Hey All! Nice Lonnnggg chapter ahead... hope it was worth the week's wait! I really liked writing this one, so hope its alright.

Thank you to everyone who has read this story up until now, and I hope you continue to read it!

Please leave reviews and/or comments in the review box when you are done if you can! Thanks sooo much!

As always, replies to GUEST REVIEWS are at the end.

Love you all!

-iceprincess

Disclaimer: Jack Frost, North, and Pitch Black belong to DreamWorks

Jack

The clock ticked from the fireplace mantel. I was alone in North's office, and everything was quiet. Except for the ticking clock.

I hadn't left since North had shown me Manny's "prophecy" last night, because I honestly didn't know what to do.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

I paced up and down the room, thinking.

I promised Lyra I'd see her again.

But if she's the child of the prophecy, then she'll be the cause of Pitch's return.

Pitch can't come back.

But if she's the child of the prophecy, that means Pitch will be looking for her.

Which means she's in danger.

I have to see her again- to protect her.

But maybe the best way to protect her is to stay away from her- if Pitch doesn't know she believes, then he will have no reason to target her.

If I stay away, she might forget about me- and then everyone would be safe.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Would she notice if I never came back? Would she care?

I paused in my pacing. I'd only really known Lyra for about a day, but I'd already begun to feel the special connection I felt with kids who I spend a lot of time with, like Jaime, with her. I didn't want to just abandon her. Not to mention the fact that she was closer to my own age than any other believer I'd ever had. Well, my age from when I was mortal anyway... I couldn't just let go of her! I mean, the kids are great and all that, but most of them were so young, and sometimes I just wished I had a friend more like me. I had thought that Lyra and I would have become close... now I wasn't too sure.

I'd miss her if I left.

I started to pace again.

Would she miss me? Would she wonder what had happened?

Stop it Jack. She barely knows you. Stop feeling guilty. You know leaving her and letting her forget is your best option. That way she and everyone else stay safe.

The plan was flawless. If Manny's words held any truth, then Pitch was scanning the world looking for belief strong enough to reinforce his powers. By letting Lyra's belief die away, she would stay out of harm's way, and Pitch would never know about her.

There are millions of kids in the world, after all. How would he know which one he needed?

I stopped dead in my tracks.

Unless, of course, he already knew.

I slammed my staff to the ground in frustration, causing a circle of frost to spread beneath my feat and coat the floor, but I barely took any notice.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

I became aware of the ticking clock once more, and out of frustration for the current situation and annoyance with the noise, I raised my staff harshly and shot a bolt of ice at the tiny machine, causing it to explode over the empty fireplace.

The office door slammed open.

"Jack, what is going on in here?" North exclaimed, looking from me to the shattered clock on the floor.

I sighed in exasperation and sank to the floor, resting my forehead on my upright staff.

"North, I don't know what to do."

"Well I wish you would tell me what problem is," the big man said, crossing his arms in the doorway.

I hadn't told him about Lyra. I couldn't. Not until I figured out what I was going to do.

Which seemed to be a major problem at the moment.

"North, are you guys absolutely sure there has been no sign of Pitch? No sightings, no extra scary nightmares, no... nothing?"

He seemed to relax a little bit. "Jack if this what you are worried about, then you can be rest assured that nothing is out of the ordinary-"

"Yet." I muttered. North didn't hear.

So if Pitch hasn't made any moves yet, does that mean he doesn't know about Lyra's belief? I pondered, staring at the broken clock pieces. I reviewed both of my options in my head- Stay close to Lyra to protect her, or protect her by never seeing her again. I just wish I knew what Pitch was up to- if anything.

Suddenly I had an idea- a third option. I didn't particularly like it any more than the other two, but it seemed right. I stood up, suddenly knowing exactly what I needed to do.

"Thanks North, call me if anything... you know... happens," I said, walking to the large window and opening it. North nodded and left to go back to his work. I climbed onto the windowsill and looked out into the snowy landscape that surrounded the Workshop, and suddenly doubted my plan. It would be risky- perhaps it would be safer to not to go at all.

I shook my head. Everything will be fine, I thought, and jumped into the wind's waiting arms.

Time to visit Lyra.

...

I went to her house first, but nobody was home. I finally found her walking around the in snowy park, dressed in jeans and boots and a hooded sweatshirt, not unlike my own. Her dark hair was braided down the back of her head, but a few pieces were loose and were blowing around her face with the sudden increase of wind. She turned around then and smiled when she saw me, making me feel even more guilty about what I was going to do.

