Author's Note: Hello everyone! =D Welcome to a brand-new story written by none other than, well, meh. Moon. BeyondTheMoon1203! XD

My goodness, I'm super-duper excited to finally be posting this ROTG fanfic...This particular story is incredibly long (forty-two chapters. I'm currently in the process of writing chapter five while simultaneously plotting on the remaining twenty-six chapters, which probably won't take me very long X)), and it's also my second T rated story (for future chapters. I couldn't fit that in the summary X)). =D I think this story is much more intense than "Sounds of Silence," but that's just me. X) You guys can think whatever you want, haha. XD

A little bit of background on this fanfiction (but you can skip this if ya want to. I know my author's notes are pretty meh XD): I came up with the idea of this story back in 2021 when I first became an ROTG fan. =D This fanfiction has been one that I've been looking forward to writing for a long time, and I've been spending a lot of my free time plotting it out and writing it. X) I've read a lot of fanfictions in which Jack receives terrible nightmares from Pitch and the Guardians set out to stop them, and I was kind of inspired by those stories, but I also wanted to put my own twist on the idea. Not only will Jack be facing his fears in this fanfiction, but the Guardians will be too. You'll see what I mean as the plot progresses. =)

So far, this story is over 23,000 words, even though I've only got up to chapter four completed, haha. XD From as far as I can tell, "Dream On" is going to be one heck of a tale so...*Jack's voice* get ready. X)

I'd also like to mention that my family will be taking a trip to Chicago next week on the ninth, and we'll be there for two days. =) Due to the trip, I obviously won't be posting at that time, but I was so excited to get this out to you guys, I decided to post chapter one today, write as many chapters as I can before my fam and I set out for Illinois, and continue posting the rest of this fanfiction on the fourteenth. =) Sound good? I hope so. XD

Anyway, I'd just like to thank you guys for your patience since I've completed "Sounds of Silence." =) I try to be as consistent as I can when it comes to posting, but I sometimes do fall a little bit behind because of *sighs* LIFE. =') I know it's only been a couple of days since that stories' completion, but some of my absences have been a lot longer than a few days. X)

Which brings me to the final part of this author's note...my first hiatus break. =')

Yes, yes. I know. Very shocking indeed, haha. XD

After, like, seven months posting fanfictions pretty much nonstop, I will be taking a break from FFN that I think is well-deserved...? (Man, my awkwardness never seems to leave me...). Of course, it's not happening right now, but after I finish "Dream On," I'll be taking a one-month hiatus to catch up and, well, to simply take a break. X) I recently came up with a hiatus schedule since high school is right around the corner for me so I'll still be able to balance both my schoolwork and my stories. =D I'll announce each hiatus, so for this upcoming one, I'm estimating the twenty-fourth of September to the twenty-fourth of October. =) From then on, I'll be taking a one-month hiatus break every two months (but of course I might not always follow that rule depending on how eager I am to post a new story, haha XD). My hiatus breaks will also be posted on my profile so you don't have to skim through every author's note I write to find out when they'll start and end. X)

Annnnnnd, that's all I've got to say! =D Ah, I'm glad to have gotten all that off my plate. X) To those who actually read this whirlwind of an author's note, thanks! XD

Now for the reason why you're all here...Right down below is the very first chapter for "Dream On, so I hope you guys enjoy it just as much as I did writing it. =D

Chapter One: An Unrestful Night

Jack Frost was very, very tired.

The simple answer to that would be to simply get some sleep, but he couldn't. Why?

Because of nightmares. And even though Jack hated to admit it, he was scared of them.

Sitting on his favorite tree branch protruding from one of the many trees that surrounded his home, Jack gazed out at his lake in front of him. The night was soft and tranquill, the view comforting and calming to the troubled winter spirit that looked toward it. Snow piled around the area, sparkling in the moonlight like stardust, and the frozen lake before him was as smooth as glass. Frost patterns lined the rim of the lake, stretching and curling like silk. The Moon above was round and full; moonbeams pouring out onto the lake, pooling on the smooth surface as if they were a spotlight. Jack's loving friend the Wind swirled around him in a tight embrace, and though he knew that his oldest friend was attempting to calm him, the Guardian of Fun was still perturbed.

