Hey guys! Thank you for the reviews and continued support. I love hearing from you and seeing how you guys are liking the story. I am really proud I got this chapter done…its been rough the last few weeks. I've been pretty sick, then to top it off I got the flu :( Which is awful! I wish it on no one! Anyway, enough of my rambling, here is the next chapter enjoy :)


(Burgess forest, Jack's Lake)

Hundreds of trees stood in quiet as they continued their vigil as keepers of the forest. Their branches waivered slightly as a slight breeze cascaded through their limbs as if the Wind itself was thanking them for their service. Aside from the many creature's they watched over the wooden sentinels also keep watch over the birthplace of one of Moon's children.

The once rippling lake now lay still as it had for the last three hundred plus years. The flickering stars above were reflected within the surface of the lake forever frozen since the day the young spirit Jack Frost was born from its depths. It was a somber place, one of silence and reflection, where little to no one ever visited.

However tonight the lonely lake's silent solitude was broken as a shadow of one of the trees began quivering. Within moments a tall spirit emerged from the blackness, the man's dark grey skin glistening in the faint star light above.

Golden eyes scanned his surroundings, Pitch not wanting to be caught off guard should the Kiln that had kidnapped Sam have friends hanging around.

Once he was certain everything was clear Pitch stepped further from the flickering shadow, careful to move to the side to allow the spirit that was following him to exit as well.

"Ok Cazador, how far from this point was Sam's last location?" Pitch turned his head slightly to look at the young hunter who was shaking himself as if trying to dry off.

Cazador ignored the question as he made a face, "Travel by dark unsettle Cazador. Cazador no like it."

Pitch chuckled slightly, "Sorry about that, most do find shadow travel a bit…strange."

"Man in Black not?" Cazador's eyes widened

The Nightmare King shrugged, "I've grown accustomed to it." He then motioned towards the trail, "Now back to the reason we are out here?"

Cazador brightened, "Yes, Cazador will take straight to Nightstalker no time."

Pitch waited for a moment as Cazador just stood there grinning, with a sigh the shade shook his head, "Anytime now Cazador."

"Oh yes!" Cazador's expression turned sheepish, "Will ask Aylward for help now."

The Nightmare King held up an arm to shield his eyes as a bright light wrapped around the hunter's body, within seconds the light cleared allowing the darkness to once again take its place. Pitch lowered his arm, his gaze going to the white wolf standing where Cazador had been.

"Ok I am sure Cazador explained to you what we are doing." Pitch waited a moment as the wolf's attention focused on him completely, "So if we could get going that'd be great."

A low growl escaped the wolf, of course he knew how important this was. The pack's pup had been taken! It was the humans who had been wasting time! He had been ready to go from the moment they had left the Dark Place and arrived back in the Forest.

Pitch startled when the wolf turned almost on heel and barreled into the undergrowth. Without hesitation the Nightmare King rushed after the canine trusting in the wolf to take him to Sam.

As he followed Pitch reached out again, searching the vast forest for any sense of fear he could find.

The Nightmare King winced as thousands of fears rushed him. Ones of being trapped, of being eaten, of not finding enough food to stave off starvation. Pitch shook his head trying to clear away the fears he knew were coming to him from the many animals that resided within the forest around him.

"Sam you must be terrified…so why can't I sense you?" Pitch questioned as again he sensed no hint of Sam's fear. A sudden howl of anguish jolted Pitch from his searching question. He stopped mid-step as he watched the wolf who had been so confident race back and forth in the small clearing as if in a panic.

"What's wrong?" Pitch felt every hair on his neck raise as the canine let out another mournful sound. He startled when golden light engulfed the creature, a slight grimace etched onto his face as Pitch noticed the wolf's body contorting as he once again transformed back.

Once the transformation was complete Cazador fell to his knees, his hands gripping the earth as if he were trying to keep from falling over.

"This no be!" Cazador's wail filled the air "Cazador certain this be where they go!"

"Calm down Cazador." Pitch grew very concerned when the hunter jumped to his feet "We will find them."

A whine escaped the frantic spirit as Cazador darted all around the clearing, "But Man in Black no understand! Aylward followed scent! This where they be!"

Pitch exhaled; he had been afraid of this from the moment he had tried to find Sam's fear. Golden eyes lowered as Pitch's shoulders sagged, "Cazador, I am afraid they are no longer here."

