Author's Note: Guess who's back? =D

Hey guys and welcome back to "Dream On!" =D Ah, it feels so good to be back after not posting for a while...I was dying to get back to this fanfiction the entire time I was on my trip. X)

Anyway, you guys are probably wondering what in the world happens next after chapter one, and I think I've kept you guys waiting long enough. X) I hope you all enjoy chapter two of "Dream On!" =D

Chapter Two: Suspicions are Raised

The Guardians were on to him, he knew, but he couldn't bring himself to tell them the truth.

After his sudden outburst back at the North Pole, Jack felt even more debilitated. A part of him felt guilty for snapping at the Guardians like he had, but the winter spirit had a lot on his mind, far too much for him to handle. He needed to escape to a place where he could allow his head to rest and wander, but heading to his lake wasn't a good idea, for the Guardians were probably scouring the planet for him right now. At that thought, something sparked inside of Jack's chest. The Guardians were looking for him…they cared enough to actually search for him when he had stormed off. The feeling was ephemeral, and Jack soon returned to his darkened, moody state.

Jack rubbed his eyes and veered off from the course to Burgess. Meeting up with the Guardians was the last thing he wanted to do, so he told the Wind to carry him wherever until nightfall. The winter teen wandered the Earth for hours with no particular destination in mind. He passed over cities, hills, valleys, and mountains. During his 300 years alone, he had visited every place. He knew each location that he passed over, but he didn't stop to explore. He had to stay on the move if he wanted to make it harder for the Guardians to detect him. Perhaps if he stayed unseen long enough, they would cease their search for him and return to their work.

When he felt that it was about nightfall in Burgess, Jack waved his staff and guided his gale back to his hometown. The night was peaceful and quiet, and the bowl-shaped moon hung in the air. Its light guided Jack all the way to his lake, which was still and undisturbed. The ice was frozen and sparkling in the moonlight, and the woodland creatures that surrounded it skittered through the bushes and trees. Jack had grown used to the rustling of the leaves or the creaking that the branches would make when a squirrel patterned across it. These sounds were found to make most people uncomfortable, but to Jack, they made him feel more at home.

The atmosphere was tranquil…calm enough to put one asleep if they laid in the silence long enough. It was the perfect time to sleep, Jack thought, but he quickly shoved the idea out of his head. No. He couldn't fall asleep—he wouldn't fall asleep. Not here, not now. Not anytime soon.

Then when will I? Jack thought to himself as he skidded across his frozen lake. The Wind gently lowered him onto his favorite tree branch and ruffled his hair before leaving a cool breeze in the air. Jack smiled softly, feeling a bit comforted by the Wind's gentle touch, and he steered his sleepy blue eyes to the view of his lake like he had the previous night. He leaned back against the bark of his tree, allowing his staff to rest on his chest as he admired the serene view. Slowly, a wistful smile crawled onto Jack's face as he remembered the many times that he and his sister would venture out to sit by the lake to watch the sun rise and set. How glad he was to finally be able to recall memories from his human life.

But as he went through his favorite, most golden memories that he shared with his sister by the lake, an unwanted, darkening image stirred up in Jack's mind. The memories had awakened an old nightmare that he had had the previous month…The awful, horrible phantasm of his sister falling through the ice instead of him. The images appeared so suddenly, and Jack tried to stop them from flashing through his mind, but he couldn't. Vividly, the nightmare replayed in his head, but Jack forced it out.

No, no, no!

Jack shook his head furiously, pulling away from the hold that the memory of his previous nightmare had on him. He didn't want to revisit it, and nor did he want to repeat it. That nightmare had been one of the ones he had woken up from in tears. Sighing heavily, Jack craned his neck upward to gaze at the Moon, which was bright and full as it usually was. Jack wasn't alleviated.

Did the Man in the Moon know something about his constant nightmares? He appeared to have immense power, and the ability to know when something sinister was about to happen. Even though MiM had given everything that Jack wanted, he still resented the man that lived on the Moon. For 300 years—300 years—he was silent, only giving Jack his name and nothing else. He didn't tell him how to use his powers. He didn't tell him where to start after rising from the lake. He didn't guide him, tell him his purpose that he discovered centuries later. Manny could have made things easier for Jack. He could've enlightened him, told him. Why, even a note on his staff with instructions would've been swell! But the Man in the Moon had stayed silent. Quiet. Completely inert until he and the Guardians suddenly needed him to defeat Pitch.

