Hey guys! Thank you so much for the reviews, I look forward to them with each chapter. :)

Some housekeeping since I have not done so in a while…. Rise of the Guardian characters belong to Dreamworks. My characters and the story itself belong to me.

Now without further ado, here is the next part of our story. Enjoy.

(Burgess)

At Burgess a sense of peace had settled over the small town. A calm radiated throughout as Burgess was bathed in the dying light of the Sun that was no more than small rim on the horizon. Serenity washed over every home where once fear and panic had taken place and at the Bennett home it was well deserved.

In the living room where once ceilings had been crumbling and furniture had been toppling over everything had returned to normal.

On the oak stand the tv was blaring a bright cartoon, the characters following a map while a strange fox tried to swipe their things.

Across from the fast-moving images, sitting on the plush couch was Jack Frost, the winter spirit trying to make sense as to what could drive a vulpine to a life of crime.

"I just don't get it Jamie…" Jack glanced at his brother who was sitting next to him, "Does the girl not see the guy before he jumps out?" the teen motioned to the fox that was 'hidden' in the large bush on the side of the trail, "I mean he's right there! You can plainly see the guy! It doesn't make sense!"

Jamie grinned, "It's a kid show, it's not supposed to make sense."

"Yeah but it's like they think we're idiots!" Jack frowned at the tv as the two characters were startled by the fox jumping out of the bush.

"Jack, the show's writers assume that the audience watching are young children, not a 300 plus year old winter spirit." Jamie chuckled when his brother didn't respond, it obvious that he was caught up in the show.

"They don't need our help to stop him!" Jack was almost shouting at the tv when the girl on screen asked for the audience's assistance with the criminal, "Just get the monkey to kick the fox with those red boots of his!"

"Really Jack?" Jamie was inwardly laughing at just how animated his older brother was getting over a kids show, "That's a bit violent don't-cha think?"

"I'm just saying that'd be the fastest way to keep the guy from taking your stuff." Jack huffed and crossed his arms, "I doubt just shouting 'no swiping' will be of much use." a huff escaped the teen as he flung back into the couch

In response to Jack's statement Sophie who had been sitting quiet on the floor suddenly bounced to her feet

"Yes, it will Jaf!" a giggle escaped Sophie as she wagged her finger at the screen, "Swiper no…"

Jack smiled as his little sister shouted the line dutifully, "Ok, that's adorable."

"It is, as long as you don't have to suffer through an hour-long marathon of the show." Jamie shuddered, memories returning of the great Explorer marathon that had aired on tv just a few months ago.

"Yeah, I guess I could see where it would get to be too much." Jack grinned as Sophie once again sat on the carpet, her eyes glued to the show as she waited for her next chance to help out.

"Jack…"

"Yeah?" Jack didn't turn from watching the tv

"Did…did that really happen?"

"Yeah a fox just tried to take that poor girl's stuff." Jack grinned as he turned to glance at Jamie, instantly the teen's smile faded when he caught sight of the worry etched on his younger brother's face.

"I'm being serious Jack!" Jamie didn't mean to raise his voice, but for once his older brother's carefree demeanor struck a nerve, "Our dad was possessed by some guy, said dad then used his own soul to bring our mother back from the brink of death, and a freaking earthquake nearly leveled the whole town!"

Jack sat up, a bit startled by Jamie's recollection; he had thought when their mother had fixed the damage, she had made it to where every person in Burgess had forgotten what had occurred. He had figured whatever his mom had done hadn't affected spirit's since he remembered but yet here was Jamie, obviously very much aware of what had happened. Blue eyes slid to Sophie, did his little sister also remember? Just what did she recall? Would it cause her distress?

As Sophie danced around in celebration of finding whatever it was the tv show character had been looking for Jack concluded that if Sophie did remember what had happened the little girl would be more shaken, like Jamie.

Speaking of…

"Jamie, I know everything that happened must have been really scary for you."

Jamie shook slightly as the winter spirit put an arm around him and pulled him close

Jack flinched slightly at the boy's shudder, he always forgot about the cold air that surrounded him.

"It was a bit much." Jamie spoke quickly, not wanting the winter spirit to think he didn't want the contact, "But the thing that really got me Jack…was something that Sophie told me dad said."

"Oh?" Jack moved slightly so Jamie could be more comfortable, "What did she tell you?"

"So…Sophie told it to me while we were shielded by Uncle Abyss." Jamie's eyes went to Sophie who was still watching her show, "and I don't even really know how Sophie heard..." here Jamie paused as if struggling to speak.