Brown eyes widened in horror, "That no be! Cazador was fast in getting pack! No can have reached Transport Stone by time!" Cazador jumped when a hand settled on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault Cazador." Pitch squeezed the boy's shoulder trying to reassure him, "I believe now that whoever this Kiln was that took Sam must have been very prepared. First to have gotten the drop on Darkness, then you…He must have thought of having a Far stone on him."

Cazador's eyes went wide, "No say so! That mean there no be way to get Nightstalker back!"

Pitch exhaled, "Not impossible Cazador, just…much harder than we expected." The Nightmare King's eyes glanced at the empty trail, "Come on, there is no need for us to be out here now. Let's get back to the house to see if Darkness has woken up yet. Perhaps he can shed more light on who has taken Sam."

The shade waved a hand ordering the shadow of a nearby rock to assist them, without another look at the empty forest Pitch stepped into the quivering blackness Cazador hot on his heels.


(Citadel Balark)

The cold moon reflected like a beacon through brilliant painted glass, sending a cascade of color across unfeeling stone. Whispers of souls long departed seemed to flow from every shadow of the long corridor that led deep into the ancient castle. Silent guardians made of iron stood in conclaves carved into the length of the hall. These hollow soldiers had witnessed much in their time on duty, though tonight they were watching an event that normally never occurred within Palace Balark, an escape attempt.

"Ok, Decadence just breath." a young woman tried to steady herself as she peeked around one of the empty suits of armor. Her eyes darted around the corridor, "Most of the imps are sleeping in the main chamber with Famine…and Kreager is too busy harassing the Dryads in the kitchen to notice my absence." A shudder shook her at the thought of the young demon, "If he will stay distracted so if I can just make it to the outside courtyard then I'll be home free."

Decadence gripped the small stone she held in her hand as if it were her lifeline, "Stupid Vengeance had to make this more difficult than it needed to be by having those barrier runes in place to keep people from transporting from within the castle." A gleam came to her eyes, "But that's something I'll have to take up with him another time, right now I need to get out of here."

With one last check to make sure she was alone, Decadence stepped out from behind the armor she had been crouched. The silent hall almost seemed to resound with the sound of her foot coming to rest on the thin carpet that had been laid down the center of the hall.

"Did Vengeance really need to put this here?" A slight snort escaped when her bare feet sank into the soft cloth, "It would have been more practical to just leave marble tile."

"What do we have here?"

Decadence's heart froze, trembling she turned around to face the all too familiar figure standing at the entrance of the hall, "Kreager." The name was spoken with a mixture of anger and fear.

The young demon sneered as he strolled into the corridor, "So, you thought to take advantage of the fact Vengeance didn't shackle you in irons and try to escape huh?" Kreager's emerald wings flared to the sides, "Well I can assure you after I drag your sorry carcass to his throne room, you'll live out the rest of your miserable days chained to a cell wall."

Decadence's heart was racing as the creature came towards her, "Can I still make it?" Decadence's eyes darted behind her; she could see the end of the hall just a few feet away from where she stood. Just feet from it was the door to freedom…

"Don't even think about it sweetie."

Her thoughts were interrupted by the demon's sneer, her heart resumed its race as she focused again on him.

"Just accept the fact that you lost your only chance of escape." Kreager's tail lashed behind him as he grinned, "Unless of course, you think you can win a fight against me."

Decadence eyes narrowed at the demon's condescending tone; her expression became stoic as the demon drew ever closer; she was determined not to let him see her fear.

"Well?"

"I…I…" Decadence hated that she stammered, but with the creature now looming over her, his fierce blood red eyes bearing down on her…the brilliant, defiant retort she had prepared within her mind died on her tongue.

Kreager sneered, "Speechless for once?" a slight laugh escaped as he raised a hand, "That's a nice change."

Decadence closed her eyes, her entire body trembling as the demon's rough skin brushed her cheek as he caressed her face.

"You know, it's a shame really." Kreager let out a sigh as if he were saddened

To her surprise the creature's hand cupped her face gently, Decadence opened her eyes quickly staring in confusion at the demon.

"Once I take you to Vengeance you most likely will not be seen again." Kreager's grin widened, revealing his canines, "Maybe you could beg him to kill you quickly hmmm?"

Decadence caught her tongue just in time before she replied with what she wanted to say. Instead she remained silent, waiting for the opportunity she needed to present itself.