Manny hadn't spoken a word since then, and Jack hated how he always used the "solve it yourself" ordeal when it came to instructing the Guardians. He had warned them about Pitch, but he didn't tell them what they should do. He didn't speak to Jack, asking if he was okay with being thrown into the world of the Guardians. He had been forced into his position in a way, and while he accepted it in the end, Jack couldn't help but wish that he had been offered all of…this much sooner.

Jack didn't consider his life a great one. It was improving, yes, but he had been alone for most of it. He had no friends, no one to care for him, and the only one who could help him at the time would even speak to him. Jack scowled at the Moon above, knowing that MiM had to at least know something about what Pitch was up to. He did when the Nightmare King was about to unleash ultimate darkness to the children, hadn't he? So far, the old man had been silent, which sorely miffed Jack. How was the great Man in the Moon supposed to be the leader of the Guardians when he hardly said anything at all and barely did anything to help?

In his peripheral vision, Jack saw golden streams of light inching their way across the sky They laced and swirled through the sky like luminous silk, stretching elegantly across the sky. Sandy was right on time delivering his dreams, and Jack watched as the threaded strands of dreamsand floated through the air, casting a comforting, golden glow that hovered over Burgess.

Normally, Jack would've flown up to wherever Sandy had set up his dreamcloud and say hello, and the two would've chatted with each other until Sandy had to depart for the next town. Jack enjoyed the Sandman's visits just as much as Sandy enjoyed his. Sometimes, if the Guardian of Dreams had enough time to, he and Jack would race through the streets of Burgess. Most of the time, Jack was the winner, although Sandy was catching up with his sand-made airplane.

Though he longed to meet up with Sandy, Jack stayed put on his tree branch, features shadowed by his blue hood. After what happened in the Globe Room, he didn't think that any of the Guardians would want to see him. And he, frankly, didn't want to see them…

But a small part of him—a tiny, almost unnoticeable part of him—yearned for the Guardians' company and their comfort. North always knew how to make him laugh. Tooth, who was always doting upon everyone. Sandy, who was quiet, but perhaps the wisest of the group. Even though he couldn't say much, he knew how to placate Jack. Bunnymund, the tougher one of the group, wasn't the best at what one would call comforting, but even his presence was enough to ease Jack, knowing that at least one of his friends was nearby.

He knew that they could help him, and he knew that they would, but Jack was adamant that he could deal with this on his own. Besides, he didn't want to pull the Guardians away from their work, and the winter spirit had dealt with much worse than nightmares in the past…

Jack was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Sandy's dreamcloud hovering toward his pond. When he looked up and spotted the Sandman in the distance, Jack frantically looked around for a place to hide. Acting quickly, Jack grabbed his staff and dived into his tree, coating the entrance with a thick layer of ice to ensure that Sandy wouldn't attempt to get in. Jack didn't want Sandy to find him in such a horrible state.

Jack sighed, and he turned around to sit on his couch when he found Sandy—who he could've sworn was just outside—sitting there before him! Surprised, Jack gasped and clutched his chest; he hadn't been expecting the little man to appear so suddenly. In fact…

"How did you get in here?" inquired Jack. Sandy smirked and he created the image of a magician's wand and hat over his head and tapped his sleeve. Jack comprehended immediately. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Jack shook his head and chuckled lightly. "Remind me to never mess with you…" he said. The winter spirit walked over to the couch and sat beside Sandy, who scooched over to make room for him. Once Jack was settled, the two sat in silence for a while. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't comfortable either, so Jack decided to say something that he had been wanting to tell at least one of the Guardians since that morning.

"Sandy…" The Sandman looked up, eyes attentive. "I'm…I'm sorry about what happened this morning," Jack apologized. "I don't know what came over me…I was really tired and a lot's been going on, but I shouldn't have snapped at you guys.

Sandy nodded understandingly and produced a question mark. "What's wrong?"

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. Here he was sitting next to the Guardian of Dreams who had the power to conquer any nightmare. Jack could easily ask Sandy for a pouch of dreamsand, or perhaps even request for him to aid him in ending his nightmares, and the Sandman would gladly oblige. But Jack couldn't bring himself to ask.

"I've…just been having trouble sleeping lately," said Jack after a few moments. It was partially true, but it wasn't the whole truth.

