Thanks so much for all of your reviews! If you have any questions or concerns, just PM me.
Things were finally looking up for Jack, and he was very grateful for it. It had been a couple weeks since Bunny's confession and although it had been awkward at first, they were pushing through it. There had been and ungodly amount of teasing from the other guardians, but that's what family's for, right? To be honest, Jack himself felt like a love sick teenager and he knew Bunny was no better. They couldn't take their eyes -or their hands- off each other. The two still hadn't made it past giving each other loves bites because Jack's health was still less than perfect and Pitch still invaded his mind whenever Bunny grabbed the hem of his hoodie. Jack found it ironic that they were together considering they were the spirits of opposite seasons. They could make it work.
Jack had settled into a routine, something he was glad for since his life had become so hectic. He would get up fairly early, for him anyway, and go help the yeti make toys. At first Phil wouldn't let him, mostly because they thought Jack would just make more work for them, but also because they didn't want him to overexert himself. Phil did care about the youngest, despite all the trouble he caused. Jack just had that affect on people. After helping the yeti, Jack stop for a small lunch. Most of the time it was a thin soup or some kind of fruit. Then he would take a short nap and try to map out the rest of the pole. Bunny would come and visit Jack some time during the time then leave a couple of hours later. Jamie had even visited a few times with help from North.
His previous pain had dulled to a slight burning sensation that never ended, similar to an intense fever, but without the deliriousness. It was much more manageable. Jack was content with just that, even if never went away. Tooth and Sandy left in order to perform their guardian duties, Jack could tell that they were beginning to miss taking care of the children. He would sometimes bump into North, share light conversation, then be on his way. North was giving him some room, which Jack felt was very relaxing.
None of them spoke about Jack being blind. Not because they wanted to avoid upsetting Jack, but because they knew that was how Jack would be from then on and everyone accepted it. Even though they were powerful, they couldn't bring the dead back to life or in this case, Jack's eyesight. Besides, Jack was handling the loss of his sight rather well. He found himself getting stronger with each day that included his senses. Particularly, his hearing. Now, he wasn't some kind of 'hear a pin drop a mile away' guy, but he could hear where people were standing and a general idea of what the things he hears are. For example, he knew the difference between a door opening and a drawer, or the different footsteps of everyone.
Jack could also tell that the nightmare sand inside of him was beginning to make an appearance. It was only small things, like nightmare sand forming in his hand and he founds, but sometimes he found himself slipping into the shadows. It seemed as though he melded with them. Jack was brought out of his thoughts by a knock on his door.
"Jack?" To his delight, Bunny popped his head through the doorway. Jack could smell the chocolate and flowers coming from his fellow guardian. Jack smiled and Bunny sat down on the end of his bed.
"How ya doing, Frostbite?"
"My body's achy, but other than that, I'm fine."
"Have you eaten yet?"
Jack nodded, "Yeah, I ate some tomato soup earlier." It was Bunny's turn to smile. It had seemed to him that their lives were taking every wrong turn for a while, but things were finally looking up.
"Bunny?... I'm worried."
"About?"
"These nightmares... my new powers... they're growing quickly, and I don't know how to stop or control them. I'm worried that if we don't figure something out soon then things are going to end badly, for everyone." Bunny remained silent. Jack began to worry. Bunny must agree with him, but then what should they do? If he couldn't control these powers, then it was entirely possible for one of the other guardians of himself would get hurt. Perhaps it would be best if he left the guardians and went somewhere far away, like Antarctica. He heard it was cold this time of year... well... all year really. Jack felt Bunny shift and before he knew it, he felt a pair of lips on top of his own.
"Don't worry, Frostbite. We'll figure something out. Bunny looked into Jack's eyes, even though he knew Jack couldn't see back. We'll be fine. I'll talk to the other guardians about it. Just don't... don't do anything rash, okay? The last thing we -the last thing I- want it for you to get hurt. Bunny wrapped his arms around the small boy. Jack couldn't help but relax into his beloved's arms. He nodded into Bunny's shoulder, silently promising that he wouldn't go to Antarctica.
"I've got to go back to the Warren since Easter's coming up soon. I'll talk to North and we'll think of something. See you later, Snowflake." Bunny ruffled Jack's hair and left the room. Jack was alone again.
"Jack?" Tooth questioned. The door to his room opened, revealing Tooth, Bunny, Sandy, and North. They entered the room, shifting towards Jack, who was sitting in an armchair next to the window.
Jack smiled, "What's up?"
Tooth grimaced, "can we talk?" Jack nodded. They found seats around their friend.
"I -we- know how... dark things have been lately, especially for you. You've been held and cooped up, we think for far too long. We've been doing a lot of talking, and most of it's been without you. That's not right, you're a guardian, just like us, and should be included like one. We're sorry." Tooth explained. Jack wasn't sure what to say. To be honest, he was glad to leave the talking to the others. After going through and loosing so much, he didn't want to go back and talk about it.
"Listen guys, it's okay. We've all been through a lot. We should just try to move one, right?" Everyone nodded.
"Jack, my boy, " North began, "Bunny tells us that you're worried about the nightmare sand. Unfortunately none of us have any knowledge about the sand other than Sandy, but even then, it's very limited. Also, we need to see how the marking are progressing." Jack nodded. He slipped off the loose sweater he was currently wearing while his hoodie was being cleans and patched up. The guardians were silent as they took in his appearance.
The swirls of black frost that pattered the skin of his arms had moved, now stopping at his forearms,. The others explained this to Jack because he couldn't not see them for himself. They also told him that his eyes had taken a darker shade of blue. Jack put the sweater back on.
