I have to make a correction. Last chapter, I used the name "Mary Katherine", rather than just Katherine. I was mixing up my William Joyce characters. For those who don't know, Mary Katherine is the main character in Epic, named for Mr. Joyce's late daughter.
Among The Stars
Chapter 7
The control room was already full when he reached it, dressed simply in jeans and his hoodie, Baby Tooth hovering nearby, his staff propped against his shoulder. He hadn't realized how much he missed that weight.
Everyone glanced up at him as he came in.
"Took ya long enough," Bunnymund muttered.
Jack rolled his eyes while Toothiana lightly chastened the Pooka.
"Eh, he wouldn't be Bunny if he didn't give me a hard time," Jack shrugged, walking over to the screens the others were returning their attention to. In one of them he saw clearly the shape of an Imperial Carrier, several fighters already buzzing around it like flies around a dead carcass.
"How did they get here?" Toothiana asked. Her cerise darted between her companions, worry etched on her face. "We're not even on their star charts. We shouldn't be."
"We're not," Jack said, in an attempt to reassure her. "I've been checking regularly." Though it didn't change the fact there was an Imperial Carrier on their doorstep.
"They how are they here?" Bunnymund asked.
Jack leaned closer to the screen, examining the details. There, on one side, the identification number was written in stark white characters.
"Can you zoom in on the ID?" he asked Nightlight, who sat at the control board.
His friend nodded. He tapped a few of the keys, then touched the screen with both thumbs and forefingers, framing the ID number. His fingers pulled apart, and the image zoomed in with the movement, bringing the number into focus on the screen. It was blurry around the edges, but he could still read it.
74-8512
Jack's jaw clenched as he put the pieces together.
"That's the carrier that searched us on Krash," he said. "They must have put a tracker on The Night Fury."
"You didn't do a scan after they searched?" North asked.
Jack cringed. That had been one of the first things North had taught him, and he had forgotten it in his relief at getting the imperials off the ship. "I forgot."
"All right," Bunnymund said. Jack was grateful the other Governors didn't seem interested in lecturing him on his error.
"Tooth, to stay with the princess," Bunnymund said. "Katherine, look after the children North, take your fleet into space – take care of the fighters. Frost, you're no good to use the way ya are – take a speeder-bike and head to the pond. Nightlight, you'll be on the ground with me."
"Yes sir," Nightlight nodded.
Jack was going to argue that he was as good a fighter as any of the other people without powers, if not better. But he bit it back, acknowledging what Bunnymund was really saying. As he was, he was one more fighter. And they had plenty of those.
He echoed Nightlight's "yes sir" before he turned and followed Toothiana and Katherine out of the control room and toward the living quarters.
"I'll move her to my room," Toothiana said, glancing over at him. "Merida as well. It's on the second floor, so it will be easier to defend."
"Just don't let Merida think you're coddling her," Jack snorted. "Pregnant or not, she doesn't like that."
Toothiana laughed.
They passed the hall that would have taken him to the hanger bay, where the speeder-bikes were parked. He was grateful neither of them commented on it, knowing anyone else would have tried to stop him. There wasn't much time, but he wasn't leaving until he had seen Rapunzel.
When they reached the guest wing the lights were one, Hiccup, Merida and Rapunzel were already in the hallway, with two of North's yetis. As soon as they rounded the corner, Rapunzel ran toward him, throwing her arms around his waist.
"Jack!"
Jack returned the hug, taking a deep breath of the floral perfume in her hair, and the smell of sunshine that was uniquely hers. Part of him wished he would never have to let go.
"I have to go," he whispered against her hair, his arms tightening around her thin frame.
She pulled back and stared up at him.
"I'll be back," he promised, before she could ask any questions – since he didn't know how to explain. "But there's something I have to take care of. We're moving you and Merida to Tooth's room – it's easier to defend."
Withdrawing his arms reluctantly, he took her hand. "Come on. I can't leave until you're safe."
On their way through the main living quarters, he pointed out the door of his room so she would know where it was.
North met them at the door of Toothiana's suite, which was painted with burst of colorful flowers and ribbons – as perfect an introduction to the fairy queen as Jack's door was to him.
"Thought you could use extra guard," he said, gesturing to the three armed yetis behind him. "Jack! Why you still here?"
"I'll leave in a sec."
North nodded, eyeing Jack and Rapunzel's joined hands, and turned to Hiccup.
"Ah, Hiccup! I wondered if you would want to join the fighters. We can always use a good pilot!"
"Are you going up?" Rapunzel asked, after Hiccup's eager acceptance.
But Jack shook his head. "I'm staying planet side."
"But you're leaving the palace?"