Dreamsand coiled over Sandy's head in the form of a clock; its hands turned round and round. Next to the time-telling device appeared a question mark. "For how long?"

"Um…a while," lied Jack, evading the real answer. He knew for a fact that Sandy would call the other Guardians if he told him that he hadn't slept properly in the past four months.

And Sandy did appear to be suspicious, but he didn't prod Jack any further. He knew that the winter spirit had his limits, and when he was ready, he would tell him and the other Guardians what was really wrong. Sandy laid a golden hand on Jack's pale one, and he squeezed it reassuringly. Jack squeezed it back. Though no words were said, Jack knew that Sandy was telling him that he was there to talk, and that whatever he was going through, he wasn't alone.

"Well…you should probably get going," said Jack, even though he wanted Sandy to stay. He cracked a lopsided grin. "A lot of kiddos out there need their dreams."

Sandy smiled and nodded. He stood up from the couch and waved to Jack and floated towards the door. But before he left, the golden little man turned around just in time to see Jack climbing into bed. The winter spirit stared outside the window that sat right next to his bed, a distant expression on his face. Sandy hovered back over to him; a ball of dreamsand materializing into his hand. Upon hearing the sparkling grains of golden sand, Jack looked up. Sandy hovered before him, a question mark forming over his head as he pointed at the glittering dremsand in his hand.

Now, Jack hadn't been planning on sleeping. He was going to spend the night like he did nowadays: staying up in fear of having another nightmare if he closed his eyes. But the winter spirit couldn't say no now, and the dreamsand would keep the nightmares away, right? It had been a long time since Jack had gotten a good night's rest. And while one night wouldn't be enough to restore him to his normal self, it was better than no sleep at all.

Slowly, Jack nodded. "I guess I'll take a dose of dreamsand," he said. Sandy smiled and Jack laid down, cradling his staff against his chest. Sandy brushed his dreamsand across Jack's forehead, and it immediately took effect. Jack yawned, his eyes slipped closed, and he soon found himself basking in dreamsand bliss.

But that blissfulness ended short, for a nightmare took hold of his mind before the good dream could even begin.

…

It was just him and the Wind, and he was having the time of his life.

Jack laughed with glee as he soared above the clouds. The Wind rushed past him, kissing his cheeks and ruffling his hair. The winter spirit never felt freer when he flew with the Wind. And the Wind felt the same, so she pushed Jack further into the white, full clouds, carrying him through the radiant blue sky. The sun was shimmering brightly, but the Wind and Jack were in a place where it was cold despite the rays of sunlight.

Jack whooped with happiness, his chest bursting with joy as he flipped and spun. Twirled and looped on the Wind's exhilarating gales through the air. She whistled happily, and snowflakes twirled behind Jack as he flew on.

"Faster, Wind! Faster!" Jack shouted mirthfully. The Wind gladly complied, and she rocketed her winter child through the air, sending him in and out of the clouds that surrounded them. Jack's grin was so wide, that his cheeks began to hurt. He was having so much fun, and he couldn't remember the last time he had felt this elated. This free. He had no worries about the constant nightmares that had been plaguing him. No fears plagued him as he continued to fly. All the troubles, worries, and concerns had disappeared, and they were nothing but a distant feeling in the back of Jack's mind. He didn't want this airy feeling to end.

I could stay up here forever, thought Jack as the Wind carried him through the clouds. Quickly did his thoughts change when the sky suddenly darkened. Clouds billowed together, blending and colliding into each other like thick dust. Rain began to fall down from the cumulonimbus, and what started as a light drizzle soon turned into a full-on downpour. Water pelted down on Jack, and the winter spirit gasped when a crack of lightning lit up the air. Deafening thunder boomed overhead. Jack gripped his staff tightly. Oh, how he hated thunderstorms. And being caught in the midst of one was even worse.

Jack directed the Wind toward the ground, but the rain was so thick, that he couldn't see where he was. Raindrops blurred his vision and got into his eyes. Jack constantly had to lift up his sleeve to wipe them out. The action was futile, though. More water would fall into Jack's eyes right after he washed it out.

Was he headed in the right direction? Jack didn't know, and this scared him even more as even more lighting painted the sky. He had completely lost this sense of direction, and the area around him was unfamiliar to him. They were nowhere near Burgess, and shelter perhaps was miles away…But Jack couldn't wait, and he needed to get out of the storm now. It was dangerous enough flying through it.