Whenever Jack gazed upon his lake, a sense of calm would wash over him. His worries and fears would melt away the instant he set his eyes on the place where his story began. He was deeply connected to the small lake that sat in the middle of the forest. So many tales and so much of his history had taken place at that very body of water, and it was those memories and moments that would soothe Jack whenever his eyes landed on it. He loved his lake, especially at night when everyone was tucked away, and the owls would hoot their eerie melody. But as Jack stared at his lake, his home, his refuge…the place that he considered the most beautiful area on earth, he wasn't calmed. He wasn't pacified. He wasn't soothed and nor did he feel any less disturbed. The view of the serene atmosphere of his lake normally eased him after a nightmare, but this time, the lake failed to do its job.

Jack found no comfort in the view of his home. He was rattled, shaken, and—though he hated to admit it—more fearful than he had ever felt in a long, long time. He had only felt this fear once before; a year ago when he had first been introduced to the Guardians of Childhood. But it wasn't only fear that he sensed. He detected something darker and more ominous than the trepidation that kept him awake.

Darkness. And it wasn't the darkness of the night or the woods that surrounded his lake, but the dark aura of Pitch. He sensed Pitch Black.

There had been no sign of the Boogeyman for a year, and yet here Jack was, sharp, sleepy, blue eyes narrowed as he scanned the perimeter around his lake. He saw nothing out of the ordinary, but his nerves still weren't quelled. He was the Guardian closest to Pitch's lair, which was something that Jack found more unfortunate than helpful. Several thoughts ran through his head, wondering what he was to do if he encountered Pitch on that oh too quiet night. The owls continued to hoot, and the Wind whistled around him. Jack sighed and cradled his staff to his chest, leaning against the tree, having a battle with his eyes as he fought to keep them open.

His nightmare problem had started a while ago, and how Jack managed to go on without sleep was something that not even he understood. The young Guardian found it onerous to close his eyes knowing that a nightmare laid waiting behind his eyelids. And as silly as it was, Jack knew that avoiding sleep wasn't going to solve his problems.

Then why am I sitting here awake…? wondered the winter spirit. He knew that what he was doing was ridiculous, but he had no other, faster solution to cure his sudden uproar in night terrors.

But perhaps he did.

The Guardians of Childhood, his newfound family. Nicholas St. North, Queen Toothiana, E. Aster Bunnymund, and Sanderson Mansnoozie. They were a peculiar group but were deeply caring and always willing to help. Jack had been a Guardian for only a year, and he was still adjusting to the new attention, his role as a Guardian, and being seen after going so long without. But he found himself slowly settling in amongst the group, and he did share a deep fondness for each of them, even though he never said so out loud. The Guardians had proven that they cared for him, despite his occasional doubts and worries. They had come to aid him without his request, gave him a home, and promised to protect him when he couldn't himself. It was something that Jack hadn't experienced for a long time, and was, frankly, thus far adjusting to. Being seen and heard, loved and cared for…And though he hadn't admitted so out loud, Jack loved that he wasn't alone anymore and knowing that he had people—friends, a family—to go to whenever he was hurt, sad, or distressed.

Or in need of comfort after a nightmare.

Sure. Just saunter right up to the Guardians and tell them that you're having nightmares and you're scared, the more sardonic side of Jack's mind said. What are you, a child?

Jack shifted where he sat, his white bangs hanging over his eyes underneath his hoodie. It wasn't that the winter spirit didn't trust the Guardians, although he was still grasping the credence concept when it came to them. He trusted the Guardians, if not entirely. He just didn't want to seem…He didn't want to feel…

Jack sighed; the situation seeming completely ridiculous in his mind. It shouldn't be too difficult, and yet here he was, struggling. All he had to do was walk up to the Guardians, concede that he was having nightmares, and perhaps request for a pouch of dreamsand to keep the tormenting dreams at bay.

But Jack couldn't bring himself to tell the Guardians. He knew that they already suspected that something was wrong; they could read him like a book, even though they had been acquainted recently. Asking for help was something that Jack struggled with. Being alone for 300 years meant that Jack only looked out for himself. When something went wrong, he had to solve it on his own, for no one was there to help him. As sad as it was, it was the only option for Jack in his solitude. If he didn't learn how to take care of himself, he never would've survived.

