Falling Through Time 14

Bunny, North and Pitch appeared within the enchanted forest just outside the village. Immediately the Enchantress and forest animals descended on them, sensing Pitch's darkness and ready to battle as they had been battling Fearlings moments before the village fell underground. The Enchantress lifted her sword, ready to strike the Nightmare King down while his back was to her.

"Stop," North yelled, yanking Pitch out of the way and bringing his swords up to block the blow. "Enchantress, stand down. It's me, North."

The woman stared at him blankly, not recognizing him in the least but then her magic inched out and gently stroked his, feeling out the familiar magic. Her eyes widened and she gestured for the Bear and other woodland creatures to back down. "Nicholas St. North?" the mystical being asked in her musical voice. Her gaze turned to Pitch and then Bunny and back to North. "What has happened? Why is he with you? Why are you…you…" She waved her hand, not wanting to say old or fat but the evidence was before her.

North gave a chuckled. "Time travel," was all he said. "The boy Jack, have you seen him?"

She shook her head. "No. The…" Her eyes narrowed as she glared at Pitch, still confused as to why he would be with the two Guardians. "Nightmare King has attacked the village. It disappeared into the ground! I don't know what to do. The fairy queen and Sandman have yet to respond to my signal. I don't know what to do."

North glanced to Bunny and Pitch. They already had a mission and they couldn't get sidetracked but there were people in danger. He looked to the Enchantress. "Take the Bear and gather the reindeer. Use your magic to form a ramp to what's left of the village and get everyone into the shelter of the forest. We'll try to help as soon as we can."

She looked at Bunny sniffing the ground. "And what do I tell your eh…younger selves?"

"Nothing," Bunny snapped, his nose twitching. "I've got his scent. Let's go."

The Russian gave the Enchantress a lopsided smile and shrug. "Good to see you Enchantress," he said before running after Bunny and Pitch. As much as he would love to chat with the beautiful woman – he hadn't seen her in centuries – he had work to do and his adopted son needed him. There was no way in hell he would allow Pitch, past or present, to convert Jack into a Fearling.

"Bunny," he yelled to the Pooka. Bunny paused and glanced back. "Don't wait for us, just go and get Jack. We'll catch up," North instructed.

Bunny hesitated for a heartbeat and then gave a curt nod and began running so fast he disappeared in a fraction of a second.

Pitch glanced at North, his mouth opening as if to say something before firmly closing. He had the same fear in his eyes as Bunny, maybe more so since he already knew the outcome if Bunny didn't reach Jack in time.

"Go," North said firmly. "You know where they are."

"I believe so," Pitch confirmed even though his memory was still foggy. He paused as he turned to follow in the direction Bunny had gone. "Don't take too long. You wouldn't want to miss a chance to kick my butt." He gave a grin and small wink before fading into the shadows.

"Some days I wonder about that man," North muttered under his breath but he dismissed it as something to ponder when they were back in their own time. He wasn't nearly as fast as Bunny or Pitch but he began running in the general direction the other two went, hoping he didn't accidently come across his younger self in the process.

. . .

Bunnymund snarled in rage as Jack was ripped from his arms. He didn't wait, didn't stop to think logically, he attacked. His claws ripped at the Fearlings, tearing into them as he fought to get to his Jack. But it didn't matter how many Fearlings he took down they continued to swarm him until Jack was out of sight and there was nothing left but blackness. "NO!" he howled.

He felt rather than saw Nicholas next to him. The Cossack had no weapons but that didn't stop him from punching and kicking with all his might. Together, bit by bit, they made their way through the endless number of dark creatures but Bunnymund was terrified it would be too late by the time they reached Jack.

. . .

Annoyance filled Jack more than anger or fear. After spending decades around the future Pitch and his Nightmares as well as the odd Fearling – for whatever reason they weren't so prominent in the future – Jack wasn't afraid or even surprised to be suddenly grabbed by the shadows or dragged in front of Pitch due to either some smartass remark, just for the shit of it – yes, Pitch may be his grandfather but he loved scaring the shit out of Jack or playing head games when he could – or when he's gotten so out of hand with the Guardians his elders didn't know what else to do but hand him over to his grandfather for some firm reprimanding that the others had trouble falling through with. So rather than being frightened when he was deposited in front of the Nightmare King he gave his most bored face and stood up to him just as he would his Pitch.

"Are you kidding me?" he snapped, acting as arrogant as possible. "You know if you want to talk you can always just as me to visit. It's the polite thing to do or have the Fearlings made you forget politeness because serious, dude, if I pulled this stunt you'd be yelling at me for months on end." He quickly hid a smirk at the utter confusion at the shade's face and the way his head tilted as if not understanding simple English.

"You are a very strange child," the Nightmare King said, his sickly amber eyes glowing softly.

"Yeah, my grandfather tells me that all the time. What do you want, other than to turn me into a Fearling Prince because thanks but no thanks."

"Very odd," the dark king muttered as he walked around Jack and inspected him. "Why do you not fear me?"

Jack squared his shoulders and kept his mind blank just as he had been taught to by Sandy if he wanted to keep his fear and thoughts hidden. "Because there's nothing to fear, not even fear it self." He turned to meet the King's gaze. "Why do you insist on following me?"

A thin smile curved Pitch's lips upward. "You intrigue me. A child trap in time with unfathomable winter powers that he can't seem to access. Is that not intriguing?"

