Hey guys sorry for the late update, internet has been acting up. Anyway, I want to thank you for my reviews! I love hearing from you and seeing how you are liking the story. Now just bear with the chapter…it might get a bit…confusing. But I promise it will all make sense ;) Enjoy.


(At the concert)

The once pulsing crowd had calmed, spirits now catching their breath as the band on stage began to set up for the next song. In the midst of the throngs of people Jack and Sam were also recovering the two teens having been moving nonstop for the last two songs.

"Man this is so awesome!" Jack panted slightly, the teen out of breath from singing along with the band.

Sam nodded, "I don't think I've ever had this much fun."

Jack smirked, "Oh, so me taking you to those ancient temples weren't fun?"

"No!" Sam's eyes widened, "That was the furthest thing from fun!" the poor teen shook slightly, "Every one of them were full of traps and spirits that tried to kill us!"

Blue eyes rolled, "That didn't happen every time."

"Oh what are they doing now?" Sam forgot the conversation as his eyes caught movement on the stage

Jack glanced at the stage where Sao was leaning over a large case, "Oh cool!" the winter spirit grew excited when Sao stood up, a gleaming cherry wood violin in his hands. "I heard that Sao also played violin but I've never seen him."

Sam watched as the band retook their places, he felt his heart begin to race as Star took center stage again. He blushed slightly when her eyes found him again, Sam squeaked slightly and ducked behind Jack.

"Oh Sam…" Jack exhaled at his friend's actions, the winter spirit was about to talk to the shy teen about it when the band on stage suddenly came alive.

Both teens were surprised by the tone now drifting from the stage.

The music was no longer pulsing, instead it was like calm cascading water. Within seconds the melody was joined with the soft hum of Star and Ganymede the feminine tone adding to the emotion that was now being poured into the air.

Jack felt Sam lean out from behind him, the shy teen stealing a glance at the stage

"I…I like the music." Sam whispered slightly, almost as if he was afraid his voice would interrupt the song about to be performed.

"I've never heard this one before." Jack smiled when Sam stepped away from him, the teen now entranced by the girl gathering herself to sing. He raised an eyebrow at the look of sympathy now etched on the girl's face, "Wonder if she knows just how much Sam has suffered in the past?" the winter spirit was sure that Camzotz had spoken with her as she began to sing.

"Lost in the darkness

Hoping for a sign

Instead there's only silence

Can't you hear my screams?"

The girls voice was low and haunting, her words piercing into the heart of all that were present.

"Never stop hoping

Need to know where you are

But one thing's for sure

You're always in my heart"

Sam didn't miss the quick flickering glance she cast at him, the teen felt his heart begin to race as she continued.

"I'll find you somewhere

I'll keep on trying

Until my dying day

I just need to know

Whatever has happened

The truth will free my soul"

The music began to increase in tempo, the drums pounding out their beat the instruments sounding like that of a grieving heart.

Sao's bow moved like a flowing wind over the strings of the violin, the spirit coaxing a soulful melody into being.

Jack felt his throat constrict, the teen feeling the passion now permeating every word and melody.

"Almost hope you're in heaven

So no one can hurt your soul

Living in agony

Cause I just do not know

Where you are"

Sam blushed again when Star once more found his eyes the girl's own twinkling with…what he could only discern as care.

"I'll find you somewhere

I'll keep on trying

Until my dying day

I just need to know

Whatever has happened

The truth will free my soul"

On stage Starmist eyes were closed as she drank in the music around her, slowly she lifted the mic her voice a conundrum of intense softness

"Wherever you are

I won't stop searching

Whatever it takes me to know"

Jack startled when a ripple of energy suddenly pulsed in the air, he glanced at Sam to see if the boy had also sensed it. However, Sam was so focused on the stage Jack was sure the boy hadn't noticed anything else around him. He started to ask when Star began to sing again.

"I'll find you somewhere

I'll keep on trying

Until my dying day

I just need to know

Whatever has happened

The truth will free my soul"

Jack watched as Star stepped back suddenly, Sao instantly walking forward

The tall spirit took Star's place, his pale skin gleaming in the bright lights of the stage as he lifted his violin.

A sound not unlike the keening of a pinning heart filled the air

All in the crowd began to sway along, their hearts pounding along with the drums that suddenly joined the flowing violin.

"Wow…that…was amazing." Sam's voice quivered slightly when the music ended, the band stepping back to gather for another.