It was a habit now. One that was incredibly difficult to break. Now that he had the Guardians, Jack had easy access to help or assistance, but after going so long without, it was his predisposition to solve his troubles on his own. Slowly, he had been learning to ask for help when the situation was too much for him to handle, and he was still learning, which was why he sat there on his tree branch, musing about whether he should come clean to the already suspecting Guardians or not.

Jack didn't want to feel embarrassed. Childish. Inexperienced as if his 300 years alone meant nothing. He had seen all that was out there, braved the unknown, and carried the burdens that came with being the Spirit of Winter, but a handful of nightmares scared him? Jack shook his head. That didn't seem right.

Of course, Jack was well aware that he couldn't continue without sleep any longer. Even though he was an immortal, he still needed his rest, or he wouldn't be able to control his powers and fulfill his duties as both a Guardian and the embodiment of winter. Any longer without sleep Jack feared that he would crash and shut down. And perhaps be plagued by nightmares for the rest of his immortal life. It had been a long time since he had got a good amount of sleep, and the winter spirit could already feel his eyes beginning to droop. The lake before him began to blur and darken, and his head lolled forward. Quickly, Jack caught himself, and he slapped his face and his eyes bolted open. Though his cheek stung, Jack sighed longingly, yearning to go to sleep. But the fear of nightmares prevented him from doing so.

Jack let out a long, weary yawn that echoed across the quiet atmosphere of his lake. He felt even more exhausted afterward. Jack looked around his lake one last time for any sign of the Nightmare King and his ilk, but he saw no trace of him, which left the winter spirit rather irked. He knew that Pitch was up to something; he could sense it. He just didn't know what the dastardly man had up his sleeves, which frustrated Jack even further.

And I'm betting anything that Pitch has something to do with my nightmares, thought Jack as he retreated to the inside of his tree, sitting himself on his couch and letting out a soft sigh. Jack had had nightmares before, but these particular dreams were different. They were palpable, almost…real. And that frightened Jack.

Instead of nightmares of random, impossible things like most nightmares were, Jack's nightmares always centered on one of his hidden fears. He had dreamed about drowning after he had seen his memories, and he often dreamt about the Guardians turning their backs on him, like they had on that fateful Easter. Jack's nightmares always reflected one of his hidden fears, and his nightmares usually centered on one of them. But the more recent nightmares that he had been having took those fears and twisted them. Amplified them. Making it not only difficult to wake up, but difficult to fall back asleep.

Sometimes, Jack would find himself falling to his death or running away from something he couldn't see. Jack had been flying on the Wind for so long that the two shared an unshakeable bond. They trusted each other, and Jack never worried about falling. But there was that hidden fear of the Wind dropping him and not being able to catch him as he plummeted to the ground like a stone.

While Jack had battled many enemies—both visible and invisible—he was always able to escape them through flight if the fight became impossible for him to win. In his nightmares, however, he was pursued by something unseen. His staff was never in hand when he needed it most, and this caused Jack to do the one thing that he had done for many years: run. He could only run. But when he got close to the light, inches away from the bright, warm comforting light, his legs would slow down. He would become trapped. The Thing would rip him away, and Jack would wake up in a cold sweat.

And then there were the nightmares that Jack woke up in tears; he loathed those nightmares the most. The sight of wet, salty tears streaming down his face was something that Jack didn't want the Guardians to witness. And why those nightmares made him terrified enough to produce tears was because they were based on the one thing that Jack feared the most. Jack did fear falling, he feared not being able to fight back or protect himself. But what he feared the most, the hidden fear that Jack had made sure to conceal behind his mirthful facade was his fear of the past. He feared being alone again. He feared that he would drown just like he had before he had been resurrected by the Moon. He feared that he would find himself forsaken by the Guardians, and that everything that had happened in the past year was all but a dream created by the Sandman out of pity.

There was only one person who knew about one's greatest fears and that was Pitch Black. He had gloated so when Jack encountered him in his lair. Jack knew that it was Pitch toying with his head, but he didn't have the physical energy to confront him. The easier thing to do would be making the Guardians aware, but Jack didn't want to do that just yet. Not until he was sure that the Boogeyman was attempting to make his return. Perhaps he was simply giving Jack nightmares in an act of vengeance, and they'd go away soon enough.

