Jack groaned as his consciousness slowly returned. A throbbing in his head made it hard to think but he could slightly make out the noises of the wind. His hands started to move to rub the ache, until their movements got restricted. Ice-blue eyes snapped open into the darkness around him. Dark sand snaked around his hands. Jack glared at the sand, focusing his ice on it. But it just made the room around him colder.
"What's the matter Jack? Missing a certain prince?"
Jack glared at the thin, dark man appearing in the corner of the room. He purposely shoved the feeling of déjà vu to the corner of his brain before replaying. "Oh, nothing's the matter. I just love having my hands encased with stuff I can't freeze. You must give me the recipe for it."
The man laughed teleporting right behind the boy, just for fun. "Oh it's quite easy…for me at least. Spread a harmless little rumor about a king, let it boil for a few months, sprinkle in unbreakable cure, allow it to simmer for a few years and presto" he smirked at the glaring boy. "instant cuffs, impenetrable from winter attacks."
Heat from Jack's anger flowed in his veins, counteracting the cold that he was emitting. The man ignored it. "Ah forgive me. I don't think I properly introduced myself. Pitch Black" He made a sweeping bow. "at your service."
"Pleasure."
Pitch stood up, smirking at the prince. "Now then. I'm afraid that I can't stay long, a world to rule and all that, but I assure you that"
"Where's Hiccup?"
His smirk turned predatorily. "Hiccup? Haven't the slightest idea of who you're speaking of."
Jack growled, yanking the chains to get closer to the man. "Where is he?"
"Ah, the young boy you met in the woods, of course. Silly me for forget such an important detail. I'm afraid to admit that he's not here."
Jack rolled his eyes. "If you've hurt him I swear"
"My dear prince you insult me." Pitch placed a hand over his heart with mocking shock. "I would never hurt the child. He's much more useful to me unharmed anyhow."
"WHAT DID YOU DO?"
A green portal swirled in front of the prince. "See for yourself, Hiccup unharmed, unmoving, and unaware of the world."
Relief washed over Jack as he saw Hiccup. His gaze noted the crown on top of the boy's head but refused to sink in as he scanned for any hint of injury. True to his word, Pitch hadn't harmed him. The portal disappeared as a golden staff swiped through it.
"I wouldn't expect him to help you though, winter prince."
Jack scoffed at the idea. "As if you have any command over him. As soon as he figures out where I am, I have no doubt that..." A single word, one which Jack ignored at first, came rushing into his mind. Unaware.
Pitch grinned as the boy figured it out. "Poor Jack. Didn't you know? Back when you're precious Hiccup was born I left a little present for him. Sixteen years of peace and growth, only to fall into an endless sleep." He used his staff to lift the prince's head. A disembodied voice echoed through the chamber.
A happy life you'll live with happiness and joy
But when you reach sixteen
Then the fun begins,
For the sun will not set, nor another hour pass
Until you prick your finger on a spinning wheel
And death becomes your friend.
"Granted an annoying little pixie altered my original spell but the effect remains the same." Pitch backed up, eyes lighting up with glee. "Instead of death, which I originally intended, you precious love now sleeps for all eternity. And nothing can wake him."
Hysterical laughter echoed as black sand covered Pitch, taking him far away from Jack and into the world. His reign had just begun.
Jack's head dropped to his head, tears squeezing out of tightly closed eyes. He bit the inside of his lips. What can he do?
Frustrated, he slammed his body away from his chains, attempting to yank it out of the wall. Jack growled before focusing his attention on creating ice. Blueish-white light broke through the cuffs, creating a spotted pattern on the cave wall. The room's temperature dropped quickly. Jack's breathing grew heavier.
His body slumped forward, energy spent. Leaning his forehead against the wall, Jack dared a glance to his hands. He gave a soulless laugh. "Still stuck."
His eyes glanced over toward the unguarded entrance. "Confident enough in the cuffs not to place guards. How much power does he have?"
Jack slowly stood up. This time he looked over to where the chains were connected with the wall. His lips tightened into a thin line. "Okay. Okay. Let's try this."
Eyes closing again, Jack froze the area once again. But this time, the frost escaped through his legs. They crawled up the wall to gather around the black anchor. Jack gritted his teeth, forcing the ice into the small cracks of the wall. He braced himself once again. He inhaled sharply and yanked hard.
Jack stumbled forward as the chains suddenly slackened. They weren't broken, but thankfully that piece of the wall was. Jack slowly moved toward the entrance and peeked around the corners. Nothing but darkness in either direction. "And still no guards. Is this guy insane or what?"