Jack waited patiently for Jamie to continue, it obvious to him from the tone of his brother's voice whatever had been said was really bothering him.

"She said dad whispered to mom…" here Jamie took a moment then continued, "Even if I cause the whole world to burn and I tear apart the Universe itself, I will reach into the Void to bring you back to me even if I must do it a thousand times."

A silence settled as Jack let what their dad had said sink in. The words spun around his mind, pulling up his own questions he had been having about their dad.

"I mean, Sophie could have just thought that's what she heard."

Jack moved his arm to allow Jamie to sit up when his brother moved to do so

"Everything was pretty crazy, and she is only four…and she's got a big imagination too." Jamie kept going, trying to rationalize what had been told to him, "I mean, just before all this went down, she was going on about her new imaginary friend 'Hairy Toes'."

Jack nodded quickly, "Yeah, I bet it was just her imagination." The winter spirit didn't really think that but to put his brother at ease he'd pretend.

"I mean if what she was heard is true, it was pretty dark." Jamie shivered though he was no longer near the winter spirit, "So it would explain why dad's power was so destructive…or why he tried to attack you."

"You saw that?" Jack winced slightly; he had been hoping that Jamie had been still hidden under Abyss's wings.

Jamie gave a sheepish smile "I kind of…peeked to see what was happening."

"Of course, you did." Jack grinned as he ruffled Jamie's hair, his expression then turned thoughtful "Jamie you know how dad was already really injured from what Stitcher did to him in the Vaults? I think that when he healed mom, it made dad's life force really low so he was just searching for anything he could that would help him recover." Jack pulled his legs up so that he was sitting cross-legged on the couch, "I don't think dad realized who I was."

"Yeah." Jamie nodded, "Dad sounded horrified when mom told him."

"Well at least now everything can calm d…"

A sudden eruption of orange light outside the window followed quickly by a loud scream cut Jack short.

"Then again…" Jack exhaled as he watched an orange hue light up the blackness outside the house. In almost one fluid motion, Jack grabbed his staff that had been propped against the couch and leapt to the front door, he paused briefly to look at Jamie who was about to get up, "Stay here Jamie, it could be dangerous."

"But Ja…"

Jack didn't wait to hear his brother's argument, instead he flung open the door and hurried outside. Once outside on the porch however Jack stopped mid step at the sight before him.

In the front yard Onyx was rearing up on his hind legs, the equestrian screaming as he raked the air with his front hooves. On the stallions back Patrick's own scream was blending with the Nightmare's while Iris was desperately trying to get the creature to calm down.

Just a few feet from where the Nightmare stood fire was whirling in the air, and at the center of the swirling flames was Ratri. The canine's entire body was stiff, the hairs along both necks standing straight up. Deep rumbling growls resounded as both maws snapped periodically showing their teeth.

"Oh no…" Jack's eyes widened when he saw the canine's heads rear back, he knew exactly what was about to happen.

Without thinking Jack raced down the stairs, quickly placing himself between the Orthus and her target.

"Ratri calm down girl!" Jack held his arms out wide, trying to show the canine that he meant no harm though his hand clutched his staff just in case she was too caught up in her attack.

Fire crackled within both maws as Ratri stared at the winter spirit, as if she were trying to process who he was. After a moment recognition sparked and Ratri's jaws snapped shut extinguishing the flames she had been about to launch.

With Ratri stopping her attack Jack quickly turned to the Nightmare

"Easy there…." Jack held his hand outwards, as he had seen Pitch do with the creatures.

Onyx snorted as he dropped back to his feet

"There now." Jack kept his voice calm as he slowly stepped to the Nightmare, the teen shivered at the blazing gold eyes that seemed bore into him. "Everything is ok…" when he was just a few inches from the creature Jack lunged forward grabbing the sand reigns that were attached to him.

Onyx startled at the act, his head jerking upwards

Jack however was ready, with a firm hand he held on keeping the Nightmare's head level with his eyes, "See, everything's fine." He relaxed when Onyx let loose a final snort and then settled, "You two ok?"

"Peachy." Patrick grumbled as he quickly dismounted, "Just 'love' taking the Nightmare Express, where any ride could be your last."

"Quite being dramatic Patrick." Iris rolled her eyes as he helped her down.

Jack chuckled when Patrick started grumbling, however instead of listening to the spirit argue with Iris the winter spirit turned to where Ratri stood, a wall of flames still flickering around her.

"Hey girl what's wrong?" Jack spoke softly as he left the Nightmare and moved to the Orthus, "Did you get scared by Onyx?"

