Dizgirl: Yay new chapter! :D Not so yay-this is the end of what I've already written. That doesn't mean I'm abandoning this! I've decided to finish it, but there are going to be long breaks between chapters. I really want to finish my other fic in progress (Because of Him) so I'm going to give that priority over this one. But when I need breaks from that one I'll work on this and post as I write. :3

Hope you enjoy and love!

Chapter 11: A Change in the Game

PRESENT

Bunny couldn't believe his eyes. Literally, he couldn't believe them. He blinked once and then again, not sure if he could accept it or not. He could see. Not much, not well, and definitely not enough for him to do much about it, but he was seeing more than just blackness. Everything was still clouded and dim, like he was in a room full of heavy dark smoke, but it was something.

For the first time in the many hours he had been stuck here he could—vaguely—see his surroundings. He was in a large room, as he had guessed, chained to a stone floor at the center of it. As far as he could tell with his limited visibility and the gloomy lighting, the floor sloped up from where he was and reached walls that were broken into archways. Beyond that everything was too dark for him to make out. Straight in front of him was something large and narrow, like an angular column, though he almost thought it was a throne of some kind.

Honestly, he didn't care. He could see it. Which meant that whatever Pitch had done to him wasn't permanent. He could recover. But what had done it? Was it just a power that eventually wore off? Or had it been weakened in some way? Its potency came from Jack's fear…so the only thing that should be able to weaken it was Jack not being afraid, right?

This thought gave him a surge of courage and hope. Was Jack finding a way to resist Pitch? Or had Sandy managed to fight off the nightmares? Were all the Guardians involved now, aware of the issue, and protecting their youngest member? Whatever the case may be, something had improved and it was lifting Bunny's spirits dramatically. He wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed since Pitch had left, but he assumed it had been about eight hours. He had another sixteen to go. Maybe by then he'd have his vision back completely.

Bunny had continued his limited study of the layout and his restraints, mapping out all possibilities of escape. Hours passed and he silently wondered how far into the twenty-four hour break they were. His answer came in the form of a hot stinging pain to his eyes. He hissed, doubling over as they burned. Tears formed quickly and fell to the ground and on his legs. He wanted to rub them, wanted to do something to alleviate the painful sensation, but in his current position all he could was squeeze them shut and wait out the pain.

Eventually, it subsided and he waited several minutes in silent relief before attempting to open them. He slowly did so, relaxing as that did not bring any further hurt, and looked around. Darkness. Nothing but darkness. Nothing but black on all sides. He was blind again.

Bunny let out a quiet curse, letting his head drop back down again. Why? Why had it come back? Was it as he had suspected? That Jack had begun to grow stronger, begun to resist? That he and the other Guardians had found some way to fight back? But if that was true, then that meant that now the boy had succumbed to Pitch and his fears again.

Bunny felt his stomach sink. That was his fault. He was the one who had guessed wrong and therefore lost the chance for Jack to have more hours of peace. He should know his fellow Guardian better, should know him well enough to answer questions about what it is the boy feared the most. Instead he had been making stabs in the dark, leaving Jack at Pitch's mercy.

But at the same time… a wave of hot anger spread through him. He was also blind, trapped, hungry, exhausted, injured and unable to do anything but answer questions! He couldn't do this by himself! And he needed almost as much help as Jack! Were the other Guardians aware of what was happening? He knew Sandy was in on the situation, but they hadn't told North and Tooth about it yet. Sandy was supposed to let them know, but that was just before the fight in the forest, and Bunny had been taken before he could find out.

Whether they knew or not, that still left both Jack and Sandy aware that Bunny wasn't just sitting in his Warren having a good time while they were struggling with this problem. Surely they knew that he was captured or at least knew he was missing. They wouldn't expect him to just go wandering off! So they had to be looking for him. North and Tooth had to know. And if they were all involved then he would very much like to be rescued now, dammit!

Bunny groaned, the anger fading and leaving him despondent once more. Where were his fellow Guardians? What was Pitch doing to Jack right now that was causing him to be so scared it was blinding him? How was he going to get out?

After dwelling on his dark thoughts for some time, Bunny fell into a fitful sleep. He woke frequently, feeling eyes on him and hearing the faint echo of whinnies and huffs. He lashed out whenever the sound was too close, hitting something hard and sandy every once in a while. Eventually, he was left alone and was able to get a little rest, but it didn't last nearly as long as he would have wished.

A clattering sound, loud and distinct, startled him awake. There were several more noises, muffled and hard to decipher. That wasn't the usual. Normally things were deathly still around here unless Pitch or a night mare was in the room. And, even then, neither made much noise. Pitch was silent except when he spoke and the night mares made a distinctive skittering, rustling noise. He did hear that sound now and the quiet tones of Pitch's voice, but there was something else. A groan? No, another voice?