Awkwardly he maneuvered the rubble off the ground before stepping into the hall. His eyes darted left, then right. "Okay. If I was an insane psychopath, which direction would I leave the exit?"
He debated in silence for a few minutes before a crash echoed in from the right. Jack leapt to the left and ran. Following the path, he silently exhaled in relief that no more turns appeared. The path opened up to a large chamber with a weird well in the center. Jack observed the swirling black water for a minute. A slight shiver escaped him before he turn to observe the three openings on the far wall. This time, an audible groan escaped him. I hate mazes.
Just as he started to do Enny Meeny Minny Moe to pick, a purple blast lit up the dark. Jack smiled as a familiar black blur zoomed out of the center tunnel. "Toothless."
The dragonling cried happily, flying over to rub his head on Jack's cheek. The boy chuckled. "It's good to see you too."
Toothless saw the black cuffs as he pulled away. Two quick fire blasts broke them long enough for Jack to slip his hands out. He rubbed them together. "Thanks bud."
Seeking comfort, Jack touched his necklace through his shirt. A soft thing of warmth tickled his fingers. Jack bit his lip. "Okay Toothless. We have to get out of here."
He moved to leave when a laugh echoed throughout the room. "What's the matter Jack? I thought you enjoyed a good prank."
"Yeah, it's great. Especially when my life's in the line."
Three black horses formed in front of him, one from each entrance. A snort from behind him announced the fourth. Toothless screeched out a warning as the four horses closed in on them. "And you have a little helper. Isn't this marvelous."
Toothless jumped into the air as Jack lowered his body into a fighting stance. "You take the two on the left and I'll take the two on the right?"
The winter prince exploded into motion, diving forward as ice crackled on his hands. One snaked out on the right and landing on a leg. The horse neighed as one of its hind feet stopped working. Jack jumped out of his roll, pivoting on one foot with a snarl on his lips.
Toothless raced to the ceiling. Using the darkness to his advantage, the dragonling waited for one of the horses to glide up to him. He kept his mouth closed as he built up his fire. The horse came inches from his hiding spot when he struck. It barely had any time to cry out as the horse exploded into black sand. Another cry echoed as Jack launched an icicle at another.
The remaining two horses began circling the two, forcing Jack and Toothless toward the middle. Both growled at the black wall. Jack dropped to the ground. Ice crackled away from him as it covered the ground. Toothless fired his strongest fire blast at it. Steam hissed as the entire cave became foggy. It disappeared slightly to reveal an empty room.
Jack and Toothless flew down a corridor; Jack praying that it's the right one as Toothless randomly shot out light. Small cuts appeared on Jack's arm as he noticed a few corners a bit too late. His cold winds ruffled his hair as he slammed into another wall. Toothless purred slightly in concern. "I'm okay. I'm okay."
Something gritty echoed behind them. Putting on a burst of speed, Jack followed Toothless, who had begun to fly closer toward the celling. Jack built up some of his power and shot it over his shoulder. A surprised cry sounded behind him.
Toothless suddenly shot straight up into the rocks above. Jack gulped before preforming his own 90 degree turn up. A narrow opening appeared in front of him. Nervously, Jack blocked the path with an ice shield as he escaped. He really hoped that Toothless knows where they're going. The darkness enveloped them, almost to the point of crushing.
Jack felt himself beginning to feel claustrophobic when a narrow patch of light appeared. The pair exploded at of the entrance. Quickly turning around, Jack used both hands to fire another ice shield. Absolutely no way is he going to let those things out. Once finished, he collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
Toothless cooed softly as he landed on the boy's lap. He rubbed his head against the blue vest. Jack stroked the dragonling's head. "I'll be fine. Just a bit tired."
"And what are you doing with this thing?" A finger nudged the bag around Toothless's neck. It glowed softly as the message activated.
It's been a long time Jack. The winter prince gasped slightly at the golden figure formed in front of him. You have grown up well but I cannot stay long. Already, Pitch has begun his attack and you must fight to protect Hiccup. You have fought him before, back when you were young. Use your connection with Hiccup, draw on his gift and your own, and fight. Also, don't forget to call your horse; he's quite worried.
Jack laughed softly as the sand drifted away. "Nice one Sandy. You have to teach me how to do that."
He cradled Toothless in his arm and stood up. Putting his fingers to his mouth, Jack gave an ear-splitting whistle.
