Jack Frost sat in an endless, repeating nightmare for what felt like ages. He couldn't take it. The replaying of his sister's life. The agony she had to go through. All because he died. Maybe he deserved this. For all of those dangerous stunts he pulled.

Jack watched a new vision this time around. Jill sat on the front step with paper in her hand, sketching. He tilted his head and looked around at her drawing. It a charcoal image of their family. The four of them, together and happy.

Then he remembered.

Sophie.

He had to get home. He couldn't let himself be trapped in this nightmare any longer. He had a promise to keep. He had to take care of his best friend's sister. He needed to get to her and make sure she was okay.

He couldn't change the past. But he could take care of the present.

The scenery wavered. He saw black stained walls were right within arms reach. He ran and gripped at what looked like air. For a moment, it felt like he was going to pass right though. He willed himself to grip into the wall and began to climb. The scenery flickered once more before disappearing.

Those monsters. The Fearlings. They grabbed onto his legs, dragging him back. He yelled out, kicking them. He tried to send a frost attack, but without his staff, he was virtually useless. Jack pulled himself away from them and jumped up, gripping the wall once more. He climbed and climbed, fighting off the Fearlings the whole time. He had been dragged back and put back into the nightmare several times before he had been able to climb high enough to see light.

Oh, light. The Moon. He reached for it, exhausted by his efforts. He silently begged that once… just once, help him out. Just a little.

Miraculously, his wish had been granted.

The light of the moon shone upon the Fearlings as Jack climbed a little higher. The light of the moon caused them to screech and fall back into the pit. Jack felt a surge of energy that allowed him to pull himself out of the hole.

Reaching the surface Jack collapsed and turned up to the Moon. He couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you."

Jack laid there, in the clearing staring up gratefully to the moon until the sun rose. Then, he sat up and looked around the clearing. His heart dropped. He had not realized he had been laying on green grass. Flowers were in bloom.

It was spring.

How long had he been in the pit? Surely not more than a few hours. Maybe a few days, at most. It was still November, right?

In the grass, he noticed something. A large branch? He walked closer. It was his staff. The frost that usually coated it had melted. He picked it up expecting his touch to freeze it once more, but no. "What…?" he aimed the staff at a tree and released a surge of power.

There were only a few sparks of ice.

What happened? Where had his power gone? He looked at his sweater. Even the frost there was disappearing.

Then he realized it.

He was a Guardian now. His power relied on the belief of children.

What had Pitch done?

Jack lept into the air in an attempt to fly. He needed the other Guardians. He needed help. But his sad attempted caused him to tumble and land on his back. What was he going to do? Where was he going to go?

He heard a chuckle and he froze. The winter spirit quickly scrambled to his feet and aimed his staff, looking around wildly for the source.

"All out of juice?"

"Show yourself, Pitch!" Jack called out.

"Or what? You're going to freeze me? You look like you need some cooling down yourself." The shadows chuckled. "What? Did you not like my nightmares? Now you know what I went through. For thirteen years, Jack Frost. I had to endure that. You were lucky enough to escape in five months."

Five months. That's how long he had been gone. Through the whole winter, he had disappeared. It was April… Oh, no.

"That's right. There wasn't a winter this year." Pitch came out of the shadows and walked towards Jack. "Oh, how the children were disappointed. Especially the ones that have previously enjoyed your company. Oh, their daydreams. 'Perhaps we only imagined him!' 'He can't be real!' 'Jack Frost would never forget about winter!'" Pitch laughed. Jack swung at him with his staff. Pitch leaned out of the way. "You've been forsaken, Jack Frost. Just has I have. Maybe you should just fall back into the nightmares. At least you are missed there."

Jack lunged. Pitch moved out of the way and grabbed Jack's hood, throwing him against a tree. He laughed. "Oh, how you have fallen, Jack. You should have taken my offer thirteen years ago."

Jack struggled as Pitch held him against the tree with his own staff. "The-The Guardians—" Jack weakly attempted a threat. Pitch laughed even more.

"Oh, yes, they did notice your disappearance. They are looking for you, rest assured. Unfortunately, they are on the wrong trail. The Fearlings are leading them anywhere but here. They won't be coming to your rescue anytime soon."