Jack smirked, "Not as amazing as Starmist though right?" he grinned at the crimson now on his friend's face

"Wonder what's taking Darkness so long?" Sam quickly changed the subject before Jack continued his teasing

Jack glanced at the concession stand, he squinted trying to see the shade among the spirits at the counter, "Well there is a line Sam."

Sam shook his head, "Jack I doubt it would take him this long, Darkness would most likely shove his way to the front if he had too. He wouldn't leave us alone for this long." The shy teen's eyes widened, "You don't think Darkness got into a fight and got hurt do you!"

"Thank you for the concern but I'm fine."

Both teens turned, watching as Darkness stepped around spirits as he walked to them

"Hey where's Eeep?" Sam frowned when he noticed the little bats absence

"And our snacks?" Jack quipped, the teen a bit put off by the fact the shade held no food.

Darkness coughed slightly, "Well…ummm…I wasn't sure what…Sam wanted so I had…Eeep hold my place in line and came to get him."

Sam shivered slightly, "You…you want me…to go with you?"

"It's not that far." Darkness snorted

Jack frowned at the shade's callous tone, "Don't worry Sam we'll all go."

Darkness shrugged, "We'll lose our spot."

"Jack…I'll be fine." Sam forced a smile, "I don't want us to lose our place."

"You sure Sam?" the winter spirit glanced at the spirits around them, "I don't mind coming…"

Sam glanced at Darkness, "I'll be fine…Darkness will be with me."

A smile came to the shade's face, "That's right Jack, I'll make sure not one spirit lays a finger on Sam."

"Ok." Jack glanced at the stage where Star was once more coming to the front, "Just hurry back so you don't miss too much."

"Be back in a second."

Jack watched as Sam hurried after Darkness who had already started into the thick crowd, "Why do I feel like I need to go with them..." a snort left the teen, "Gods! I'm getting so like Pitch it's scary!"

With a huff Jack turned his attention back to the stage, the teen determined to enjoy the concert and not let imaginary worry plague his mind.


(At Iris's Palace)

The Palace had gone quiet, only the occasional thud of the sentinel's steps sounded as the guards made their rounds. It seemed that the entire Palace had settled down for the night. However, in one room Patrick had done anything but settle, the spirit now in full business mode.

"Yeah…a Lacuna…" Patrick growled slightly as he held the corded phone to his ear, "No! A damn Proscription stone will not work!"

The poor phone felt the frustrated Leprechaun's wrath as he slammed the receiver, causing the desk he was sitting at to rock from the impact.

"Trouble sweetie?"

Patrick glanced up at Iris who had walked in, "Everyone I have numbers for don't have any Lacuna stones all they have are Proscription stones."

Iris sighed, "Well those won't work. Pitch is simply wanting to mask Sam's energy, not take it away."

"I know that." Patrick rubbed the bridge of his nose, "However the normal use for suppression collars calls for Proscription stones…" the spirit exhaled, "So of course no one bothers with gathering Lacuna stones." The spirit growled slightly, "I have called everyone…from Prospection to Greed and none of them were of any help."

"Are you sure you have asked everyone Patrick?"

Patrick glanced at her as Iris took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk "Well…I do have a contact in Dallas that might know where I could find one but I would have to go see him since he doesn't have a number…" Patrick turned piercing eyes on the large shelf that was on the far wall, "however Pitch's damn sand won't let me leave the freaking Palace!"

Iris glanced at the shelf, surprised to see about five cats staring with hollow eyes at her, "Oh it chose a feline shape?" the woman instantly knew it was the shade's sand when she noticed the rippling black grains that made up the creature's bodies, "Why did it chose that shape?"

"To torment me." Patrick snorted as he grabbed a leather bound book from his desk drawer, "It knows I hate cats…especially black ones."

Iris chuckled when all of the creatures simply tucked their legs underneath in typical cat fashion, the sand felines settling down to watch their 'prisoner' work. It had always fascinated her how the sand Pitch commanded seemed to have a mind of its own. Iris had often watched the creations the Nightmare King would make with the obsidian grains, trying to discern if the sand was of one consciousness or if it had multiple…

"Iris do you have any books in the library on Lacuna stones?"

Iris was pulled from her thoughts by Patrick's question

"I can't find anything in the ones I have in here." Patrick kept talking, not noticing that Iris had not been paying attention to him.

"I am sure that I have something in there Patrick." Iris grinned, "I can go look…"

Patrick held up a hand, "No I'll go." He glowered at the cats, "Is that ok?"

The creatures all glanced at each other, then as one leapt from the top shelf, the felines suddenly collapsing into piles of sand. The piles began to slither into each other until it was one big pile, then it twined itself into a long tendril of sand and slithered towards the Leprechaun.