Ratri snorted, this young spirit had no idea of what her kind was capable of if he thought for a moment that she had reacted as she had because she had been 'scared'. However, she didn't really have time to educate him, her master needed help and if she remembered correctly this boy was a trusted soul that her master depended on.

Jack startled when the flames suddenly dissipated into a mist of thick smoke, once it was gone the winter spirit's eyes widened when he caught sight of what lay on the ground behind the canine, "Darkness!"

Ratri moved to allow the teen access to her master, a whine escaping her as he passed.

Jack didn't notice her distress as he knelt quickly beside Darkness, the teen's attention fully on the large open wound in the shade's back that could be seen through his singed shirt.

"Who would do this…" Jack was beside himself when his attention left the bleeding wound and he caught sight of the bands of gold that were clasped tightly around the shade, pinning his arms to his side and holding his ankles tight together. A wave of anger rose within Jack when he saw that whoever had attacked Darkness had not only bound him but had wrapped a gold band around the spirit's mouth covering the entire area under his nose to the bottom of his chin.

"When I get my hand on whoever did this to you Darkness…." Jack let his threat hang as he tried to undo the golden band that was around his head. The teen growled under his breath when the band didn't budge, he felt the same sense of anger when he tried to remove the other bands with the same unyielding result.

"No wonder Ratri did what she did, she was protecting Darkness!"

Jack glanced up to see Iris was now beside him, her face etched with worry and concern "Iris, he's hurt really bad." Jack motioned to the wound, "And I can't get these off him!" the teen couldn't help his voice rising as he again tried to pull the golden bands loose.

"Don't worry Jack, I'll do what I can for him." Iris turned her head, motioning with her hand "Patrick come here quickly and help Jack! We need to get this wound taken care of."

At her voice Patrick was there in an instant

"Geez Darkness, what have you gotten yourself into this time?"

Though he tried to make it sound like he was perturbed Jack could hear the concern in Patrick's voice.

"Come you two, we need to hurry so I can treat that wound." Iris spoke as she started to the house obviously already thinking of what she would need to help the shade.

"Jack I'll pick him up from the shoulders." Patrick stopped briefly and patted Ratri on her heads, "Don't worry girl we'll take care of him." The spirit then glanced at Jack, "Grab his legs ok?"

"Sure." Jack spoke as he quickly moved to the shade's bound legs. As he helped Patrick carry Darkness into the house the winter spirit couldn't help the rock like feeling that had settled in stomach. If Darkness was here, bound, gagged, and wounded…where was Sam?

(Unknown)

The answer to that question was one that Sam himself would have liked to know.

Crimson eyes blinked open as Sam began to rouse, the boy winced as a headache began to throb behind his temples. Fear welled up within his chest when Sam realized he was no longer surrounded by the forest. With a bit of effort Sam managed to sit up so he could get a better view of where he was.

The teen instantly could tell that he was in a hall, on either side of him walls of cracked white stone seemed to stretch on indefinitely in both directions. Sam glanced down at the floor, the teen shivering slightly at the sight of the blood red stone that made it up.

"Ok, just how do I get out of…wherever I am?" Sam thought as he used the wall to help him get to his feet, "I have no idea which way to go…" crimson eyes looked from one end of the hall the other.

Sam stiffened when footsteps suddenly filled the air.

"How was I supposed to know he'd pass out when we jumped to the Roshan Path."

A wave of terror took hold of the teen at Haruto's voice, he could tell that the man was coming up the hallway in front of him.

"…be really weak if he can't even stay conscious during the jump."

Sam glanced at the hall behind him, he couldn't see where it led just that the endless line of torches made it seem that it went on forever.

"No, I will not see why! You sound like Fate! I don't want to look at the boy's path!"

A moment of silence followed Haruto's words, then to Sam's surprise he heard a loud sigh

"Because Estrala, I plan to keep my word if Jack does accept my offer." Haruto's voice seemed to tremble, "and I can't do that if I am destined to kill the kid."

At that an involuntary whimper escaped Sam, he needed to find a way back to Burgess…not for himself but for Jack. Sam trembled; he would never be able to forgive himself if the winter spirit got hurt because of him.

"Oh good! You're awake."

Sam took a step back as Haruto emerged into view.

"When you passed out, I was worried the jump to the Roshan had injured you in some way."

"Why would you care if I'm hurt." Sam tried to make his voice sound brave even though inside fear was taking over "You're just going to kill me, anyway right?"