But Jack knew that wasn't true. The winter spirit sat in his tree, and in a few minutes, the sun began to climb into the sky. Its golden rays reflected off of Jack's smooth, frozen lake, causing it to shimmer like a gem. The snow surrounding it sparkled brightly, almost as if it were alive, and warm sunbeams streamed through Jack's window, climbing up his face and bringing him the slight feeling of warmth. The sunrise was beautiful, but Jack couldn't bring himself to take pleasure in it. The winter spirit closed his eyes and sighed.

It had been officially four months since Jack had last slept.

…

Like all of his other mornings, Jack sluggishly walked out of his tree and yawned loudly. The winter spirit felt his energy draining out of him after every time he yawned, and he only grew even more exhausted when he was forced to do strenuous activity. Jack's movements were slow; he stumbled on his feet. His normally graceful composure was replaced by a lethargic, stiff pretense due to his lack of sleep. Jack rubbed his eyes, hoping that he'd find a solution to his nightmare predicament so he could rest without any trouble.

Just go and tell the Guardians! Jack mentally shouted at himself. He chewed his lower lip and raked a hand through his hair; it was the only true answer to his problem, and he knew it. Still…Jack felt inclined to solve this on his own. He didn't need any help. He had managed three centuries alone; he could handle his own nightmares, couldn't he?

Jack walked out onto his lake, wincing at the bright sunlight. It was a beautiful winter morning, but Jack couldn't enjoy it. He was tired. Sleepy. Groggy…He could barely keep himself standing up straight. The winter spirit leaned heavily on his staff, using it to support him in fear he would fall without it. Eventually, Jack flipped on his hoodie to block out the cheery rays of the sun, finding the cheery weather mocking his sour mood.

Jack wondered what he was going to do; he had fallen behind on his winter duties, and was going to hear an earful from Emily Jane, who disliked it when her fellow elementals slacked off. Jack frowned; it wasn't that he was purposefully not choosing to work. He was tired, and his nightmare predicament was preventing him from getting the sleep he needed. His winter magic acted on its own accord now; Jack didn't have great control over it like he normally did, and he didn't want to risk anybody getting hurt.

Being unable to properly control his powers wasn't the only issue Jack had. The sleepy spirit frowned; he hadn't seen Jamie, Sophie, or any of the other Burgess children in months. At first, he showed up regularly, but when his nightmares began, Jack's visits lessened and lessened until there were none at all. The children of Burgess had grown increasingly concerned for their winter friend when he had stopped showing up, and they had even ventured to Jack's lake to look for him and see if he was alright. The fact that Jamie and the rest of his friends cared about him deeply warmed Jack's heart, but he still hid from the kids whenever they dropped by to check on him. He watched them from the upper branches of a tree or concealed himself in a nearby cave that he used to use as a home. Jack didn't want the children to see him in such a terrible condition, and they eventually stopped coming to his lake, coming to realize that Jack perhaps didn't want to be found. Jack could still feel their belief in him, but the kiddos were probably worried sick about him by now…

At nightfall, Jack would fly to Jamie and Sophie's house. He was a Guardian of Childhood, so he made sure to check on his favorite believer and his little sister whenever he had the time. The white-haired spirit would perch himself outside of their window, keeping himself hidden enough so he wouldn't be seen. Sometimes, Jack wished that he could become invisible; it made sneaking about much easier.

Jack watched as Jamie's mother, Sascha, would tuck the two into bed, just like he had when he used to go unseen. He watched as Jamie and Sophie slept peacefully in their beds; the sounds of a calm winter's night lulling them to slumber. Jack's heart would soften at the sight of the sleeping siblings, but a deeper part of him envied them. They weren't suffering from constant nightmares. They didn't fear that a night terror laid right behind their eyes. They could sleep without any worry and wake up feeling refreshed and anew in the morning while Jack would be just as exhausted as he was the previous night.

Jack chastised himself for feeling jealous; he should be glad that Jamie and Sophie weren't going through any form of mental turmoil. Besides, he had an easy answer to his problem, and the only thing stopping him from doing it was himself. Jack growled and he slammed the butt of his staff against the lake, and his winter magic responded unintentionally. Pointy, jagged spikes of ice rose from the already frozen lake, making Jack's home look like a battlefield. The winter spirit's eyes widened in horror; he hadn't meant to do that!

