Rise of the Guardians: When Nightmares are Present

By: Wolflover77

Enjoy!

Hello my dear little monsters3 Oh, how I have missed this story! I hope I wasn't too long… So I'll just cut to the chase. Enjoy!

This chapter is dedicated to anyone struggling with self image issues, abusive relationships, or troubled minds. Please, find peace. I am here for you.

Jack knew exactly where Jamie was. He and his family were on vacation in Italy, taking a break from the usual routine of everyday life. Jamie had been bouncing up and down on his bed, spewing out thoughts of complete and utter joy to Jack about their upcoming vacation. Jamie, with his young age, had never had the chance to escape daily life other than usual summer beach trips and the occasional trip to a big city like New York or Vegas. This out of the country stuff was new and exciting, and Jack loved the smile it put on the young boy's face.

"Jack, you should soooo come! It would be so much fun! Like, we could see the coliseum and like pretend we're…" Jamie stood on his mattress and struck a heroic pose. " mighty gods! And we could-"

"Jamie," Jack chuckled, "calm down before you explode. You know I can't come… I have to protect everyone from the…" Jack made a silly scary face and stuck his hands out as if he were a zombie " the Boogeyman!" Jack and Jamie fell onto their backs in fitful laughter.

"Jack, you're the best friend I could ever ask for." Jamie said, suddenly ceasing his laughter. A large yawn took over his lips, and Jack sighed.

"C'mon buddy, it's time for bed. You gotta rest up so you can catch your plane tomorrow!" Jack said, pulling back the covers for the boy to slip under. He gently tucked him in and departed the room with a smile.

A backhand to the face. An uppercut to the jaw. Pitch was getting restless. They both were.

"I checked the boy's house Jack! He's not there." Pitch's voice almost seemed insane. He had given up on his torture devices hours ago, and proceeded to use his bare hands as weapons.

Several cracked ribs later, Jack still hadn't responded to the question.

"Shall we use the corkscrews again? I think they are extremely unique… twisting into that pale skin of yours. Erupting those terrified squeals from your throat," Pitch wrapped his slender fingers around Jack's neck. The boy grunted and looked away from the man.

"Do what you want. I won't tell you." Jack said through clenched teeth. Pitch released his throat and eyed the corkscrew in his opposite hand.

He held it up to examine its intricate design… Jack shivered.

Someone actually took the time to make this torture weapon…

Pitch was smiling maniacally and was about to make another snitty remark, when all of a sudden, he stopped. Dead still.

Jack would have been happy for the reprise, if it hadn't been for the toothy grin plastered onto the man's face.

"Well, Jackie," Pitch sniggered. "It looks like we have some company coming to join our happy get together."

Jack's senses went on red alert. His skin tingled. His eyes widened. His breath stopped.

"Let's give them a warm welcome hmmm?" Pitch smiled, and waved his hand. Black sand swirled in a circular mess until it took on the shape of a mirror. Jack saw his bloodied face and the man's sadistic smile. Pitch tapped the glass with his index and the crystal rippled. The ripples faded and the reflecting surface became smooth. Jack no longer saw himself.

He saw all of his fellow guardians.

And Pitch snapped his fingers.

He might as well have snapped Jack's neck as well. The frostling broke into a fit of panic induced kicking and screaming, tears streaming.

North's rear end was on top of Bunny's knee, Tooth's feathers were getting crushed and sandy couldn't utter a word to explain his extreme discomfort. The sleigh wasn't very large, but it would have to do.

The path in the sky to Pitch's palace was a rough one. They tumbled through the air, getting knocked back several yards by gusts of wind or being slightly blinded by tiny snowflakes clinging to their eyelashes as they drove forward.

Snowflakes. Jack.

There was no conversation during the journey. Tooth glared off into the blackening night sky. The beautiful sunset they had seen earlier had disappeared as they drove deeper and deeper into the cold, dark air that led to Pitch's lair. She couldn't help but think… no one was talking.

Ones' mind tends to wander to dangerous subjects when not otherwise occupied by conversation. She prepared herself for the worst… Jack's body unable to be healed, bones protruding, blood stained snowy hair. She even pictured the boy's lifeless body, Pitch standing over it smiling with pride. She thought these things so that if Jack turned out to be in better shape, she would be delighted. If he was found to be in terrible shape, she would be prepared.

"North, we don't have a plan of action. What if he's expecting us. What if he has troops waiting for us?" Tooth suddenly said, forcing the gruesome images of Jack's tortured form to the back of her mind.

Bunny's ears perked up. "Aye, she's right mate."

"This I know… but we not worry. I am determined to walk in fight with strong fist and straight face. No worries." North said, his meaty fists clutching the reins tighter.

But Tooth felt in the pit of her stomach that they should be worried. They weren't dealing with any blood-craving evil mastermind. They were fighting against Pitch Black. The Boogeyman.

Bunny twitched his ears, and Tooth just about cam out of her skin. She jumped around to face Bunny, arms in a battle stance.

"Sweetcheeks, you need to calm your feathers," Bunnymund said laughing. Tooth huffed out.

"I know Bunny. I'm just so worried." Tooth said. She was on overdrive. Every sound pr movement she sensed she jumped, ready to fight.

"There is absolutely nothing to worry-" Bunny's ears drooped. "there was nothing to worry about."

Before them was an army of black stallions and skeletons made of black dust. They wielded shields and swords, and the entire crowd, all 666 of them, cackled with maniacal laughter.

Teehee! T'was a fun chapter to write! Not much torturing going on, but I had to move the plot somehow. As much as we all love the torturing of Jack, I've got to add some good plot development in there!

Please review or PM with suggestions! Corrective criticism is always appreciated! I love getting better!

Wolfie~