Moonbeams and Sunshine 10
The burst of fear came and went so quickly Pitch was unsure if it had actually happened. It was Jack's fear, he knew that for a fact but the speed – only a handful of seconds – had hit him like a brick wall and had he not been seated and strapped down he might have stumbled back. Instead he gave a small wince and tried again to attach his mind to that of the frightened sprite. His grandson – it was still hard to think of Jack that way some times – was in turmoil, his thoughts clouded and jumbled. It felt like swimming through molasses and Pitch soon felt a head ache coming on. He pressed his fingers to his temples and pulled away from Jack's mind.
There was another's fear calling to him, one that was impossible to ignore no matter how much he tried. Bunnymund sat next to him, his eyes tightly closed and claws digging into the armrests of his seat. His brows were bunched and jaw set as he fought down his anxiety. In the rush to reach Jack the Pooka had foregone being put to sleep in order to be ready to jump into battle – if he stomach survived the trip. The fact that the Pooka was still conscious and had yet to throw up – thank Moon – impressed Pitch. With luck he'll be okay through the landing as well.
"Jack's alright," he told Bunny, hoping that would ease a little of his tension. The fear was delicious but he needed to keep focused on Jack not be distracted by the Pooka's anxiety. "He's a strong boy. He can hold his own."
Bunny nodded but kept his eyes closed. "I know."
"What the…" North suddenly said from the front of the ship. The ship began to shake as they entered the atmosphere. Swirling grey clouds filled the vast majority of the sky and the winds bombarded the ship the moment it passed through them, making the shaking all the more worse. North cursed as he fought to keep the ship under control.
Bunny cursed even louder as his claws tore into the arm rests. "Land this thing!" he yelled.
Seraphina's eyes began to glow brightly and a moment later the clouds broke and the flight became smooth again as blue skies appeared. "They're already making their push," she said, removing her harness to take the co-pilot seat next to North. She gestured to the storm clouds ahead and the freezing and golf ball size hail falling. The ground far below was covered in a thick layer of snow and ice already. "The temperature is far below seasonal. They're freezing everything."
"How?" North asked in surprise. He had battled the Ice King and Queen in his youth when they had tried to bring another Ice Age but he was certain they hadn't been able to freeze the world this quickly. The look Seraphina gave him said it all. He dropped his voice to a whisper so Bunny would not hear. "Jack?"
She gave a nod. "I'll try to clear us a path to their palace, but it's going to get bumpy." She turned back to the approaching storm, her eyes blazing as she drew her powers from the Earth. "Hold tight."
. . .
Jack awoke in the large bed in the room he had been locked in. His head hurt and he felt nearly as weak as a kitten. He sighed, lifting his head only enough to frown at how bright the room always was. Didn't they hear of turning off the light? He felt as if he was laying out under the bright sun. He pushed his face into the pillow, trying to find some form of darkness to help ease to thumping pain behind his eyes, but it did no good. If anything his head hurt more and he couldn't break that chill that had taken him since the first time the Queen touched him. He needed warmth.
"Bunny," he murmured, wanting to wrap himself in his mate's fur. He hated this unnatural cold, it was so unlike the cold that had surrounded him for all his immortal life. His cold was fun even if it could be dangerous at times but this cold…this was the cold that people died in. He shivered under the thick blanket over him that did nothing to warm him. His frown grew when the door opened and two guards stepped in.
"You're Highness," one said, bowing to him.
He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Are you serious?" he moaned to himself. Sighing, he sat up. There was no point in arguing the fact. No one listened to him anyway. "Yes?"
"Dinner is served," the guard said, sweeping an arm toward the door. "If you will follow us."
He was about to decline but not wanting to be dragged to wherever the dining room was he decided better of it and got to his feet. Besides, a little food might him feel better and renew some of his strength. He followed the guards through the long twisting corridor until they came to large dining room with a table large enough to fit all the Guardians and probably most of North's Yetis. He was ushered to a seat midway down the table, directly between the two monarchs and the guards took posts behind him. Two more guards went to either side of the main doors and another two guarded the entrance to the kitchen. Obviously they weren't taking any chances of his running because he couldn't see there being guards whenever the King and Queen ate.