He pushed himself up a bit, not quite all the way upright but closer, his shoulders protesting stiffly. Silence fell again and he strained his ears to try and pick up any more sounds. Whatever he had heard had come from far away, echoing down some corridor or doorway into the room he was in and it had been different. He hadn't heard anything like it in the time he had been here. Curiosity tickled in his mind but he pushed it aside. Even if he could see, he wouldn't be able to learn what it was that had happened. Not from here. Not from Pitch.

Bunny slumped back to the ground, closing his once again useless eyes, as he waited for Pitch or a night mare to appear. If Pitch was back, that meant he was finished with his twelve hours and was ready to ask him more questions. He knew he should try to be up and ready for him, make it look like his imprisonment hadn't taken its toll, but he just couldn't be bothered to move until the man decided to make his appearance.

A minute passed and Bunny was just beginning to drift off again when something cold touched his shoulder. The pooka gave a start, jolting back from the unexpected touch. His eyes automatically flew open, searching for whatever it was that touched him, but his other senses also reached out as they adapted to his blindness. He couldn't hear the usual sounds of a night mare and the foul smell of their breath was absent as well. The touch came from a hand, but there was no way that Pitch would be the one doing it. Also…he could smell pine. He could smell snow. His heart gave an uncomfortable thump.

"Bunny?" came Jack's voice, soft and raspy.

"Jack," he gasped, his voice sounding almost exactly like the winter spirit's. He coughed and swallowed. "What're you doing here?"

"Pitch," Jack's voice darkened. "We were looking for you—well, the others were, and he came after me. I, uh, I wasn't able to get away."

Hearing Jack's voice, knowing that he was right there in front of him, made a hailstorm of emotions roil up in Bunny. He was elated to know that Jack was okay enough to be talking to him this calmly but incensed that Pitch had gone after him physically. Hadn't the deal been that he would leave Jack alone if Bunny got his answers right? And there had been nothing in the deal about taking Jack while it was Pitch's turn. What was Pitch doing?!

"Bunny?" Jack's voice was hesitant, almost worried.

"Yeah, mate."

"Is something wrong with your eyes? You're not looking at me…and they…they're…they don't look right."

Bunny sighed. "Pitch has done something to them. I…can't see."

"What?" Jack breathed. "He…can do that?"

"Apparently." He could explain it in much more detail but he wasn't sure if he wanted Jack to know exactly how it worked. He knew Jack would feel horrible and he didn't need to add to the misery he was already going through. He heard Jack shift closer, his breath hitching slightly. His ears twitched at the sound.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah, I just tried to give Pitch a good run for his money." He didn't need to see to tell there was a grin on Jack's face.

"Good on ya, mate."

"Thanks. But what about you? You don't look good." Jack's cool fingers brushed a spot on the top of his head, causing Bunny to flinch slightly.

"'M fine," he replied. "Like ya said, gave Pitch a good run for his money." Bunny heaved himself up, trying to get upright. Jack's hands immediately latched onto one of his arms and helped him up. This brought a confusing thought to his mind.

"You're free," he said, keeping voice hushed. He doubted they could actually hide what they were saying from Pitch, but he still wanted to try. Jack seemed to be feeling the same way. "Why aren't you chained up like me?"

"I dunno," Jack replied truthfully. "He dragged me here and dumped me outside the room. Said you were in here and I should join you. He has my staff," his voice wavered slightly as he said that, "so I couldn't really do anything else."

"Simply put, Bunny," another voice, low and smooth and far too familiar for comfort, spoke up, "I haven't done it yet. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to witness this little happy reunion."

Jack moved closer to Bunny, not exactly touching him but he was close enough that Bunny could feel the chill radiating from his skin. That simple movement spoke volumes. When they had faced Pitch during the Easter Jack became a guardian, he had boldly stepped forward, stood in front with determination clear on his face. Now he was sidling up to Bunny, not saying a word. The fire from earlier rekindled and he glowered in the direction Pitch's voice had come from.

"Why did you take Jack?" he demanded.

"Why not?" Pitch countered.

"We had a deal," Bunny snarled back. "I answer your questions and you leave him alone."

"If you get them right."

Bunny rankled at the correction but didn't argue. "And where in that was you taking him?"

"Nowhere," Pitch replied calmly. "And that is true in both meanings of the word." The man's voice shifted to their left and he felt Jack move minutely in reply. "I did not say I would, but I also didn't say I wouldn't."

Bunny growled under his breath. Beside him Jack whispered, "What deal?"

"I felt you needed further persuasion," Pitch continued. "You seemed to be doing an awful job at answering my questions. I simply thought you could use a…more present reminder of exactly why you should."

"I don't need a reminder! I knew exactly what ya were doing!"

"I guess I was wrong," Pitch sighed. "But since he's already here…" There was a hissing sound, the rush of sand, and Jack's chill was suddenly gone. The boy yelped but the sound was cut off by a thump and a groan.

