Summary:

Things take an unexpected turn, and not for the better.

Jack curled up on his side, tears pricking out of the corner of his eyes. Another wave of pain split through his body, and the spirit let out a small scream. His head was pounding, his skin felt like it was on fire and blackness was creeping up his vision. He just wanted it to end, but as the thought passed his mind another strike of pain shot across his entire body, making him claw the sides of the sofa and his back arch. A loud buzzing filled his ears, and he felt himself drifting into darkness once more, hearing a voice whisper close to his ear.

"You thought I'd let this happen?"

—

Bunny dropped the water at the first scream, the glass shattering at his feet. Jumping into action, the Pooka dashed out of the kitchen and to the living room, where Jack lay.

"Jack! Wha-" his cry died in his throat as he saw the younger on the sofa, apparently asleep. It didn't look like he was in pain or scared in the slightest – in fact, he had a small smile dancing on the corner of his mouth.

"Jack?" Bunny asked, creeping closer. Jack woke surprisingly quickly, rubbing his eyes. He sat up, looking around.

"What?" The spirit questioned. His eyes were looking past Bunny, locked onto the large window behind him.

"Did ya here tha'?" The Pooka asked, scanning Jack up and down. Jack shrugged.

"Hear what?"

"Tha'…" How had Jack not heard it? Bunny was fairly certain he wasn't imagining it. Looking at the spirit in confusion, he spat out the words. "Tha' scream."

Jack's eyes suddenly met his, and he shivered. The light blue eyes were much darker, and colder…

The moment ended, and Jack had copied Bunny's confused expression.

"No…I was asleep…" he muttered, looking at the window again. Bunny was surprised at his lack of concern. The Pooka turned to the window and found nothing there.

Suddenly, a sharp, icy pain him him square in the chest. He slammed against the wall opposite, skidding across the floor. Black spots invaded his vision, and he struggled to his feet, feeling his chest.

"Wha?" He muttered. All over his fur was glowing frost that was slowly digging into his skin. Snapping his head up, he saw that Jack was standing upright, his staff extended. His face wore no expression, and there was no sign that he was sick or in pain.

"Jack?!" Bunny uttered. "Why?" Jack didn't react and stride confidently to the window, flipping open the latch. As the spirit passed Bunny, he saw that sweat was dripping down his brow, and his cheeks were flushed unhealthily. When he stopped to open the window, his legs shook in fatigue. Something wasn't right.

Bunny scented the air carefully, wincing as frost cut into his skin. The rancid smell of death was back in the air, surrounding the spirit.

Quickly, Bunny grabbed his boomerang, staring at the shell of Jack Frost. With expert aim, he threw it into the air and it hit Jack on the head.

Instead of crumpling to the ground, Jack span around, his face void of emotion. Bunny stumbled to his feet, glaring daggers at the imposter.

"Pitch. Get outta him. Now." Bunny growled. A trickle of blood ran down Jack's forehead and dripped onto the floorboards.

Jack stayed expressionless, lifting up his arm robotically, pointing his staff at Bunny's heart. Bunny's eyes widened and he leapt out of the way as another blast of ice was shot at him, freezing the tips of his fur. Swinging around, the Pooka kicked Jack's legs, making him stumble. In those vital seconds he pounced on top of the spirit, pinning him down on the floor. He could feel any fever radiating from Jack's body, and tried to think how he could stop the spirit from being controlled.

"Sandy!" Bunny yelled, turning his head towards the doorway. "North! Tooth! Quick!" Jack suddenly scratched the Pooka across the face with an icicle, then stabbed him in the arm. Bunny yelled and the spirit scrambled out from under his weight, smacking him around the head with his staff. This time the older guardian fell to the ground, breathless. Blood steadily leaked down his hand and looked underneath him, dampening his fur. It was strange, Bunny thought, how he used to want to battle Jack Frost as Jack Frost; now, when Jack wasn't himself, Bunny refused to lay another finger on him.

A foot made contact with his face, bringing Bunny out of his thoughts. Groaning, Bunny turned around and readied himself for the next attack, struggling to his feet. Jack stood opposite him, standing straight but trembling in exhaustion.

"Come on Jack…" The Pooka muttered as Jack's staff began to glow a light blue. "Do somethin'"

Either Jack couldn't hear Bunny or he couldn't free himself, because Jack held his staff upwards. Bunny's muscles tensed, ready to leap.

"Bunny? Jack?" Tooth's voice rang out from the other side of the room. Both guardians paused in their stances, looking at the source of the noise. Bunny was relieved to find that North, Tooth and Sandy were standing at the door, breathless.

"What iz going on?" North asked, gripping his swords. Sandy's eyes darted between the two, taking in Jack's expressionless look and cold eyes. Silently, he formed a dream ball in his hand.

"'Bout bloody time!" Bunny yelled But was cut short when Jack brung his staff down to the earth. The wood connected with flesh, and a loud, ear splitting crack cut through the room, followed by a blast of cold wind. Bunny fell limp, and did not move again.

"Jack! What?!" Tooth shrieked, but Jack didn't wait for her reaction. He stepped across the room mechanically, leaping onto the windowsill. Sandy noticed the trembles of his limbs, and the blood running steadily down his brow. Something foreign reflected deep into the spirit's eyes, a darkness that the sandman knew too well. As Tooth fluttered across the room next to the still form of Bunny, he and North glanced at each other; in that quick exchange, Sandy knew North had seen the same as he had. This wasn't Jack.

As one, he and North charged forward as Jack slipped out of the window. Sandy drew a dream-whip and caught Jack by the ankle, pulling him back into the room. North stood in front of Bunny and Tooth, drawing his swords.

Sandy bound Jack in the golden rope, holding him through the air. Jack struggled in the grasp, but was unable to free himself, having dropped his staff a few metres away.

A groan sounded behind him, followed by a moan of pain, and Tooth's worried voice drifted over to him.

"Bunny – you're hurt. Please."

"Tha'…tha' ain't Jack."

Risking a look over his shoulder, Sandy saw that Bunny was leaning against Tooth, panting. Blood and frost soaked his fur, and his eyes were glazed over in pain.

"It…it took him…" Bunny's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he slumped against Tooth, unconscious.

Sandy turned back to Jack, who was now still in the ropes having given up. Furiously, the sandman sent a beam of light through the vines, the message clear.

Leave Jack alone. You have lost.

A low, rasping voice replied to his warning, lined with venom.

"For now, yes…but the boy is weak, and is growing weaker each second. He will be mine soon enough."

Jack suddenly let out a rasping breath, coughing violently. Sandy slowly let released him to the ground, where he curled in on himself, chest heaving.

North moved to Jack before Sandy could, getting down onto his knees.

"Jack?" He asked, touching his shoulder. Jack didn't answer, but gagged, clutching his stomach. North noticed the signs immediately and could only rub his back supportingly as the spirit threw up, his entire body shaking.

Sandy's eyes widened at the sight of what looked like black tar getting thrown up from Jack's insides, seemingly never-ending. Even from where he was standing, the nightmare energy made him stumble back a few steps. North's shocked expression mirrored his, and the Cossack caught Jack as he fell unconscious, swearing and shaking.

"How long has he got left?" North asked, catching sight of the sandman's grim expression. Sandy shook his head, trying to look anywhere but at Jack.

"We may already be too late." He signed. "He is past saving now."

Please review! And any requests are welcome.

Bye!