The food was a little surprising considering they were in the Antarctic and such dishes were not usually found in the area; Cornish game hen, sweet potato, peas and apple sauce. They were his favorites and North made it for him at least once every month or so. There was also a large mug of steaming hot chocolate and Jack's heart soared at the sight of it. Not bothering with manners – after all being kidnapped, drained and told everything you ever believed in was a lie threw such things out the window – he grasped the mug and took a long drink before his magic could cool it and was immensely happy for the warmth that flowed through him even if he did burn his tongue – even that was better than the freezing cold that had consumed him since his arrival. His hunger also peaked. He hadn't ate a thing since being brought here and with no change in lighting or shadows to judge by he was sure if he been there only a few hours or days. He dug into the food, not noticing until he was half-way through the sweet potato that neither the King nor Queen had any food before them and were only sipping wine. Neither spoke a word to him as they watched him eat, as if he was the most amusing thing they had ever seen. He swallowed and wiped his mouth with a dainty looking napkin.
"Are you enjoying your food, Prince Jakul?" the Queen asked in a silky voice that sent a chill through Jack.
"Uhm…yes, thank you," he said lamely, cringing at the name but not sure what else to say. "It's delicious." He poked at the peas, wanting to eat ore but suddenly too nervous to finish. He needed to escape, to find a way out and alert the Guardians…or at least get somewhere where his powers would return to him and he could think clearly. He hated to admit it but he was starting to question MiM and how he came to be. He was starting to wonder if the Ice King and Queen were telling the truth, even if only partially. His mind was still far too sluggish for his liking and when he tried to think his head only hurt more.
"Is there something wrong, Prince Jakul?" the King asked. "Is something not to your liking?"
He shook his head, staring at his half empty plate. "No…it's nothing. May I be excused?"
"No, my darling," the Queen said. She stood up and came up behind him. Her cold hands clasped his slim shoulders. "You need to regain your strength. We cannot do this without you."
"I won't help you create another Ice Age," he said firmly. "You'll kill everything and everyone on the planet."
"The strong will survive," she said smoothly, as if it was no real concern to her.
"You're cr-"
The doors to the dining room were suddenly thrown open and group of soldiers rushed in. The captain slapped a fist over his chest and bowed to them. "You're Highnesses, a vessel approaches at high speed," he reported.
The King growled and stood, his blue hands fisted on the table. "Destroy it and anyone else who comes near the palace," he ordered as the temperature dropped in the room.
The captain bowed and he and the soldiers rushed out. Jack saw his opportunity. He shoved his chair back, knocking the Queen into the guards and darted under the table. He rolled to his feet and made a break for the door before anyone could stop him. The King raised his hand and sent a gust of wind to shut the doors but Jack managed to squeeze through before they closed. The cloak tore when it got caught but Jack didn't care. He race in the opposite direction of the soldiers, not quite sure where he was going but praying there was some sort of exit in that direction. Behind him he heard the King and Queen bellowing orders and soon the pounding of many booted feet as the guards gave chase. Jack pushed himself faster. There, a double set of doors and what seemed to be a courtyard beyond awaked him. Freedom. But there were guards there as well and as they saw Jack racing toward them they blocked the doors. Jack tried turning into the next corridor instead only to have someone grab the cloak and before he could shrug it off he was thrown to the ground and pinned by four guards, each one holding a limp down. He thrashed and yelled, ordering the off him only to have the Ice King and Queen appear behind one guard.
"Jakul," the Queen said, as if disappointed by a naughty child. "What were you thinking?"
"Let me go!" he yelled, fighting as best he could. "I won't help you take billions of lives. I won't let you cause another Ice Age." He closed his eyes tightly as the King knelt above his head and took his face in his icy grip. He would not look in the man's eyes. He would not let them use his powers for evil. He would not become their Winter Prince.
He felt what little energy he had regained being sucked away from him but rather than give in he wrapped his mind and soul around it, fighting to keep within him. It was a battle of wills that hurt more than any physical blow. Soon it became too much but rather than give in he screamed loud and long and he unleashed his power into nature where it would disperse rather than attack anything or anyone. Without it the King and Queen had nothing and the guards finally let him up.
Enraged the King grabbed him by the hair and yanked him to his feet before twisting one arm painfully behind his back. "Clever little sprite," he snarled, shoving him back toward the heart of the palace. "But you will learn your place."
"You'll have to kill me first," Jack snapped back, only to have his hair and arm yanked harder. Regardless, he struggled and stomped his bare foot onto the King's, suddenly wishing he had worn the boots the Queen had tried to make him wear. All he got for his effort was a sore heel and his neck wrenched painfully to one side and the King made him look him in the eye. "No!" he cried but it was no use. His fear screamed out to the only person he knew could hear him and hopefully guide to others to him.