Jagged, lit spikes of light neared closer and closer to the winter spirit. Jack gripped his staff even tighter.

"Wind? Mind getting us out of here?" asked Jack. But the Wind didn't give a response. There wasn't a whistle, a hoot, or any sound that told Jack that Wind had heard him. Jack was on his own. He was alone. Fear bubbled inside of the winter spirit like boiling water. His trepidation clouded his train of thought, so he didn't notice the lightning bolt that was coming his way. A pure, burning hot flash of light-struck Jack. He screamed as heat hotter than the sun coursed through his body. Jack's staff slipped out of his fingers, and he began to plummet to the earth below.

Frantically, Jack grabbed and fumbled for his conduit, but once he got a hold of it, the Wind didn't pick him up. Panic took Jack over as the ground drew nearer and nearer. His skin burned and ached with pain, and at the rate he was falling, Jack knew that he'd be beyond injured once he made impact with the ground. Clutching his staff in both hands and pulling it to his chest, Jack called, screamed, shouted internally for the Wind to catch him. Why wasn't she answering him?

Black, dirty ground came into his line of vision. From the dirt sprouted bushes and bushes of sharp, pointed thorns. Jack's sapphire blue eyes widened, and he squeezed his staff tightly, screaming with whatever magical energy he had left for the Wind to pick him up and carry him to safety.

But the Wind didn't respond.

Jack squeezed his eyes shut as the ground came nearer. Fleetingly, he wished that he could fall unconscious so he wouldn't have to feel the immense pain that was about to come, but he couldn't. Jack hit the ground. Long, sharp thorns tore and ripped at his unprotected skin and hoodie. Jack cried out as he landed on his back. A sickening crack echoed through his ears.

Jack's ears rang and his vision was blurry as he slowly sat up. He swallowed back a whimper when an unbearable amount of pain flashed down his spine. Rain continued to pour down from the clouds. The Wind was still unresponsive. Jack was in the middle of nowhere, completely unfamiliar with the area around him.

How was he going to get home?

Low growls interrupted his thoughts. Jack felt his fear spike as he looked around, spotting shifting figures in the shadows. From the dark burst wolves. Big, furry wolves that were blacker than night. Their eyes were a pure, malevolent amber, and their teeth glistened just as bright as the lightning above. They circled around Jack, their newly found prey. The winter spirit shakily got to his feet and held out his staff, but his powers wouldn't act.

Jack looked up. "Wind? Wind, please! I need help!" he yelled. Jack sensed her. He knew that the Wind was there, but she left him alone. She didn't come to his aid.

The wolves bared their teeth and lunged at Jack, and he screamed as they ruthlessly tore into his flesh.

…

Jack woke up in a cold sweat, a gasp escaping his lips as if he had come up from underwater. The winter spirit looked around wildly, thankful that Sandy was long gone. Jack glanced out his window, discovering that it was nowhere near morning. Perhaps a few hours after midnight. Jack frowned and he leaned his head back, closing his eyes when the horrific scenes from his nightmare flashed through his mind. Jack quickly snapped his eyes back open, grunting as he kicked his blankets off and sat on the side of his bed. He rubbed his forehead in exhaustion. What was he going to do? These nightmares were really affecting his sleep, and they didn't seem like they would disappear on their own. Jack hated to admit that he was scared, but he was, and he wanted his nightmares to go away to stop his fear from plaguing him. He needed help. He needed the Guardians.

Something glistened on Jack's pillow. It sparkled ominously in the moonlight, and Jack eyed the gritty substance curiously. He brushed his fingers against the tiny grains, and they stuck to Jack's fingertips. His fingers were naturally cold, but when he touched this mysterious grit, they grew even colder, and they made him feel uncomfortable. On edge. Apprehensive.

Jack frowned when he came to realize what this substance was, and his scowl deepened when the person who created it came to mind.

Nightmare sand. And there was only one person out there who used it to terrorize the minds of children. He had used it against the Guardians during the long, three-day battle, which to this day was the biggest challenge that the Guardians had ever faced.

"Pitch," Jack growled.

Author's Note: *Dramatic gasp* PITCH?! OH MY MOON I HAD NO IDEA-

Okay, yeah I did. X) Whenever a nightmare related issue arises, all suspicion goes to him first. =P

I hope you guys enjoyed this second chapter, and I'll see ya in the next one! =D

Until the next chapter!

~BeyondTheMoon1203