Fearlings cropped up around Jack. Pitch nodded to them and they grabbed his arms and legs and kept him pressed against the trunk as Pitch pulled his staff away. "You won't be needing this, will you? It's useless. Clearly, snapping it won't get rid of it. Perhaps I should burn it."

"No—ah!" Black sand crossed over Jack's eyes. Everyone had forgotten about him. Even Jamie. Even… "Sophie…" He imagined her alone. He had broken his promise to her and Jamie. He hadn't been there for her. He wouldn't blame her if she had forgotten him.

But their kiss. Her confession. Everything they've done together. She had to remember that. It was the single most heart pounding experience of his life and he was sure the feeling was mutual.

He shook his head. Jamie nor Sophie could ever forget him. He pulled away from the Fearlings and lunged, grabbing his staff. Pitch and Jack wrestled for it until finally, Jack tumbled away from him, gripping it tightly.

"Ah, I see. You won't give in to the nightmares any longer, will you? Your resistance is incredible." The Fearlings surrounded Jack, smirking and snickering. Jack looked up at them. "Then perhaps, you can join us."

The Fearlings rose in excitement, ready to plunge with Pitch's mark. He raised his hand, a smirk, taking in Jack's fear and desperation for the last time.

"Daddy?"

Pitch and Jack both froze. Pitch slowly turned to the voice and the Fearlings backed away from Jack. Jack pulled himself up to see who had spoken.

It was a woman. Tall, graceful. She had a very nurturing air about her. She wore a long dress of flower petals and and leaved. Vines made a circlet. Flowers and beads decorated her tangled, long brown hair. She was vibrant in color. Jack recognized her as Mother Nature. They had only met twice and very briefly. But there was no mistaking her.

She stepped forward and Pitch backed down. He was in shock.

"Mischa…"

"Daddy, what are you doing?" the woman walked up to the man, completely unafraid. She was just a head shorter than him. Pitch was frozen.

"….'Daddy?'" Jack repeated. What was going on?

"Mischa, what are you—?"

"You've upset the balance. The Man in the Moon asked me to restore it." she took Pitch's hands in hers. "Daddy, please stop. You've done enough. No more."

Jack took the opportunity to crawl back, away from the still leering Fearlings and Pitch.

"Mischa, I—"

"There is no excuse for your crime, Daddy. I know your intentions. I know your pain. But you have to let it go. You've been going about this the wrong way all this time. Please, Kozmotis. You are better than this."

Jack was amazed as he watch Pitch simply give in to her. This woman who had called him father. This woman that he showed clear tenderness to. He wondered if they had ever met in this life. From the way both of them were acting, they had not. They had missed each other. Although, Mother Nature's disappointment was clear, so was her happiness with their reunion.

Mother Nature looked to Jack. He scrambled to his feet and stood at attention.

"Jack Frost, you can go. I will handle Pitch."

"I…" Jack couldn't. He couldn't fly. He had no power left. Nature frowned and hummed a bit.

"Where shall I send you?"

Jack thought for a moment. The most sensible place to be sent would be with one of the Guardians. But Jack had to know. And the Guardians would be able to find him. Nature promised to take care of Pitch, which meant the Fearlings would be taken care of as well.

"Jamie Bennett." he nodded. "I need to see a man called Jamie Bennett."

"Are you sure?" Nature asked.

"Yes."

Nature touched her fingertips together and nodded towards him. He offered a smile until he felt something grab onto him. Jack cried out, struggling against the attack. Mother Nature smiled, amused. He looked down. Vines had wrapped themselves around Jack and pulled him back against a tree. He braced himself for impact, but only felt himself sinking through the rough bark. It didn't hurt, though. He was engulfed in darkness.

As soon as he was taken by it, he was spit back out. He was still shaken from the experience.

The boy looked up at the apartment complex Jamie lived in. He and a few friends decided to rent an apartment by campus rather than room in the dorms. Jack had never been so relieved.

He only hoped his first believer was also his last.

A/N: Sorry if I have any information about Pitch's daughter wrong. I haven't read the books. But some tumblr users helped me out, so thank you~ I know Pitch didn't have much of an appearance, but he wasn't even supposed to be in the story in the first place. He's just the cause for later events. So, I really am very sorry if Pitch's daughter's portrayal is incorrect. Believe me, when I have money, I'm going to be getting the books~

Also, guys. Guys. I emailed fanfic dot net to add Sophie to the character list. Guess who's on the list now? Aw yeah.