"Jack!" Bunny cried out, his head jerking in the direction of the sounds. He then swiveled around to face where Pitch had been last. "Let him go!"

"No," Pitch said smugly. "Are you ready to continue our game?"

"No I'm not!" Bunny snapped back. "What have you done to Jack?"

"It's okay, Bunny…" Jack's voice was faint but there. "He just decided we needed a matching pair of…bracelets." The joke was feeble but made Bunny feel slightly better. If Jack could still crack a joke then he was at least somewhat okay.

"Hang in there, Frostbite," Bunny assured him.

"Touching as this is, I'm done with the pleasantries, Aster," Pitch drawled. "Are you ready to continue or shall I just assume your first answer is incorrect?"

Bunny rearranged himself to be a little more comfortable. "Fine, I'm ready."

"Number nine—"

"—Wait!" Jack called out. "What…what game are you talking about? What deal?"

There was a beat of silence and then Pitch spoke up, "Oh yes, we should inform Jack of our game, shouldn't we, Bunny? Care to do the honors, or will I?"

Bunny frowned. He did not want Jack to know about the deal, not because he regretted it, but it was…embarrassing. He didn't want Jack to know how much he had failed him in these last few days, how badly he was at guessing his fears. On the other hand, he didn't really have the right to deny Jack that knowledge.

"I guess it will be me," Pitch said when he didn't reply right away. When he spoke next he had moved over so that he was much closer to where Jack's voice had carried. "Bunny and I were having an interesting discussion about your nightmares and your fears, Jack."

Bunny jerked forward, images of Pitch standing painfully close to the boy flashing through his mind. The clang of his chains rang across the room.

"We struck a deal that if Bunny could guess your fears correctly, I would leave you alone for—what was it?" His voice grew louder, suggesting he was now facing Bunny again. "For six hours. One right answer, six hours of nightmare-free rest. I'm sure you are aware of the results of the first eight questions I have asked him."

Bunny had no idea what face Jack was making but he found his own turning towards the ground. He wanted to apologize to the kid, but that would have to wait for later. He didn't want Pitch to gain any satisfaction from his failure.

"So now we begin round four. I will name a fear and he will tell me if it is one of your past fears, present fears, or if it was never a fear of yours," Pitch finished explaining. "Any questions?"

"Yeah," Jack rasped. "What did you do to me? What kind of nightmares are these? They're not normal, right?"

"All in good time, Jack Frost," Pitch replied smoothly. "But first, we need to decide how the next six hours will go." There was a rushing sound and Pitch spoke again, his voice much closer to Bunny now.

"Are you ready?"

"Just waiting on you," Bunny snarked back, sounding braver than he felt. He knew he had no way out of this, but he also feared what would happen if he guessed the next question wrong. Jack was right there. What would Pitch do?

"Number nine: fear of fire," Pitch announced. Bunny lowered his head in concentration, but before he could ponder the question Jack spoke up, bringing his attention back upwards.

"Fire? I—" his voice was abruptly muffled.

"Now now," Pitch said, his tone seemingly calm but Bunny could hear the warning in it. "No spoiling the answer. Bunny has to guess." He paused and then prompted, "Bunny…?"

"Give me a moment," Bunny replied gruffly. "Lemme think."

Fear of fire. It would make sense for Jack to be afraid of something that was the opposite of his powers—fire and ice, heat and cold—but Bunny now knew better than to assume. Jack was apparently afraid of bodies of water and that made zero sense to Bunny considering his element and the lake in Burgess he seemed to love so much, but he did. He couldn't just apply his logic; he had to think about Jack's.

What had he seen with Jack and fire? He always skirted around the fireplaces at North's—but was that because he was scared or just normal precaution? Bunny had always assumed he kept a distance because of his sensitivity to heat; it was the reason Jack claimed when he sat in the seat furthest away from the hearth. He couldn't remember Jack showing any of his usual signs of anxiety or lying when he did that, just general dislike, so maybe it wasn't a present fear…

"We're both waiting," Pitch interrupted his thoughts. "Are you giving up?"

Bunny scowled in the direction of his voice. "'Course not! Just thinking it through!"

"Then it would seem Jack's presence has made a difference."

Bunny growled at the smug tone but forced his attention back to the question. If it wasn't present then it was past or never, but which one? He was leaning towards never; if Jack wasn't afraid of fire now then he didn't think he could have been before. But… what if this was like some of the other questions? He would guess and then Pitch would laugh, mocking him for not knowing some detail of Jack's past. Dropping hints of some story he knew that Bunny did not. What if Jack used to fear it but had gotten over it? What if the distance he kept from the fires was from an old fear?

"I'm losing patience…"

Bunny grimaced but made his guess. "Past."

Pitch let out a quiet chuckle.

"Wrong."