Jack broke the silence, "So... there's no one who can help me with... this?"
"Well, the only one who really knows anything about it is Pitch... and there is absolutely no way he would be willing to teach you anything." North answered.
"...maybe he would... I mean, think about it." Jack hopped out of the chair. "The whole reason Pitch attacked me -other than revenge- was to turn me into a nightmare prince. How is he supposed to do that if I can't control my new powers? We-"
"Jack, no!" Bunny interrupted him before he could go any further. "After everything that's happened, there is no way we are giving you back to Pitch, especially since your ice powers aren't working either."
"Bunny, I know you're worried. All of you are. If I ever want to be able to get better and move past this, then I need to be able to control the Nightmare sand." Everyone was silent once more.
"How do you suppose we get Pitch to willing teach you and keep you out of harms way?" Tooth asked. Jack smiled while the others were dumbfounded. Toothianna, the mother hen of the guardians, wanted to let their youngest member go with their greatest enemy.
"It's simple, really. I'll go to Pitch's lair and pretend that when I told you guys that I had nightmare sand inside of me, that you all shut me out. I'll tell him that he was right all along and that I want to join his side. He'll be so proud of himself the he wouldn't even question it. Now, as far as keeping me out of harm's way, I have an idea. Pitch's nightmare aren't really as faithful as they seem. In fact, one has taken a particular liking to me. I'm positive they'd protect me if anything got serious. Also she'd most likely relay messages between us so that we can communicate without arousing suspicion."
Everyone was skeptical to say the least. They continued to discuss the kinks that were left in their plan. Eventually, they decided to put their plan into action.
Bunny handed his newly mended hoodie to Jack and watched as he slipped it on. "Are you sure that you want to do this? We can always think of something else, find another way."
Jack shook his head, "I want -no, need- to do this."
The first step of their plan was to get Pitch to take Jack in. They dropped Jack off at France's borders so they wouldn't alert the boogie man. The guardians bid each other farewell and Jack began his trek to the catacombs. Since he hadn't fixed his staff yet, he couldn't fly to his destination. Jack found himself taking frequent breaks, not that he minded, he didn't have a schedule to keep.
Despite not being able to see, Jack felt he was doing a good job navigating himself. Although, he did have a lot of help. Sandy had given him a dream the night before where he ran throughout the streets of France with children and the now the winter spirit felt that he knew the country like the back of his hand.
There were many different entrances to the catacombs, but Jack wanted to use the one that he was most familiar with, which just so happened to be in the heart of Paris. He caught rides on the roofs of cars to shorten his trip. He managed to reach his goal by late evening. Considering he began in the morning. Jack slipped into the entrance and descended into Pitch's lair.
It was cool yet slightly humid, something that Jack had gotten used to during his... 'stay'. It was musty and smelt a little like mold, but that was nothing new. He wasn't surprised when he was sudden'y swarmed by nightmares. They kept their distance, but were close enough to attack if he were to try anything. The bunch parted slightly and the nightmare that had helped him earlier walked forward. She sniffed cautiously, but once she realized who he was, she nuzzled him. Jack smiled and laughed lightly as he returned the affection.
"Hey girl. I need to talk to Pitch, could you lead me to him?"
Pitch Black's life had been hectic for the past few weeks. Ever since that blasted Rabbit had taken Jack he was at a loss for what to do. Jack wasn't ready to become a nightmare prince and these guardians wouldn't let the boy out of their sights anything after the things that he'd done. He didn't blame them. He paced back and forth across his bedroom floor. His thoughts were interrupted by the approach of a nightmare.
To say he was surprised would be an understatement.
"What brings you here, Jack?" Pitch noticed that the boy was nervous, standing behind the mare and fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie. Pitch was pleased to see the darker color of Jack's beautiful eyes, which meant that his sand was doing it's job.
"Y...re...r...t." Jack mumbled.
Pitch disappeared and reappeared behind the guardian. "What was that?" Jack humped and turned to face him.
"...I said you were right! I told the guardians that I had nightmare sand inside of me and... and..." Tears glistened in Jack's eyes as his voiced hitched, "they threw me out. They called me a traitor and said that they were disgusted by me." Pitch arched an eyebrow.
Was he telling the truth? Surely, the guardians wouldn't really reject him... but he DID have nightmare sand coursing through him and it wasn't like he would come back unless he had a very good reason. Pitch leered at the boy.
"Oh Jack, my dear, that's what I'be been trying to tell you all along. They never really cared about you or they wouldn't have ignored you for 300 years, nor would they turn you away in your hour of need. I on the other hand, do care about you. Think about all we could achieve, how we could crush the guardians once I have you by my side. There's nothing we couldn't do. Join me, Jack, and we'll give the guardians what they deserve." Pitch held out his hand. Jack hesitantly took it.
Now for step two.
I am so sorry for taking so long, but I have a HUGE favor to ask every single one of you. In my AP English Language class, we're doing genius hour projects. In other words, we're using our interests and talents to make a difference and help our communities. I decided to team up with the Thirst Project to help thousands around the world. I've recently created a page to accept donations. We're trying to reach 2,000$.
Any of you could donate money or if you can't at the moment, then you can share the page on any and all social media you have and with your families and friends, or you can do both! Not only is this a huge help with my project, but it also goes to a great cause. I'd like to thank all of you for doing anything you can to spread the word so once you've donated or posted about it, just PM me. We can skype, facetime, use google hangouts, swap emails, numbers, etc. I could write you a personalized oneshot, read one of your stories, help you with a story, something to thank all of you who spread the word and donate. I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Link to page:
mydotthirstprojectdotorg/fundraise?fcid=542568