Haruto stopped walking a thoughtful look coming to his face, "Well to be honest I don't know." A cruel grin came to the man's face, "As bait it is your job to entice Jack to give himself up for you and in order for you to do that…" here a gleam came to Haruto's eyes, "You'll need to be a bit 'worse for ware' if you get my drift." Haruto laughed, "So there is slight chance you'll not survive."

"Please…." Sam couldn't manage more than that, the poor teen already picturing the tortures that lay ahead.

"It's pointless to beg Sam. My mind is made up and I am going to follow through on the path I have chosen." Haruto motioned behind him "Now no more questions from you, we need to get moving. I have a lot of preparations to get done before I return to Burgess."

Sam took another step back as Haruto began walking towards him again.

Sam's eyes darted behind him at large extensive hall. He wasn't sure where it led however Haruto had motioned to the opposite end so that way must be where the spirit was wanting to take him…so the other way must lead to where they had entered and that would take him back to Burgess.

Before he could change his mind, Sam turned and raced down the hall

"Really! Get back here! You'll regret this!"

Sam ran faster as Haruto's infuriated threat echoed behind him. The teen had no idea where he was running to, just that he had to keep away from Haruto.

The teen continued down the never-ending hall, Sam didn't dare slow in fear that Haruto would catch up to him. Sam chanced a look behind him, to his surprise Haruto was nowhere in sight… had he truly outrun the spirit? As the teen turned to face forward again a gasp escaped him and he stopped in his tracks.

A large iron door now rose before him, outlined by black iron torches. Upon its surface ancient letters etched in gold covered every inch of its surface along with several jade chains that crisscrossed over each other until the end of each link disappeared into a large golden lock that was embedded in the middle of the door.

"Told you you'd regret it."

Sam whipped around to face Haruto who was leisurely walking towards him, "You tricked me!"

"It was easy." Haruto's voice resounded with a laugh, "I knew you would run the opposite way I was standing so I just made sure you would go the way I wanted."

Sam glanced at the door behind him, "You wanted to bring me here?"

"Yep, this is the entrance to my palace."

The hall echoed with Haruto's booming laugh

"And you ran straight to it!" Haruto grinned, "I was certain I'd have to drag you here. I mean just how awesome was that fake out? It took a bit of planning and everything had to fall into place for it…"

Sam didn't wait to hear the rest of the man's bragging, instead the teen lunged forward in a desperate effort to get past him.

Unfortunately, Haruto was ready for his inevitable escape attempt

"Yoink!"

A yelp escaped Sam as he was yanked upwards by his shirt

"Put me down!" Sam thrashed wildly, his legs kicking in all directions as he tried to get free of Haruto's hold.

"Just give it a rest." Haruto spoke as he held the thrashing teen outwards and began walking to the door.

Sam couldn't help the cry that escaped when upon reaching the door Haruto suddenly let go of his shirt and he crashed to the floor. Before he could even try to get to his feet Sam was slammed to the ground by Haruto's foot being thrust onto his back.

"Now just give me a moment Sam." Haruto spoke as he took the lock that held the jade chains together in his hand, "I think I remember how to get in…"

Sam craned his neck so he could watch as Haruto fiddled with the golden lock, as the chains began to dissipate one by one Sam tried one last time to beg for mercy for his friend "Please, could you please just leave Jack out of this?"

"Sorry Sam, but I have business with my nephew." Haruto huffed as he had to apply more pressure to keep the struggling teen down, "He owes me answers."

"Why don't you just ask him!" Sam couldn't help his voice raising as he tried to get from beneath the man's foot (which would have been much easier if his arms were not bound)

Haruto shrugged, "I could have I guess." A slight smirk came to his face, "But then I'd have kidnapped you for no reason."

"I don't care! You don't have to let me go if you don't want to." Sam spoke quickly, "I…I can be your slave if that's what it takes!" The teen shrank down as he stopped fighting, "Just as long as you leave Jack alone…"

Haruto was silent for a moment, then a sigh escaped him

"I can't do that Sam." Haruto's voice was quiet as he spoke, "I need to bring Jack here in order to glean the answers I need from him."

Sam whimpered then continued softly "C…can you at least let him go afterwards?"

"Can't make that promise Sam." Haruto shook his head, "Now, no more Sam. I need to make you a bit more 'comfortable' before Jack gets the message, I left for him."

A whimper escaped the teen as once again Haruto picked him up by his shirt and he was carried through the door and to whatever torment awaited.

Cliff! Please review and let me know what you guys thought of the chapter, I love hearing from you. Disclaimer Dora nor anything mentioned about the show does not belong to me.

I hope you all have a Happy New Year :) Till next time.