With a quick wave of his staff, the dangerous spikes of ice were gone, returning the little lake to its original, peaceful appearance. The shards of ice were gone, but Jack was still upset. A frown decorated his pale face when he realized that his exhaustion was tampering with his winter magic. He needed to go see the Guardians. There was no excuse. If he didn't find a way to get rid of his nightmares, someone could end up getting hurt.

The Wind swirled around Jack, alerting him to a change in the atmosphere. Jack looked up and spotted the magical Northern Lights, weaving and dancing their way across the morning sky. Jack sighed; he didn't feel like attending a Guardian meeting (and it had been a while since he had), but if he missed it, the Guardians would grow even more suspicious. Perhaps they'd even send a search party to his lake, forcing him to tell them the truth.

"Take me to Santoff Claussen, Wind…" said Jack languidly. Taking pity on her old-time friend, the Wind responded and lifted her winter child into the sky. As gently as she could, she carried him all the way to the North Pole. Jack held his staff close and pulled his hood over his face.

Jack crashed three times during the flight.

…

Santoff Claussen was a place of wonder and light, which was one of the main reasons why Jack had spent many decades trying to break in. Not only was it the home to the army of yetis and mischievous elves who loved tinkering with anything, but Nicholas St. North himself. Santa Claus, as he went by the children around the world. North was the cheeriest person Jack had ever known, and he found it hard to believe that he had once been a bandit in his past life. The ex-Cossack was kind-hearted, and always looked for the good in everyone. He was creative, and his study was often filled with magical looking ice sculptures that he brought to life with magic that Jack wasn't able to see. But that made the sparkling creations even more enjoyable in his eyes.

Now that Jack was a Guardian, he often dropped by the North Pole to see what North was up to, or even help out in the Workshop if the Guardian of Wonder allowed him. North always welcomed Jack with open arms, and he was the first to give him a chance when he had suddenly been chosen as the next Guardian of Childhood. If North had never told him about Centers, Jack was sure that he never would have realized his true calling as the Guardian of Fun.

How Jack missed him over the past four months. As well as the other Guardians of Childhood.

When his nightmares had begun, Jack made sure to distance himself from the other Guardians. He didn't want their fussing and nor did he want their worry. They were already wrapped up in their own jobs, and he didn't want to pull them away from the work that they enjoyed doing. Jack was sure that the Guardians had more important things to do than stop and help him with a few silly nightmares. So when Jack spotted the glittering lights of the Palace of Wonder come into view, he made sure his hood was secured over his face to conceal his dark ringed eyes as well as make sure to put on the perfect facade to avoid raising any more suspicion.

Upon arriving at Santoff Claussen, Jack found that it hadn't changed much since he had last visited. The place still looked as jolly as ever with its Christmas lights and color, and everything and everyone there was active. A small smile tugged at Jack's lips at the sight of the wondrous place; he had missed it more than he realized.

The winter spirit had started to doze by the time he reached one of the many windows that circled the dome shaped roof of the main building. He accidentally crashed into it with a loud BANG, which snapped Jack out of his brief slumber. Unfortunately, he had dropped his staff when he had jerked awake, and the winter spirit cried out as he plummeted to the ground. Heart beating against his chest, Jack quickly fumbled for his staff until he gripped it in his pale fingers. The Wind rushed under him and instantly carried him away from the snow-covered ground and up to the window again, straightening him out. Jack looked to the side, where the window that was always open for him actually was. Jack groaned; he really hated being sleep-deprived.

Jack flew over to the correct window and dived inside, finding that the elves and yetis were, as usual, working in the famous Workshop. The yetis were the ones making the toys and doing the majority of the strenuous work while the elves "tested" them. A group of them had managed to get their hands on one of the remotes for a remote-control airplane, which zoomed past Jack when he entered. The winter spirit flew out of the way before he got hit.

Jack didn't stop and say hello to the creatures of Santoff Claussen like he normally did. Often, he'd recruit some of the elves and a few willing yetis to play a quick game of tag around the Workshop or snag some cookies from the kitchen to share. But Jack continued to fly by, and the yetis and elves stared, surprised to see the winter spirit after so long. Jack hadn't visited any of the Guardians in a long time, and it was even longer since they had seen him.