The next few moments silence reigned then Kreager let out a laugh

"Perhaps I shouldn't bother Vengeance with such a silly matter like this. I could go ahead and dispose of you myself without troubling our King." The demon stepped back, his eyes glancing over his shoulder "No one will even miss you…" the demon sneered as he reached to draw his sword

Decadence didn't give him the chance, with speed like a striking snake her left gloved hand shot out and slammed palm first onto the demon's chest.

Kreager's eyes bulged in tandem with the explosion of sparks that erupted from beneath the woman's hand.

The once silent hall echoed with a loud thud as the demon slumped to the floor, his body twitching as volts of electricity continued to make their way through his body before they dissipated.

"That little bauble is just something I happened to pick up around here Kreager." Decadence sneered at the writhing demon as she turned her gloved hand upwards revealing the glistening red stone imbedded within the palm of it.

"It's called a Lyze stone, and as you can see Kreager it delivers quite the shock." She glanced down at the creature who now lay stiff, "Oh so it's true then." Decadence's smile widened when she noticed the demon's lids lower and raise slowly, "The Lyze halts most muscle movement but you're still aware of everything around you."

A low grunt escaped Kreager when the woman used her foot to move his head, the demon's eyes blazed with fury at his helplessness.

"Seems the wind has shifted in my favor hmmmm Kreager?" Decadence's face darkened as she placed her foot on the creature's neck, "Now, I'm sure no one will miss you."

Kreager's widened in fear as his words were thrown back at him. The demon's entire body trembled when Decadence pressed down cutting off his air. Blood red eyes widened in sheer terror as his lungs spasmed as they were denied air.

Every instinct in him screamed to remove the pressure now denying him oxygen, unfortunately for Kreager due to the Lyze stone's power he could not so much as lift a finger, yet alone save himself.

"This is it; I die here." Kreager's thought whirled wildly along with his mind's panic, then suddenly the pressure on his throat was lifted. Kreager greedily inhaled and exhaled certain that he would never take the action for granted again.

"I am sparing your life." Decadence smirked as she tapped the creature's forehead with her foot, "Remember that worm."

Kreager wanted to scream that he's rather be dead than be beholden to her in anyway, but again he was helpless to do anything but blink.

"Well, this has been fun." Decadence was enjoying the sense of power she was feeling as she stepped away, "But I have places to be. Tell Vengeance I said bye." then she turned on her heel and raced as fast as she could down the hall towards the entrance and freedom.


(Burgess at the Bennett home)

While across the world a bid for freedom was coming to fruition in the small town of Burgess Jack felt as though he may well have been a prisoner.

For the first time in a long time Jack felt trapped, he knew that if he followed Haruto's orders he'd be offering himself up for slaughter (since his insane uncle most likely had that as the end outcome of their little 'talk'.) But if he refused Jack knew that Sam would suffer for it, Haruto had already shown that he was cruel and heartless when it came to his friend's well-being and Jack didn't doubt for a moment Haruto would kill his friend just to prove that he should be obeyed.

"What do I do?" Jack spoke to no one as he meandered in the kitchen, the teen taking a moment from watching over Darkness to grab him some comfort food.

"On the one hand if I tell them that it's Haruto that took Sam Pitch would throw a conniption fit." Jack smiled slightly, "I could say goodbye to even thinking about going to meet the guy even if it were a setup on our part. Pitch wouldn't allow it." The boy's smile dropped as he moved to the fridge, "On the other, if I don't tell someone then I'll be going to meet Haruto strictly on his terms."

A sigh escaped the teen as he snatched a can of soda from the top shelf, "I mean the smart thing to do would be to tell everyone, right?"

The question was answered by the psst sound of the can opening, Jack glanced down at the can of soda the boy staring as if the dark brown liquid could give him the answer he needed.

After a moment Jack turned and grabbed a bag of chips from the counter and in almost the same motion pulled out one of the table chairs.

"Ok, so if I tell Pitch I'll be on lock down." Jack quickly opened the bag and grabbed one of the orange triangles from within its red packaging, "and if I don't…" 'crunch' Jack popped the chip into his mouth, "I'm basically dead, more or less."

"Jack! Where are you!"

Jack jumped at the voice, a spark of anger welled up in the teen's chest at the panic he could here in the spirit's voice, "I'm in here!" his eyes darkened slightly as Patrick raced into the room.

"Ummm I was just…" Patrick rubbed the back his neck, the man not missing the growing look of anger on the winter spirit's face.