"Seriously? I'm just going down the hall." Patrick rolled his eyes when the end of the tendril wrapped around his ankle, "Ha ha very funny." The spirit was less than amused when the rest of the sand morphed into a ball and chain. Mismatched eyes turned pleading to Iris who was watching with a slight amused look on her face "Iris some help please? I know Pitch has told the sand to listen to you."

"You are right; Pitch has told the sand to listen to me. However, I know for a fact the sand will not disobey a direct order from him." Iris chuckled as she watched her husband get up and began dragging the sand towards the door, "And Pitch ordered it to keep you here."

Patrick grumbled as he slowly made his way into the hall, "Stupid sand…stupid Pitch…when I get the chance I'm going…"

Iris only laughed as Patrick's murmured threat was lost as he entered the hall, "Sweetie if you are anything like your father…" she placed a hand on her ever growing stomach, "Then I don't know what I'll do." She smiled as she felt a small kick in response to her voice.


(In Burgess)

Unaware of just how hindered he had made Patrick's search for the Lacuna, Pitch was currently in Burgess still trying to find out about the marks now on his and Jamie's palms.

"Has father responded yet?"

Rashana shook her head, "Pritchard it takes the message a bit to reach him…."

Jamie's eyes gleamed with excitement, "Just how did you send dad a message?" the boy was beside himself with the idea that he could send messages to his father who only got to come home once a month.

"I simply asked a moon beam to take it to him."

"A moon beam…really?" Jamie groaned slightly, "How in the world can you talk to a moon beam?"

Rashana chuckled at the disappointed look that came to her youngest son's face, "It's not as hard as it sounds. It just takes practice."

The boy's face once more filled with excitement, "I'm going to start practicing now!"

Pitch watched as Jamie hopped off his chair and raced into the front yard, "Is it safe for him to be out after dark?"

Rashana chuckled, "Tonight more than ever, Chand is able to fully view the earth this night. Not to mention Abyss is still at ChandraKumar so I am sure he is also keeping an eye out."

"Oh yes, that makes me feel much better." Pitch snorted, the Nightmare King still not had not forgotten how Abyss had kidnapped Jack and used the winter spirit to test Pitch's 'loyalty' to his family.

"Come now Pritchard you can't stay angry at your uncle forever." Rashana placed a hand on his, "Abyss was only trying to help."

"Help?" Pitch raised an eyebrow, "How was kidnapping Jack and trying to kill me helping anything?"

Rashana only smiled, "Abyss just doesn't know how to communicate."

Pitch started to retort when a flash of light suddenly erupted in the kitchen, "What the hell!" the shade hissed in pain at the intensity.

"Oh sorry Pritchard, I should have warned Chand that you were here." Rashana glanced at her son in concern, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Pitch blinked slightly, the spirit trying to get the dots from his eyes. Once he had Pitch glanced where the light had flashed, on the floor a single paper lay. "What did he say?" he asked as Rashana walked over and picked it up.

Rashana didn't respond, her eyes scanning the writing on the paper, a sad look crossed her face "I am afraid that Chand will not be able to respond for a bit Pritchard..."

Pitch sat up at the sadness he could hear in her voice, "What has happened?"

"Abyss is the one who wrote, he said that Chand has slipped into slumber."

"Then wake his ass up!" Pitch growled slightly

Rashana chuckled half heartily, "Wish it was that simple Pritchard…but your father only sleeps if there is something wrong…"

Pitch's anger instantly left, "Is father sick?"

"Not sure…" Rashana frowned, "It could simply be that Chand expended too much of his energy trying to keep Abroga…"

Pitch frowned when she stopped speaking, "Mother?"

"It is nothing Pritchard…" Rashana smiled suddenly, "How about I make us super?"

"Sure." Pitch exhaled as he watched his mother begin to move around the kitchen, he had not missed the name she had been about to speak…nor the tinge of fear that name had started within her soul. However, he wasn't going to pry…instead when everyone was asleep he'd be heading to Chandkumar to try and get answers.


(At the Concert)

Across the world in the rocking stadium Jack was oblivious to what was going on at his home. The teen had been listening to the band play, and was trying to enjoy himself however Jack couldn't shake the sinking feeling that was settling within his stomach with every passing moment Sam and Darkness had not returned.

