A Light Within Darkness 14
"Wait," Jamie nearly yelled as they rounded another corner and ran into an alley. He looked about in fright, not recognizing where they were. "Why are we running? Who's after us? And why is Jack so upset? He's usually fun and brave and so cool. I don't understand why he's so scared of you." He grabbed North's arm, making him stop.
The old Russian breathed heavily as he came to a stop, his body feeling its age after so many centuries. His bones ached and a head ache was starting to pulse behind his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jamie, please, there is no time to explain. We must get you to safety. Perhaps I can open a portal here and…"
"Does this have anything to do with Jack's dad?" the boy asked, making everyone stop and stare at him.
"What do you know about Jack's father?" North asked, surprised that the small boy knew anything about Pitch Black. Hell it surprised them that he knew Jack.
Jamie stared up at North and hugged Bunny a little tighter making the Pooka squirm. "I know that Jack loves him with all his heart and will do anything to make him happy and his dad's the same. This was their first time celebrating Easter. His dad went all out for him but jack said it was too much for him alone so brought me and my sister a basket of eggs each. He's really a good guy, both of them."
Bunny gave a snort. "Jack maybe but Pitch Black is the Nightmare King, there's nothing good left in him."
The child stared down at him. "But Jack…he wouldn't be good if he wasn't raised to be."
Bunny exchanged a look with North and Tooth. "I don't know," Bunny admitted. He looked away from the others, his mind shifting to ancient times, to before Pitch Black came into being when there was another equally powerful man who stood for all that was good and fought against the Fearlings and Shadow Men, against Dream Pirates and evil. A man who had given his life to save his daughter only to be possessed and his body turned into a host for the Fearlings. Could something have changed since their last battle centuries ago? Could Jack have done something to change Pitch and bring back the man he once was?
North seemed to echo his thoughts. "Is it possible?"
"No," Tooth said in disbelief. She whirled on the two men. "Have you forgotten what Pitch has done, how many lives he destroyed? He killed Sandy! Stole my fairies and the memories of the children! Yes, he may have raised jack but it's not out of fatherly love. He's using the boy as a weapon to destroy us!" She puffed out a frustrated breath and let her shoulders slump and hugged herself. "I miss Sandy," she whispered softly, more to herself then the others.
"We all do, Toothy, but for now we must protect Jamie and get to Jack before Pitch figures out he's also a Light. Moon only knows what he will do to the boy," North said, his voice gentle and comforting as he squeezed her shoulder.
She gave a nod and hugged herself a little tighter. "I should have given him more of a chance. I should have listened to him when he tried to explain what happened to my fairy all those years ago. He looked so small and afraid but I was so angry at seeing my fairy frozen. Sandy always said I let my temper get the best of me at times."
"Ah, Sheila, we've all made mistakes when he comes to Jack. You shouldn't beat yourself over it. We'll find him and show him where he really belongs," Bunny said encouragingly.
"He is where he belongs," Pitch said darkly as he rode into the alley, his Nightmares flaking him and boxing Jamie and the Guardians into the alley. "My Winter Prince will always be at my side."
North pushed Jamie behind him. The small boy held Bunny even tighter as he hid behind North and Tooth. He quivered in fear, unknowingly empowering the Nightmare King even more.
Darkness swirled around them, blocking out all light and inching closer and closer to them like long fingers elongating the shadows and wild beast snapping at their heels. North placed a protective arm in front of Tooth and tried to lift his swords but in his present condition he barely had the strength to do even that. Instead he slumped against them and fought to keep himself up. "Pitch, you don't know what you're doing. You don't understand what Jack is."
Pitch gave a laugh. "Oh, North, has age finally caught up with you? You look positively dreadful."
"Now see here, you bloody dingo," Bunny snapped as he jumped out of Jamie's arms. He hopped in front of North and looked as if he would fight Pitch single handedly despite his size. "You think Jack is going to continue standing next to you if you harm one hair on this boy's head? The little larrikin may see you as a father but you hurt Jamie and he'll turn on you faster than you can imagine."