That made Jack shrug. He didn't really think it was so special, not anymore at least. It was simply who he was and the fact that he couldn't access his powers for the last few weeks wasn't his fault. One, he didn't have his staff; second, someone broke the thing to shards. It wasn't his fault. "Not really."

"Hmm…yet now it's back," the shade observed as his long fingers reached out to touch Jack's snowy white hair.

Jack turned again and pulled out of his reach. "Personal space."

"Hmm…such power. Not nearly as powerful as Nightlight or that Pooka but still quite powerful. A perfect Darkling child," the older man observed.

"Yeah…not happening." Jack inhaled sharply when the Nightmare King suddenly grabbed his face and held him still.

"And just how do you plan to stop me?"

Fear hit Jack as he tried to access his power. For a brief moment it seemed as if it wouldn't come to him again but them, in a rush that knocked the King of Nightmares off his feet, it all came to him. Jack shifted forms. Ice raced up his body, hard as diamonds, until every inch of him was covered. A cold winter wind filled the valley and reached out to the remains of the village and forest beyond. With it came snow, blowing and whirling and forcing the Fearlings back to reveal the Moon above. The light of the Moon highlighted Jack's ice, making him brighter and forcing the Fearlings further back.

"Don't make me fight you, Pitch," he said, his voice echoing in this form. He moved toward the shade slowly. "Trust me, this isn't what you want. You might not understand now but it's something you'll regret in the future."

The shadow man snarled as he stepped back into the shadows. "Subdue him," he ordered his minions.

Jack closed his eyes in disappointment. Fine, if he had to fight then he'll fight. He let his magic lash out and pushed it into the ground until the very Earth itself answered him, thanks in part to the way his magic had mingled with Bunny's when they first mated and then reinforced when he mated with his love's younger self. Jagged pillars of ice erupted from the ground all around him, forming a shield of sorts that the Fearlings had to maneuver through to get to him. Then he formed a new crook staff, one of ice and magic to use as a conduit. He had never done so before but in desperate situations came desperate solutions.

He froze every Fearling that came near him, slashed every Dream Pirate and Shadow Man that dared to come near him until they learned to stay back. He was almost gig with the fact that his powers were back and at their fullest when a green and grey blur to the right caught his attention.

"Aster?" he whispered with a small smile. It was quickly wiped off his face when a black arrow struck him. It bounced off ice form and returned to the shadows but the impact had shocked him enough to lose focus and return to his natural form. He just managed to duck as another arrow whizzed by. Pitch was firing at him…at him? He had to remind himself over and over again this wasn't his Pitch. That no matter how mad he might make his Pitch that his grandfather would never truly hurt him. This man wasn't his grandfather…not yet. And that was his downfall. The next arrow took him in the side and it threw him to the ground.

"Jack!" Bunnymund yelled as the Nightmare King casually strolled up to the fallen ice spirit.

"You will make an excellent Winter Prince, all you're missing is a touch of darkness," the shade purred as he touched the back of Jack's head.

The boy grunted, his hand pressing firmly against his side. The arrow had already turned to shadow and was entering his blood stream. He could feel it rushing through him. It burned hotter than any flame. "No…" he whispered past the pain, forcing himself to his knees. There were tears in his eyes. Tears of disappointment, hurt and sorrow shimmered against his lashes but he wasn't ready to give up just yet. He knew without a doubt he would never see his loved ones again, never sleep in Bunny's arms or feel his warmth, never laugh with North, hid his teeth from Tooth and her questing fingers to ensure they were still pearly white without any cavities, or tell Sandy his deepest darkest fears while his Pitch helped him try to conquer. He knew this and accepted it but it would bring them such pain when they learned what happened to him and that would always be his greatest regret. But there was one thing he could do to lessen the blow.

The Nightmare King seemed please when the child didn't fight him or pull away, as if finally accepting his place by his side. "Yes, that's a good boy. Give in to the fear."

Jack leaned close and the shade leaned down to hear whatever his last words might be. "Kozmotis," Jack whispered, as if telling a secret. His hands gripped the shade's arms when the Nightmare King tried to jerk away. "I know you're in there. I know you can hear me. I believe in you." He doubled up in pain as the last words passed his lips.

The Nightmare King stared down at him in surprise but before he could respond another shadow descended on the shade and he was thrown away from Jack. Everything became a blur of commotion and Jack was sure he was losing his mind to the darkness growing within him as he witnessed two Pitches rolling around on the ground. Then Bunnymund was leaning over him and his shirt was torn off.

"Jack…Jack," the Pooka repeated over and over again. Jack could feel his fear, could taste it like a fine wine and he screamed against it, fought not to feed on that fear.

"Bunny…" he breathed as his own fear came to the forefront. "Aster, go. You shouldn't see this. Go."

Bunnymund shook his head as he combed his fingers through Jack's hair. "No…no, Jack. I'm not going to lose you. I won't let him take you from me like he has everything else. I can't…"

Jack smiled softly. "You're stronger than you think. I'll see you around, Bun…Bun…" His eyes closed as the last of his fight left him.

"NO!" Bunnymund screamed in agony. He pressed his hand against Jack's side, willing all his magic into the youth to suck out the poison consuming his love. He wasn't about to lose Jack as he had his first mate, his child and his entire race. He couldn't lose Jack. Not now, not after finally opening his heart once more. When his magic failed him he pressed his face against the boy's cold chest and sobbed.

. . .

From several dozen yards away Bunny stared in horror as his younger self mourned over Jack and Pitch fought to subdue his younger version. His breath became labored. They were too late. They got there too late. His heart clenched and knees felt weak. No…