"Jack!" she called, waving, as she walked over to greet me. I landed easily and turned to her, giving my biggest smile and trying to act like nothing was wrong.

"Lyra," I said, as casually as I could. "What're you doing here?"

"Looking for you," she responded, her smile fading somewhat. "You seemed pretty nervous last night- I wanted to find you and make sure everything was ok. So I came to the park, hoping I might find you playing with the kids. Or with Jaime- Michael tells me you two are close."

I was touched by her concern for me. I hated it at the same time. Here she was, being a true friend, the kind that I'd wanted for so long, and I was going to have to give her up. I'd made my mind up at the North Pole- I'd keep my promise and spend the day with her, but after today I would have to leave and never see her again. The longer she spent with me, the more she'd be in danger. And I just couldn't let anything bad happen. I didn't know what to say. I looked over at a group of kids building a snowman on the other side of the park, and saw Jaime and Michael in the mix.

"Well, you found me," I said with a smile.

She laughed, but grew serious again. "Are you alright though? Did something happen?"

"Everything's fine Lyra, don't worry about it," I told her, hoping I sounded more reassuring than I actually felt. She seemed to buy it though, as her shoulders relaxed and she smiled up at me.

"So!" she said, "What are we gonna do today?"

"Wait and find out," I replied, wrapping my arm around her.

And with that, we shot up into the sky.

...

"Where are we going Jack?" Lyra shouted over the wind.

"Don't worry! We're almost there!" I shouted back.

Soon we landed in the outskirts of the forest. It was the same one we had been in the night before, only a different part. Now we stood in a clearing on the forest's edge. I set Lyra down gently, and she didn't fall this time. She turned to see where we were, and gasped in surprise.

"Its... Its beautiful!"

Before us, in the shelter of the trees, was a large lake. Completely frozen over, it was the center of the frost-covered trees and bushes laced with hanging icicles and powdered snow. It really was a beautiful sight.

"What is this place?" Lyra asked me.

I gazed out at the lake, my eyes locked on a particular spot that I couldn't help but look at each time I came here.

"This... this is where I died, Lyra." Her eyes grew wide. "Before I became Jack Frost, I was a person- like you. I died... saving my sister from drowning in the frozen water. I saved her life, but lost my own."

We were both silent for a while. I'd never told anyone this, not even the other Guardians. I just seemed to trust Lyra, even if she'd never see me again after today.

"When I became Jack Frost, I had no memory of my former life, and I spent three-hundred years alone and confused, because no one could see me, no one believed in me, and I had no idea what I was meant to do. I finally got Jaime to believe in me last Easter, and I got my memories back, too. My life makes more sense now, and I love what I do, but... I still wonder what would have happened if... if things had worked out... differently."

"I'm sorry." She said at last.

"Don't be," I said with a small smile. "Good things have happened here, too, you know. This is where I was reborn into who I am now, and also where I officially became a Guardian of Childhood."

She smiled. "A Guardian of Childhood? You mean like the Sandman guy who never showed up last night?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, he 'overslept'," I joked, and she laughed.

"And Santa, and the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny?"

I nodded. "All Guardians. We watch over the children and protect them."

She frowned. "What do you mean, 'protect'? What do you protect them from?"

Oops. "Eh, nothing really. It's just, you know, just the way they phrase it in the Guardian Oath," I said, waving off her question. "Or something like that, anyway." She looked like she might protest but I grabbed her hand and ran towards the ice.

"Come on! Let's have some fun already!" I said, and with a wave of my staff, I had ice blades on my feet, and Lyra's skates in my hand. She accepted them excitedly and eagerly laced them up.

We spent the rest of the afternoon skating, racing, playing hockey, and showing off for each other. At some point, Lyra threw a snowball at me when I wasn't paying attention, and we broke out into an entire snowball war. We never ran out of things to do, and I couldn't remember another time I'd had so much fun. Which is saying a lot, seeing as I'm the Guardian of Fun. I'm glad though, because although Lyra didn't know it yet, this was my goodbye.

Unfortunately, I was having so much fun, that I completely forgot about the amount of time I had allotted for us to spend here. I normally didn't care how long I spent with someone, but sadly, Lyra wasn't just anyone. I had specifically planned to make sure she was home with me long gone before nightfall, because who knew what would be lurking in the shadows?

I didn't realize my mistake before it was too late.

"Wow, it sure got dark quickly," Lyra observed offhandedly, putting the finishing touches on an ice sculpture she had carved using some of my un-meltable ice. My head shot up, and I silently cursed myself for letting her stay out with me for so long. It wasn't safe to be here anymore.

