The Boogieman sulked in his hole. It had now been a year and three months since that night, the night the Guardians defeated him and left him to be dragged into his lair by his own Nightmares. He had not nearly the strength he used to have, and watched bitterly as light after light appeared on the globe in front of him.

Suddenly, he heard faintly, someone calling his name. It was not a welcome voice, nor did it make him the least bit happy. Reluctantly, since he knew the voice would not leave until he had answered, the Nightmare King went topside to greet his guest with a growl and a huff.

"Jack Frost. Come to gloat have you? Hmm? Come to see my misery and laugh at my pathetic state? Well go on then, not that I expected any more from you."

The Guardian of Fun perched on his staff and shook his head as he hopped down, leaning on a tree with the crook under his arm

"I didn't come to gloat, Pitch. I came to talk."

Curious, the Nightmare King hid it well with a mask of impatience. "So talk!"

"I know what you want most." The boy said. "I know because you told me that day, the day we fought you. I know because for 300 years I wanted the same thing. I can help you get it. So, why don't we make a deal, just you and me. If I can fulfill your greatest wish, you leave the children alone except to do your job. You also leave the Guardians alone. Forever."

"Intriguing. And if you fail?"

Jack took a deep breath. "If I fail to get you what you've craved since the Dark Ages ended...then I will let you feed off my fear forever. And..." he looked the man in the eyes "I will take the brunt of your wrath you hold against the Guardians."

Pitch was taken aback. But snickered darkly

"You make a good offer, boy. A dangerous gamble, but a good offer."

He held out his hand "You have yourself a deal. What of the others? When you lose what are you planning on telling them about their plan to reform me?"

Jack smiled at him and shook his hand. "No one else knows about this. I came to you by myself."

Pitch found himself surprised for the second time that day. Jack Frost had sought him out on his own, without backup? What if Pitch, weak as he was, had come out in attack mode and injured him?

"You came here...on your own...to talk to me without telling the others? Why?" he didn't make an effort to disguise the honest bewilderment in his voice.

Jack looked at him with a sparkle of understanding in his eyes.

"Because I know what it's like to be invisible. I know what it feels like to be passed through by everyone that comes in contact with me. I know what it is...to not be believed in. You meant it as a ploy when you told me how we were so much alike but now I'm telling you that it struck home. I know your pain, and I'm willing to put myself on the line to get you freed from that feeling...that fate."

He turned to go, a smile gracing his lips.

"Watch the lights on your globe Pitch. Watch them carefully. Watch them and know that I'm not just blowing steam. You WILL be believed in again. I'm betting my freedom on it."