The Globe Room was alive with chatter when Jack finally arrived. He was the last to arrive, he discovered, but he didn't mind. Jack was much too tired to even try to arrive early.

North, Tooth, Sandy, and Bunny stood in a circle in the center of the room, laughing merrily at something Jack didn't hear. The winter spirit felt his chest warm at the sight of his friends, but he didn't bask in the feeling for too long. Even though he longed for their company, he knew that it would be best to keep his distance from them. They didn't need to know about his nightmares; they had more important things to worry about. Nightmares were the least of their worries.

A light gust of wind blew through the Globe Room, alerting the other Guardians to Jack's arrival. They greeted Jack with bright smiles on their faces, openly showing how happy they were to see him after so long. When Jack landed, North immediately walked up to the boy, and Jack prayed that he wouldn't crush him in one of his infamous hugs. Thankfully, North only patted the Guardian of Fun on the back and said, "Ah, Jack, moy mal'chik! It has been long time!"

Jack managed to crack a small smile. "It's good to see you too, North."

Tooth fluttered up to the two, her feathers shimmering radiantly, like a decorative headdress. Her round, amethyst eyes sparkled with mirth. "Oh, Jack, it's wonderful to see you again! Baby Tooth has been wondering where you've been."

Said fairy flew up to Jack's face, smiling brightly, but her expression changed into one of concern when she noticed the dark circles under Jack's eyes. His usual, bright blue eyes were shadowed and dull. Baby Tooth twittered something to Tooth, and she scrutinized Jack. The Guardian of Memories tilted her head, her feathers twitching.

"Jack, are you okay?" Tooth questioned. "You look tired."

Jack quickly stepped away from the three, hoping to conceal his exhaustion. The sudden movement didn't go unnoticed by the veteran Guardians. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied. "A little tired, but I'm fine."

The Guardians didn't seem convinced. Jack had been acting rather distant with them for the past few months. In fact, this was the first time they had seen him in a long time. Jack normally would stop by each of their places, offering to help them out or simply just to say hello. The Guardians had grown used to Jack's usual coming and goings, and they all looked forward to them. So when Jack's visits began to dwindle short, concern had begun to hover over the Guardians. They didn't know what was wrong with him, and they wished that he'd be more open with them, but Jack stubbornly refused to admit when he was having trouble or in need of help, just like he was right now.

Tooth hovered forward. "Are you sure, Jack? We haven't seen you in a while," she said, nothing but worry and concern for the winter spirit intertwined in her voice. Jack almost felt compelled to tell the Guardians the truth. "Have you been taking on too much again?"

Jack shook his head, and he pulled hood over his face, further concealing his grim look.

"Well, if the bugger says he's fine, then we might as well get on with the meetin'," said Bunny, sending a quick glance in Jack's direction. The winter spirit didn't know if the Pooka was really concerned for him or not; it was hard to tell with Bunnymund, who always acted tough. But he was glad that Bunny had intervened, whether it was intentional or not.

North brought the meeting to a start, and each of the Guardians took a seat in one of the chairs that were set up. Jack picked the armchair that was furthest from the Guardians. He thanked Manny that there was seating available…He could barely stand.

The meeting went on like normal. Each of the Guardians gave a brief report on their jobs and if they had seen any sign of Pitch in the past few weeks. Occasionally, they would send worried glances in Jack's direction, and the winter spirit did his best to ignore them. He knew that they were only concerned for him and desperately wanted to help, but Jack didn't want the Guardians' assistance. And he was convinced that he didn't need it either.

Jack's head hung low and his hood covered his face, casting a shadow over his dulled eyes. The winter spirit absentmindedly fiddled with his hoodie strings, feeling on edge.

Eventually, Jack's eyes grew heavy, and the gentle flickering of the fireplace was beginning to lull him into the slumber he oh so desperately wanted to fall into. Jack grunted quietly, and he shook his head. He looked up, seeing that the Guardians were wrapped up in their conversation and weren't looking his way.

