Icentuva was freezing cold. It was a planet so far from any star that it was covered in ice and snow with only faint starlight to light the dark world. But it was crawling with people, and Jack Frost was overwhelmed.

"So, these are the people Lunar based me on?" he asked in wonder, watching a snowball fight between little children.

"Indeed. Tsar and Tsarina brought us here when Nightlight was sick to make medicine. He was fascinated by the people," Pitch replied.

The natives of the land were paler than Jack was, just off white enough that compared with the snow they had a smidge of color. They were giants with blue orbs for eyes and serious expressions. As Pitch and Jack walked through their city, the natives stopped to look at the boy with just as much interest. The children pointed and whispered, their eyes wide as they took in Jack's appearance.

A fair woman stood outside of a building made of ice, decorated with blue symbols. Pitch knelt before her, whispering that Jack should do the same. She tapped each of them with a scepter of ice, and Pitch rose.

"Most honorable Chief," he said. "I came here long ago when I was a lad. I traveled with Tsar and Tsarina Lunanoff."

The blue eyes sparkled as they appraised him. "I remember. You were the tall, brooding boy. The other one was much more playful with me."

Pitch inclined his head. "Yes, madam. And my friend and I come for the same reason. The boy of light is injured badly. We need to make medicine, and for that, we humbly request that you allow us to use the glands of the Crystangler. We beg that you would grant us this request."

The chief considered Pitch for a moment then turned to Jack. "What is this boy?"

Jack blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"You have our natural power, boy," she said. "But you are not of our race. Tell me how this is possible."

"Um…I don't know. But Pitch might," he said nervously, gesturing at the Nightmare King.

"I do know. But it is a long story, and we have a long journey ahead of us."

The chief frowned. "You will join me for dinner," she said. "And you will tell me of this boy. The light boy's healing will take at least two octons, as before. You have time."

"I fear it will take longer, Chief. But we would be honored to sit at your table as your guests," Pitch said. Only Jack saw his jaw tighten, and the boy leaned against his staff, biting his cheek.

Three hours later, Jack was led to a table carved of a type of ice that he'd never seen before. It was dark blue and more solid than any ice from Earth. He ran his hands over the ice, taking delight in the chill that seeped into his hands. The chief watched him curiously, seating herself at the head of the table. Pitch stood beside Jack and watched him.

"You, ice boy," the woman said. "Come sit on my right. Prism, to my left."

They obeyed. Jack studied Pitch. "Aren't you going to correct her?" he asked, looking over the strange assortment of cold food.

"It is impolite to contradict the chief," Pitch replied, patience in his tone.

"What am I to be corrected for?"

"His name isn't Prism anymore. It's Pitch. Pitch Black," Jack said, leaning down to peer at a frothing goblet of blue ice.

The chief studied the boy then smiled. "You don't know much about our people, do you?"

"I know little about any people besides the ones on Earth," Jack answered. "I've never been off planet before. Yours is the first other planet I've ever been to. And you're all like me!"

"I beg that you take that into consideration, madam," Pitch said. "He truly never has been off of his own planet before."

"So, he is from Earth?" she asked. Clapping her hands, servants came through the doors and served the food. Jack looked around, grinning.

"Indeed. He was once a human," Pitch said. "They aren't advanced enough to visit other planets yet. But there are several exceptions."

"Because of you," she surmised.

"And Lunar. And Sanderson Mansnoozie. There's even an Earth-born Pooka there."

"Sanderson?" the woman mused. "He sounds familiar."

"Star Captain from the Golden Age," Pitch said. "He landed on earth a few centuries ago."

"I see." Turning to Jack, she tilted her head. "And you. What is your name?"

Jack's plate was full, and he sniffed something suspiciously. "Jackson Overland Frost," he replied. "But everybody calls me Jack. And what's your name?"

"I am Freizena. But you are to refer to me as Chief for now."

"Alright, Chief," Jack said.

"And you are not to touch your food until I take a bite," she continued.

Jack putting the pale meat down. "Sorry."

"As long as you do well to remember it," she said. "You are small. You are a boy?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jack said, showing off his teeth in a bright smile.

"How long until you are a man?"

Jack shook his head. "I never will be, ma'am. The way MiM affected me, I'm going to be a boy forever."

"Like the light boy," she mused.

She picked up a piece of meat and took a bite. Jack glanced at Pitch then down at his food, and the man nodded, picking up a small white square. The boy dug in happily. The foods were so different from Earth, and it was all cold. Jack couldn't take heat unless he ate it, and even then, he'd turn blue from the heat. But this food was decidedly good.

Freizena faced Pitch. "So, you are Pitch Black now?"

"Yes, madam," Pitch said.

"You have changed a lot," she admitted. "Much darker on the outside. It matches your brooding insides."

Pitch nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "Yes. I am darker now."

Jack swallowed a big bite of something salty. "But you still have light," he reminded the man. "But yeah, you do brood a lot."

The Nightmare King shook his head, his lips twitching as he picked up his goblet. Freizena smiled.

"The Lunanoff boy and the light boy were the only ones to ever make you do that."

"What?" Pitch asked, swallowing a mouthful of the sweet drink.

"To make you almost smile. I did try to make you smile. But you never would for me."