"I said I wasn't leaving ok?" Jack glared for a moment, then he snatched out a chip and crunched it as loud as he could, "I told you I'd watch over Darkness, didn't I?"

"Yeah I know kid." Patrick exhaled as he pulled out a chair and joined the teen, "But I also know though how worried you must be for your friend. I know whenever Pitch was in trouble, I couldn't be held back from trying to help him."

Jack straightened slightly, the anger starting to dissipate, "I feel the same way!"

Patrick nodded, "But Jack, you need to be patient I am sure Pitch and Cazador will catch up to them soon and Sam will be back safe, and sound and that Kiln will be wishing they'd never been born."

The winter spirit opened his mouth to dispute that, he wanted to scream that Pitch would not find Sam because his poor friend had already been whisked away to some dungeon where he was being tortured! However, Jack quickly stopped himself, knowing that if he said anything Patrick would want to know how he knew and then he'd have no choice but to explain everything.

So instead of shouting at the top of his lungs like he wanted Jack instead turned and again silently continued eating the chips before him.

Patrick watched the winter spirit for a moment, he could tell something was wrong, but the spirit just chalked that up to the boy being worried about Sam.

After a moment a strained silence filled the room, and Jack couldn't take it.

"So, how's dad?"

"Oh, he's in good hands." Patrick grinned, glad the boy was talking, "Iris is up there now helping your mom." The spirit chuckled, "You should have seen Abyss's face when she busted up in the room and began giving him orders. Classic."

Jack grinned, the image of his very extinguished uncle taking orders running through his mind, "Man I would have liked to have seen that."

"Yeah it was…"

The front door slamming open caused both of them to jump, without waiting Jack was on his feet and rushing to the front foyer Patrick close on his heels.

Upon reaching the opening Jack halted and stared at Pitch and Cazador who had just walked in. The winter spirit knew instantly that the two had not found Sam but to save suspicion he had to ask.

"Did you find him?" Jack tried to sound convincing, but his words fell flat off his tongue

Pitch raised an eyebrow; the shade didn't miss the way his brother's question sounded more like a statement. He dismissed it as Jack just believing the worst outcome, which unfortunately had come to pass.

"No Jack. I am afraid that whoever this Kiln is that took Sam must have had a Far stone or some other means of teleportation."

"You sure Pitch?" Patrick frowned they moved to the living room, "Kiln's aren't usually that prepared."

"Well this one obviously was!" Pitch's voice rose as he turned and faced the spirit, "He had a very specific target and knew exactly how to get him." The Nightmare King waved a hand at Darkness, "I have fought this bastard several times and some lightweight Kiln could not have done that much damage with one blow. This Kiln is a lot more dangerous than we first thought."

"Do you think he's after the Hellstaff?" Patrick's voice quivered slightly, the man knowing that if that were the case the poor teen was most likely being 'questioned' about its whereabouts.

"That's a high possibility." Pitch narrowed his eyes when he looked again at the shade on the couch, "Hey, when did the bands come off?"

"I managed to get them off." Jack spoke quickly

"How?" Pitch moved to Darkness's side, his hand gently pressing where the bands had been wrapped around his arms and face, "We used every spell we knew…"

"Ummmm I used ice?" Jack sweat dropped when Pitch looked at him, clearly not buying the story.

Patrick however bought it hook line and sinker, "That's brilliant Jack! Fire and ice don't mix so that would make it the perfect element to break a Kiln's spell, especially if he wanted to go for the not so obvious."

Jack nodded quickly, "Yeah, that's it!"

Pitch stared at his brother; he could tell that something was off with the teen however he didn't want to press him so for now he'd let it slide.

"Ok well we can't do much tonight so let's all try and get some rest." Pitch spoke quietly as he moved to the armchair across from the couch, "I will keep an eye on Darkness. Hopefully he will wake up soon and can tell us more on who this spirit is that took Sam."

"But Pitch I…" Jack stopped when the Nightmare King held up a hand

"Just go rest Jack." Pitch's expression softened, "You will need it for tomorrow."

"Oh, if only you knew." Jack exhaled as he moved to go up the stairs as Patrick began asking more questions of how the search went. "and I wish I could tell you." The winter spirit thought to himself as he trudged up the stairs.


Please review and let me know what you guys thought of the chapter :) I love hearing from you and seeing what you thought of the update. I am so excited for what is coming…I can barely contain it ];) Until next time