Jack willed himself not to fall asleep. He couldn't fall asleep. If he did, he'd sink right into a nightmare and possibly expose himself to the rest of the Guardians…But sleep was becoming impossible to resist, and Jack couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. Without his permission, Jack's eyes slipped shut. HIs head lolled to the side as he drifted off into a far from restful slumber.

…

"J…ck…"

"…ack…"

"Jack!"

The winter spirit's eyes snapped open. He was surprised to find that he felt well-rested and hearty, as if he hadn't been having nightmares for the past few months. He felt like he could do anything. Jump on the walls, do loop-de-loops on the Wind, race Bunny through the tunnels beneath the earth, and even accompany Tooth on her tooth collecting rounds. Jack yawned, stretching his stiff limbs. He looked around and discovered that he was still sitting in his chair in the Globe Room, and the cheery flame in the fireplace had dwindled to ashes. The Guardians stood over him, disapproving looks on their faces. Their shadows over him seemed darker and longer than normal.

Jack chided himself for falling asleep; it was probably his turn to give a report, and he had completely dozed off! Jack looked up, an awkward grin decorating his features. "Hey, guys. S-Sorry about falling asleep…I guess I was more exhausted than I thought."

The Guardians didn't respond. Jack felt his unease grow, but he continued regardless.

"So…" the winter spirit fiddled with his staff. He looked up at the Guardians. "I'm guessing it's my turn to give the report, huh?"

Silence followed. The Guardians' hard stares were beginning to grow extremely uncomfortable. Jack's playful demeanor faltered, and his eyes flickered worriedly.

"Guys…?" called Jack. "What's going—"

"He has to go," Bunny growled. Jack felt like he had been punched in the gut. He blinked and decided to try and laugh the statement off. Surely Bunny didn't mean what he had said, had he?

"What?" Jack said, forcing a laugh. "I mean…yeah, I got to go to sleep, but we have a meeting to get on with, don't we?"

Tooth shook her head. "He's irresponsible and reckless. He can hardly take care of himself…How can he take care of the children?"

Sandy nodded profoundly, creating the image of a snowflake, and an x cutting over it.

Jack had the feeling that the Guardians weren't joking. The atmosphere grew darker, and the winter spirit felt like something more sinister was going on. Jack shook his head, and he stood up.

"No, no…You guys remember. The Man in the Moon chose me!" Jack exclaimed. He turned to North. "What about all that talk about Center? You were there when I discovered it!"

North laughed dryly. "That was what you call sweet talk, moy mal'chik," he spat. The nickname that Jack had grown so fond of sounded insulting when North said it with that tone.

"We needed you to defeat Pitch," said Tooth, her expression stony. "And now that he's taken care of…." She folded her hands in front of herself, a shrug raising her shoulders. "You aren't useful to us anymore."

Jack was shocked. "But…but you guys said…"

"We said what?" asked Bunny sharply.

Jack sucked in a breath, his grip on his staff tightening. He bowed his head, eyes stinging. "You…you said that you'd always be there for me…That I wasn't alone anymore…" Jack clutched his staff even tighter, and he jerked his head up to face the unbothered Guardians. His expression was angered, but his eyes were hurt. "But I'm guessing that was just sweet talk too, wasn't it?"

"Glad you finally understand," said Bunny nonchalantly. He twirled one of his boomerangs in his paw, eyes still locked on Jack. "This'll make things a lot easier."

Jack took a step back. "W-What are you saying…?" he asked.

"That you are no longer a Guardian," North hissed. Jack's eyes widened, and suddenly, he was being dragged out of the North Pole. North yanked at his hair, roughly pulling him towards the doors despite the cries of protest and pain that Jack gave. Tooth, Bunny, and Sandy followed emotionlessly, looks of dark amusement on their faces as they watched Jack scream and shout to be let go. The yetis and elves, the creatures that Jack had managed to make friends with, stared at him without any form of sentiment. Even Dingle and his gang glared at him.

Jack struggled, kicked, and bucked. "Please, North, please! Just let me go!" the winter spirit begged. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "I-I am a Guardian! I really am…ow, OW!"

Jack let out a shocked cry when he was shoved out the ornate doors of Santoff Claussen. His staff flew out of his grip, and the winter spirit tumbled into the snow. Jack looked up, staring at the Guardians in complete shock. They glowered at him one last time before slamming the door shut in front of him, taking all of the warmth, mirth, and joy with them. Jack was frozen, but it wasn't long until he stumbled out of the snow and ran up to the door, beating his fists against it desperately.