"Yeah, you're right," I said, getting up quickly and scrambling to get my staff. "We should probably go."

Lyra glanced up from her work. "Relax, Jack, there's no need to rush. Michael's staying with Jaime again tonight, so I don't need to be home anyway."

"Right." I said, glancing around and trying not to freak out too much. "But I still think we need to head back."

She gave me a strange look, but, thankfully, she nodded her head and began to gather her things.

Slowly. So slowly. Didn't she realize we had to hurry? No, of course she didn't.

"Um, Lyra? Nothing personal or anything, but we kinda have to hurry- it's getting really dark and... and we need to get out of here-"

"Oh, you're not going anywhere." A cold voice spoke, so quietly I wasn't even sure I had heard it at all. But I knew that voice well, and felt my stomach clench in dread. The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees, and the wind completely died out. The entire forest went eerily still and silent, and it definitely hadn't been this dark a few moments ago.

"Jack? What's going on? What... what just happened?"

No. No, no, no. He can't... not- not now. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen-

I took a deep breath.

"Lyra."

"Yes?"

"Listen to me. Do exactly as I say. I'll explain everything later, but I need you to trust me right now. Can you do that?"

I glanced at her confused face, but felt a small sense of relief when she nodded her head.

"Ok, put your hood up, keep your head down-"

"What? Why-"

"Just do it! Get behind me, stay out of the shadows, whatever you do, and don't speak. No matter who talks to you, even me, do not answer."

He was here- the Nightmare King. I could feel it. It occurred to me just then that if we were lucky, she might not be able to see him. If I was right, that is, and he was actually here. Better not take any chances, I thought bitterly.

Lyra did as she was told, putting her hood up and retreating to stand directly behind me. I wondered if she was afraid. I really hoped not. It would only be an advantage to him if she was, especially with her significance in the prophecy... I hoped she was more confused about what was going on, rather than afraid. For her sake, I relaxed my features so as not to alarm her any more than I already might have, and resisted the urge to raise my staff in defense. Instead, I casually glanced around while focusing all my energy into my staff. It was all I could do to prepare us for an attack without panicking Lyra too much.

All around us the shadows were growing darker and thicker, and suddenly an evil laugh echoed through the clearing.

"I thought you said everything was fine!" Lyra whispered alarmingly in my ear.

"I lied," I said through gritted teeth. If she heard him, she'll be able to see him. Great. "Now don't speak. Don't talk to him, or even look at him. Ignore him, act like he's not even there..." I eyed each shadow carefully- he could spring out from any one of them at any given moment.

"What's that thing you said about protecting children?" she asked in a hushed voice. "Am I about to find out what you protect them from?" I didn't answer.

"Just keep quiet and do what I say."

"Oh, well isn't this just too sweet?" A voice spoke coldly from the dark trees. A figure appeared out of the shadows, tall and grey, wearing long black robes that seemed to be made of the darkness itself.

Pitch Black.

A smirk played upon his ashen face as he studied us. I stared angrily at him, pointing my staff threateningly, daring him to come closer.

"It's quite touching, really. I mean look at you, thinking you can protect her. But what are protecting her from, exactly? From me? From fate?"

"Jack, what is he talking about?" Lyra whispered from behind me.

"You stay away from her!" I spat at him angrily. With a forward thrust of my staff, I shot an arc of blue ice at him. He quickly dodged out of the way, my ice just barely missing him.

Odd, I thought, why doesn't he use any of his powers to defend himself? Unless...

"Come, come, Jack," he spoke, placing his hand on his chest with fake offense, "I didn't come here to fight."

"Then why are you here?" I shot back, taking aim with my staff.

"Really, there's no need for that," he said nodding lazily at my staff, sounding bored. I pointed it even harder.

"What do you want?" I asked again, knowing full well what he wanted.

"I only came... to talk."

"What?" I said, caught slightly by surprise. "What exactly do you want to talk about?"

"That's none of your concern," he stated coldly.

"But you just said-"

"Yes, Jack, I'm quite aware of what I said. But you see, its lovely Lyra with whom I wish to speak."

"Me?" Lyra asked in surprise. "Jack, what's going on?"

"Oh well this is something. Don't tell me, Jack, that you haven't told her. And don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about- I know your little friend on the moon has given you and the other Guardians a warning... of sorts... of my intentions and the very important role the girl has to play in them."

"Leave her alone," I said, anger bubbling up inside of me.