"What would you know, rabbit? Shall I list your offenses to my child? They number of times you chased him away, refused to allow him so much as one of your precious eggs let alone participate in an Easter egg hunt? Were you there to comfort him when he cried, confused and not understanding what he did to offend you so much? Did you care? Do you even bothering talking to him? Even once?" Pitch chuckled, delighted by the crushed look on Bunny's usually proud face. "No, Bunny, you didn't care. None of you did. I was the one to take him in. I was the one to care for him and give him love. I was the one to mend his heart each time you broke it. And where were you, any of you? Oh yes, creating little trinkets to buy for children's affections. How's that going anyway, Bunny." He chuckled again, his shadow hand stretching out toward the small Pooka. "You're so cute. Who you like a scratch behind the ears. Perhaps when this is over I'll cut out your voice box and present you to Jack as a gift. He's always wanted a pet."
"Don't you dare!" Bunny snapped but as the shadow grew closer his bravery vanished and his rushed into North's arms.
North turned and handed him back to Jamie. "Bunny, I think it best you stay with Jamie," the Cossack whispered as the boy took the animal in his arms. He turned back to Pitch and put on a brave face. "Pitch, this is foolishness. You don't understand what your actions will do. By destroying us you'll plunge this world into another Great War. It will be destroyed by darkness and fear. You not only endanger the children but the entire planet. You'll endanger Jack."
The shade's eyes narrowed as he glared down at the weakened Guardians. "No, I will ensure our survival. Now, Jamie, you have something of mind that is very important."
. . .
Jack wiggled in the nightmare sand. He still had a firm grip on his staff and was both surprised and relieved that Pitch had left it with him. It was like his security blanket and he couldn't go long without it. But it was also his channel; his way of controlling his magic, and right now it was about to get him out of a tight jam. The Nightmares guarding him whinnied and their hoofs clapped the roof in agitation as the temperature dropped and frost began to form of the sand surrounding him. Soon it froze and with a cry Jack threw every inch of magic he learned until the frost glowed brightly and the frozen sand exploded outward. Staggering a few steps he took a moment to catching his breath before looking around. The two nightmares had also been frozen and shattered. Oh boy, Pitch wasn't going to be happy about that.
He shook his head, pushing that thought aside. He had to get to Jamie and stop Pitch before he turned his friend into a Fearling. Calling upon the wind he dove into the air and sped toward the alley he had seen the Guardians dart into. His breath hitched when he saw Pitch standing over North who was laying on the ground on his side. Pitch held his scythe above the man's head as Jamie coward in a corner, clinging to Bunny and Tooth lay unconscious next to him. Something in Jack snapped; a protective nature unlike any before. He pushed his speed and hit the ground far harder than he ever had before, landing between Pitch and North just as the scythe arched downward. His staff came up, absorbing the blow as his magic flared once again.
Pitch jumped back and stared at the youth in shock. "Jack?" he asked unable to believe his child had just interfered.
Jack panted, his chest tight as he stared up at the man he thought of as his father. "Stop! There's no need for this. They're defeated. You've won. Please, father, you're scaring Jamie."
"Move, out of my way, boy," Pitch growled. His eyes narrowed as he tried to think of a way around Jack without hurting him. "You'll appreciate what I've done when this is over."
Shaking his head Jack felt as if he was on the verge of tears. He could see the anger in Pitch's eyes but he could also feel the fear coming off Jamie and unlike Pitch he couldn't thrill in such a thing. "Don't make me fight you," he pleaded. "Please." He froze when he heard Jamie suddenly scream and his focus turned from Pitch to his young friend.
Two Nightmares were approaching Jamie and Bunny, their hoofing pounding on the concrete and breaths puffing in the air as they snorted. The small boy pressed himself against the wall with Bunny still against his chest. They were both wide eyed and even as Bunny tried to comfort him and promise everything would be alright.
"No!" Jack yelled, forgetting Pitch and North and rushing to the boy. He threw his arms around Jamie and Bunny just as the sand horses reared and made their attack. The next thing Jack knew was intense pain and the sounds of something cracking as Jamie screamed and Bunny cursed. Then his vision bled to white.