"I wonder if I should go find them?" Jack warred within himself as the band rested from their previous song. Blue eyes glanced at the concession stand where a large crowd of spirits were gathered, "They've been gone for a while now…"

The teen was about to leave when he noticed Star bounce back to the mic

A harmonizing melody echoed as both Star and Ganymede began to sing

"I'll go after this." Jack turned again to the stage, the teen now listening to the song being played

"I've been left out alone like a damn criminal

I've been praying for help cause I can't take it all

I'm not done,

It's not over."

Jack could almost feel the intensity now rising on the air as Cymbal joined the music, her sticks coaxing a rhythm not unlike a beating heart from the drums.

"Now I'm fighting this war since the day of the fall

And I'm desperately holding on to it all

But I'm lost

I'm so damn lost

Oh I wish it was over,

And I wish you were here

Still I'm hoping that somehow."

Instantly the rhythm changed, the music now pulsing through the crowd spirits now jumping in response to the increase of tone.

"Cause your soul is on fire

A shot in the dark,

What did they aim for when they missed your heart?

I breathe underwater

It's all in my hands

What can I do?

Don't let it fall apart

A shot in the dark"

Jack was watching Sao who was tearing up the guitar when a hand grabbing his shoulder caused him to jump. "Sam!" he stared in confusion at his friend who was out of breath "What are you doing here?" he glanced around, "And where is Darkness?"

Sam gulped as he tried to catch his breath, "He…I…We…"

"Calm down Sam." Jack had to shout above the crowd, "Just breath!"

"In the blink of an eye

I can see through your eyes

As I'm lying awake I'm still hearing the cries

And it hurts

Hurts me so bad"

As Star's voice echoed in the air Sam did as was instructed after a moment the boy was able to talk.

"We were at the stand when these spirits broke line." Sam whimpered, "Darkness told them off. He thought that was the end of it but they followed us Jack! They forced us into one of the exit tunnels." The shy teen shook at the memory, "Darkness told me to run…that he'd take care of them."

Jack startled when Sam grabbed his hand

"He's fighting with them right now Jack!" Sam pulled the winter spirit forward, "You have to help him!"

"And I'm wondering why I still fight in this life

'Cause I've lost all my faith in this damn bitter strife

And it's sad

It's so damn sad"

Star's voice drifted over them as Jack nodded, "Take me to him Sam."

"Follow me."

Jack had to hurry and keep pace with the teen now weaving into the jumping crowd

"Oh I wish it was over,

And I wish you were here

Still I'm hoping that somehow"

Star's voice was pushed to the background of his mind as Jack focused on keeping up with Sam. "Man he sure isn't shy now." The winter spirit frowned, there was something off about his friend.

"Cause your soul is on fire

A shot in the dark,

What did they aim for when they missed your heart?"

Jack frowned at how far they were from the stage, the winter spirit hadn't realized that the concession stand was this far…or that it was in this direction.

"Sam where are we going!" Jack had to shout above the screaming spirit's they were weaving around.

"It's just ahead!" Sam pointed to a corridor that was carved into the wall, it clearly labeled exit, "We were heading back to you when they jumped us near here."

Jack glanced back at the stage, it was now smaller the teens having moved a far distance from it. "Darkness owes me big for this." The winter spirit sighed as the band continued singing.

"I breathe underwater

It's all in my hands

What can I do?

Don't let it fall apart."

"Hurry Jack!"

Jack was pulled from the song as Sam rushed into the corridor, "Sam wait on me!" the teen picked up his pace. However, he paused in the corridor when no fighting spirit's met his gaze…only an empty hall and Sam who had stopped in the middle of the corridor.

"Sam…what's going on?" Jack's body tensed when Sam turned slowly, tears now rimming bright green eyes.

"I'm so sorry…but we had too…she's going to kill her if we don't."

Jack took a step back, "What…what have you done with Sam!" the winter spirit clenched his staff tight, "Where is he!"

"He's been taken care of…as well as the other one."

Jack spun around at the new voice, blue eyes widened when he stared into his own face, "What the hell!"

Outside the hall, the throngs of spirits were unaware of the teen now in danger. All they cared about was the band on stage.

"A shot in the dark

A shot in the dark

A shot in the dark

A shot in the dark"

A shot in the dark

I feel you fading away

I feel you fading away

I feel you fading away

I feel you fading away"

Star's voice ended and the music rose in tempo, in response the energy in the stadium rose as well. It was so high that none noticed the surge of energy from the exit hallway…


Please review and let me know what you thought. I love hearing from you. I know it's confusing…but I promise all will be revealed in the next chapter ];) Till next time.

Disclaimer: songs are not mine. It's Somewhere by Within Temptation and A Shot in the Dark by Within Temptation.