. Yetis worked the fields and paid him little mind as he wandered the vast grounds. Everything looked as they had for centuries. There were a few new trees and gardens but that was all. Still, he followed his instincts, his eyes scanning the ground until he came upon something that seemed utterly out of place yet knew had been there far longer than even the farm had been. A patch of ground forever frozen black and blue. It ran deep into the ground where a wave of winter magic had hit the ground so hard that it made an impression that would last until the end of time. No amount of spring or summer magic would ever change that patch of ground. Regardless, Nightlight knelt next to it and placed a hand just over the ice, feeling out the magic connected to it before touching it. He inhaled sharply as memories rushed to him; a long ago battle that he could not remember ever taking place. A memory that should not exist.

"Jack…" he whispered in his ethereal voice. Jack was here but not in this time.