"My apologies," Pitch said dryly.

Freizena laughed, the sound like tinkling icicles. "You still have wit, Pitch."

"Buried under my beaming smile and dazzling personality," he deadpanned.

She laughed again, and Jack joined her. Pitch continued to eat, but Jack could tell he loved making them laugh. His eyes gleamed and shimmered as he watched them.

"So, this boy, Jack," she said. "How does he possess my people's power if he is not one of us?"

"You granted Lunar a trinket when he left," Pitch replied. "It contained the power of your people if he ever had need of it. Well, he didn't want it for himself, so he studied it and distilled it into a moonbeam then sent it down into Jack when he was dead. With some secrets of the Golden Age, he brought Jack back to life with the power of ice and snow and wind."

"Amazing," the chief whispered.

"It is indeed," Pitch said. "Unfortunately, I believe Jack's human memory was buried very deeply under the power and now it only comes up in times of great trauma or stress."

Jack swallowed. "Yeah. I got them back, sort of, with my baby teeth, but…" Jack looked down, his brows coming together as sadness bloomed inside of his chest. "I don't remember my sister or mother or father. But I saved my sister's life. That's why MiM picked me."

"MiM?" Freizena asked.

"Lunar," Pitch said. "On Earth, he is known to the children as the Man in the Moon. The spirits he makes call him MiM."

"I see. So, Jack is not the only one of his kind?"

Pitch finished his late bite of food, took a drink, and leaned back. "Depends on what you mean."

"Explain."

"He is not the only human that Lunar has turned into an immortal spirit. But he is the only one with the powers of your people. All of the spirits are very different on Earth. But they are loyal to Lunar."

"Like you and the light boy."

Pitch's cheeks darkened, but he nodded. "Yes. We are both very loyal to Lunar, even after all these years."

"Why did Lunar not come with you?" Freizena asked.

Jack watched Pitch lean forward, his eyes darkening. "He is in trouble."

"What kind of trouble?"

The colors in Pitch's eyes swirled, now more silver, now more golden and Freizena's face became still as ice. The room seemed to lean forward in the silence, fear filling the room. Pitch took a deep breath then hissed one word, his voice low and quiet.

"Obscurus."

Freizena actually yelped and stood, stepping back from the table. The servants dropped everything they were holding, crytalware, food, and drink spreading across the floor. The looks of horror that filled their faces reminded Jack of just what they were up against.

"Dismissed," Freizena barked, sweeping her hand over all of the servants. They scrambled to obey, practically tripping over each other in their haste to get out. The chief sucked in a breath then stood tall. "Is he after you? Will he come here looking for you?"

"No," Pitch said. "He wants me to follow him. And I will. But we need to heal Nightlight. Jack and I need all the help we can get. Please, all we need are the glands of the Crystangler. Then we will leave."

Freizena tapped her foot, her breathing shaky. "Does he know how to control his powers?" she asked tersely, pointing at Jack.

"Not off of Earth. He does not know how to conjure snow and ice without a source."

The woman stood tall. "You may stay here until the light boy is well. If you will let us teach Jack how to defend himself. He has a part of our power, he is one of our people, even if he does not share our blood. This is a dangerous undertaking, Pitch Black. And I do not want you to lose him."

Pitch stood up and bowed low. "That would be wonderful, madam. If you would allow us to get the glands tonight, I can make the medicine."

"They are deep in the lake," she said. "I will get one of my people to get them. It is too cold for you, Pitch."

"I'll go with them," Jack said. "Cold doesn't bother me at all. And I don't need to breathe like humans do."

"Then it shall be your first lesson, Jack Frost. I will get my hunter to take you to the lake. You two will dive in. How much do you need?"

Pitch grimaced. "He is very dark. I think that twenty would do. That would give us over two months of medication, and we can save some just in case."

"You ask much. Luckily, it is breeding season and they are swarming. Please, wait in the front hall."

Pitch bowed, gesturing for Jack to do the same then they departed. Standing just inside the door, Jack stared over the land of snow.

"People are terrified of Shadow Man, aren't they?"

"Aren't you?" Pitch asked tightly.

"Very much," Jack said.

"Then you are smart, Frost," Pitch said. "You know only a fraction of what he has done. I am not the only soul he has crushed. He has destroyed whole planets with fighting and fear. If you think I can wield fear well, you should see him. I hope you don't, Frost. But I have a feeling things will get darker before they get lighter."

"Things are darkest right before the dawn," Jack said.

Pitch swallowed, his eyes focusing on nothing. "Yes. Until there is no dawn and darkness is allowed free reign."

Before Jack could respond, a giant came out. "Chief says you wish to dive, child," he said. "Come, the lakes are this way. It is cold and dark, but she has assured me that you are not bothered by the cold."

"The dark doesn't bother me either. At least some forms of it," Jack replied as they followed the man back out into the village.

Pitch trailed behind for a moment, watching Jack's small form move among the giants. Part of him wished that Jack had stayed on Earth, but a larger part was grateful for the company. He hoped that the boy was really as strong as he seemed. Because what he'd said was true. Shadow Man had taken away most of Pitch's light, and he feared that there would never be a dawn for him again. But he would do everything in his power to make sure that Jack Frost saw another day.