"She doesn't know?" Pitch asked, smiling wickedly.

"Ok stop! Both of you!" Lyra said angrily, ripping her hood off and marching in between Pitch and I. "Somebody tell me what's going on!" She turned to me. "Jack, what is he talking about? What don't I know? What does he mean, 'important role I have to play'?"

I looked at her helplessly, not wanting, not knowing, how to answer her.

"My darling girl," Pitch said silkily, "You're going to help me bring back the Dark Ages."

"NO!" I yelled, shooting a burst of blue energy at Pitch. He melted into the shadows, but I knew he hadn't actually left. I spun around on the spot, pointing my staff at every direction and shadow. "Run Lyra!" I called to her, "Get out of here!"

Thankfully she didn't need telling twice. She turned on the spot and began to sprint away from the lake. A lone Nightmare- a horse made entirely from midnight-black nightmare Dreamsand- burst into the clearing. It ran straight towards me, and I began to shoot at it with ice. The fight didn't last very long- I'd fought many like this one before- but as soon as it fell to the ground, defeated, I heard a piercing scream that made my blood run cold.

Lyra.

I jumped up into the air and flew in the direction she had run, my heart thumping loudly in my ears. I dropped out of the sky and landed in front of Pitch who was bent over something on the ground. No, not something- someone. Lyra. Her eyes were shut as she lay in the snow, and Pitch was resting his palm over her forehead.

"Don't touch her!" I yelled. Pitch stood up, smirking at me as he slowly backed away. Lyra still lay on the ground, unmoving.

"You're too late Jack."

"You're wrong!" I felt like my heart was beating in my throat. I looked fearfully at her collapsed form in the snow, and glared angrily at the man before me.

"I did warn you, you know. I told you long ago that you can't kill fear, and here I am," he said, spreading his arms wide. "And soon I'll be stronger than you could have ever imagined." He took another step behind him, and he disappeared entirely. I shot a blast of ice where he had been standing, but it hit nothing, instead continuing through the air until it made contact with a tree.

"Goodbye, for now, Jack. I expect you'll see me again very soon," his voice whispered through the rippling breeze. A burst of cold wind rushed through the trees, and all became silent again. I knew he had gone.

For now, at least.

"Lyra!" I yelled, running through the snow, tripping on roots and branches until I fell by her side. She was very pale, and her eyes were still shut tight. Fearing the worst, I quickly felt for a pulse, and was relieved when I felt a heartbeat and verified that she was still breathing.

"...just unconscious... ok, ok that's alright...could have been worse..." I said, not sure who I was talking to. Trying to calm myself down, I placed my staff in her arms and picked her up bridal style before jumping into the cold night air. It was then I noticed that her entire body was trembling, but not from the cold. What had Pitch done to her?

The North Pole... have to get her to the Pole... find North and Sandy... they'll know what to do...

I hope.

What did Pitch do? Anybody know?

See ya all next week!

Btw, was working on the next few chapters for this story, as well as starting another fan fiction that I may or may not follow through with, AND writing a paper for my AP U.S. History class, and let's just say my brain has officially gone kaput! Yayyyyy...

But anywaysss

GUEST REVIEWS:

caitielynnlynn:Hahaha your review made me laugh! I loveee the snow! I wanted to share the Jack Frost winter magic with this story- I'm amazed that I've actually been able to help you learn to love snow! Thanks for reviewing, hope you liked this chapter!-iceprincess

Wildfictionfan16: Thanks for the review, and I can't tell you how touched I am that you think this could be a continuation of the movie. That means sooooooo much you have no idea. I know how you feel, I am the same way when I read stories. I'm glad you find my story a "good read" and I am definitely continuing it. I have no intention of abandoning this story. Ever! I hope you continue to read it, and I hope you like what I have in store! Thanks so much- iceprincess

Jodi Blu: I am SOOO glad that you didn't forget about this story! And even MORE GLAD that you love it soo much! You say you have trouble finding words to express how much you like my story, well I have trouble finding words to express my gratitude for your support of it and my appreciation for how much you love it. And I hate to tell you that the guilty game isn't over yet... And thanks, I'm glad you thought the ending was good- everything you said about it was exactly what I was aiming for, so you have no idea how happy I am that I got the right feeling across. That part was actually a little hard for me to get "just right" (nothing is ever perfect) so I'm glad that it did actually work out the way I wanted it to! And don't worry, I'd never abandon this story for the world. Love ya, keep being an awesome reader! 3- iceprincess

Thanks to everyone who reviewed!