"G-Guys? Guys! What did I do wrong?! P-Please let me in! This isn't funny!" cried Jack. He threw himself against the large doors until his shoulders hurt from impact. They were locked tight. No one was coming for him. The Guardians had shut him out. Jack could feel the cold gnawing at him. Claws of frigidness tore at his bare toes and fingers. The Wind howled hauntingly. The snow ripped around him. Ice and hail whipped through the air cutting Jack's unprotected skin. The winter spirit wavered and he sank to his knees, slumping against the door. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he weakly knocked at the door one last time.

No one came to let him in.

"Please…please, this can't be happening," whispered Jack morosely. "Not after everything!"

Shadows of black began to crawl toward Jack's shivering form. He didn't move when they grabbed at his frozen feet and dragged him violently toward a deep, black hole where ominous laughter echoed. Jack briefly recognized the cruel cackling, but he didn't lie on the thought. His world had been destroyed, and he couldn't find the will to put up a fight as the black tentacles yanked him to the bottom of the endless pit.

…

"...J..ack…"

"J…ck…?"

"Jack, wake up!"

Jack snapped awake, a strained cry escaping his lips as he suddenly found himself not surrounded by terrible, foreboding darkness but by the deeply worried faces of the Guardians. He was back in the Globe room, slumped in his chair. The fire had dimmed, and everyone surrounded him. Even some of the yetis and elves stood nearby.

The Guardian of Fun looked around in disbelief, his breaths quick and short. He tried his best to calm himself down, but that was difficult. Just like every time he awoke from a nightmare.

D-Darn it…I fell asleep and had a nightmare in front of the Guardians… Jack gulped, and he looked up. Tooth fluttered forward and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Jack didn't take any solace in the touch.

"Jack, what's wrong, Sweet Tooth?" inquired Tooth softly. Jack chewed his lower lip and looked away, gripping his staff tightly.

"Nothing's wrong," he answered emotionlessly.

Bunny scoffed, which tugged Jack's attention. "Sure, nothin's wrong. Ya thrashin' and cryin' in yer sleep totally tells us that nothin's wrong."

Jack blinked slowly, and he lifted a hand to his cheek. Sure enough, it was soaked with tears. Jack scowled and he furiously wiped them away. Embarrassment and anger boiled within him. Stupid nightmares, stupid tears, stupid, stupid, stupid…

"Jack, we want to help," North said gently. "But we can't do that if—"

"Nothing's wrong, okay?!" shouted Jack. The Guardians were taken aback. Jack was rather surprised himself, even though the outburst had come from him. He hadn't meant to yell at the Guardians, but he was tired. Tired of the nightmares. Tired of being scared. Tired of the constant turmoil that he went through whenever he tried to sleep. Jack had been holding back his emotions for too long, and he felt like he'd be like this forever.

In a blink of an eye, Jack stood up from his chair, grabbed his staff, and jerked it through the air to call on the Wind. Like always, his old-time friend responded to his plea, and Jack flew out of the Globe Room and away from Santoff Claussen, ignoring the Guardians calling for him. Jack kept on flying, and as he did, he wondered if he'd ever be the same again. Would his nightmares last forever? Why were they so real? Would he—should he—tell the Guardians?

Was Pitch really behind all of this? And if so…could he possibly be making his return?

That last question was enough to make Jack feeling even more worried than he had been before. Jack rubbed his eyes to wash out the sleepiness that threatened to take him over, and the winter spirit frowned as Santoff Claussen faded into the snowy mist behind him. As he flew on, Jack asked himself the question that he had been asking for four months. One that hoped he'd find the answer to.

What's wrong with me?

Author's Note: Moy mal'chik means my boy in Russian. =)

Aw, poor Jackie. =( Hopefully he's able to find out what's going on and get some sleep soon...but I think we all know who's behind those bloody nightmares, am I right? X)

And that's the first chapter! =D Slow, I know, but the action will start picking up soon. =) Thank you guys so much for reading, and I'll see ya in the next chapter! *Waves happily*

Until the next chapter!

~BeyondTheMoon1203