"There's something I have to take care of," he said. "Bunny's orders. Then I'll be back."
She bit her lower lip.
"Do you trust me?" he asked, running a hand over her upper arm to sooth her.
"Yes," she said.
Her eyes met his, and the sincerity in her gaze tugged at his heart again.
"But why do you have to go."
He reached up and ran his thumb over her cheek bone. She closed her eyes at the touch, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"I can't explain it now," he said. "I'll show you when I get back. And I will be back."
When she opened her eyes again, the gentle expression made his heart ache. Because the next time he saw her, she might not be so willing to let him touch her. That thought gave him the courage to lean in and kiss her forehead – because it might be the only chance he got.
"Okay," she whispered.
That's my girl, he thought with a smile.
"Jack?"
He looked over at Merida.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier," she said. "For the past few weeks. I've been..."
"Pregnant?" Jack offered, when she struggled to find the right word.
"Aye," she nodded.
"It's okay," he said. "Stay safe, Merida."
"You too, Frost."
He squeezed Rapunzel's hand one last time, then turned and followed North and Hiccup to the hanger bay.
#
Winter was Jack's territory. North east of Warren, through the forest that straddled the territories. True to its name, it was a place where the snow and ice never melted. The children that lived in Bunnymund's territory would bundle up and head into the woods to get their fill of snowy fun, then return to the warmth of Warren when they were done.
Jack guided the speeder bike through the trees that grew thicker the closer he got to his territory. The trees limited his speed, but he still pushed as fast as he dared as he expertly wove through the trunks. It was easy as long as he kept his eyes focused on what lay ahead of him.
Everything beyond the beam of the bike's headlight was lost in a pool of inky blackness.
Something blindsided him. It came from behind on his right, ramming hard into his side so hard it forced the air from his lungs.
The force threw the bike off course, and it swerved to the right. His fingers pulled the left brake hard, causing the bike to turn at the last moment before it slammed into a tree.
He looked back at where he had been a moment before.
There was nothing – only shadows and silver birch trees with their distinct, papery bark.
He killed the engine. The hum died away... leaving a silence that Jack knew wasn't right. This was Winter. This was his territory. No matter how long he had been gone, he knew this place better than he could ever know The Night Fury – and he knew The Night Fury like the back of his hand. The sound of his own heart beat told him something was out of place.
There was a full moon in the clear sky, and the wind from the east was cold and sweet. The wolves should have been singing, calling to their packs, announcing a successful hunt, establishing their territory.
Owls should be swooping down on small animals, venturing through the underbrush. He should be able to heard said animals scurrying around.
So why could he hear anything?
Even the wind, normally happy to tell him anything and everything – about a fawn born in the woods in Warren, or mermaids playing on the shores of Dune – wasn't talking to him at the moment. It only whispered to itself something Jack couldn't understand.
And if the moon was full, and the sky was clear, why were the woods so dark?
There was a murmur to his left. Not the wind's playful voice. Something darker. Something he didn't want to admit he recognized, because he didn't want to admit it was possible.
Jack looked to his left, his eyes narrowing as he looked into the shadows. The moon's light was steady, and the headlight of the bike was off. The shadows should not be moving.
He turned on the bike's engine again, turning so the beam of light cut through the shadows like a knife. Multiple somethings skittered out of the light, just slow enough that he caught their movement. If he had blinked, he would have missed the movement of the creatures that blended so easily with the shadows.
He shut off the engine again, and the shadows flooded into the path where the light had been a moment before.
He dismounted the bike, taking his staff from where he had strapped it to the back. His other hand was on his blaster. Familiar as the staff was in his hands, it would provide only s much protection at the moment.
Though if the creatures in the shadows were what he suspected, his blaster would be little better.
Something cold brushed against the back of his neck.
Not his kind of cold – not snow and frost. But the cold of being too long in the dark - hopelessness and despair.
A shiver shot down his spine, the fine hairs on his back rising.
Darkness was leaking into his mind, whispering to him. Whispering of his own failures. Of the way he had shirked his responsibilities here on Warren.
His eyes snapped open and he spun on his heel –
Just in time to see a dark, shapeless creature skitter back into the trees.
"Fearlings," he whispered. His hands tightened on his staff.
Why were they in his forest? They should have been trapped in their dark prison, where he and the other Governors had bound them – back when he was fourteen.
Was it because he had left his territory undefended for four years?" he wondered. Had he left the door open for them to gather in his woods?
His jaw clenched at that thought.
The imperials were attacking the palace. His friends were all in that battle. Hiccup was in the atmosphere, with North's fleet. Now was not the time for him to get into a battle with Fearlings. He needed to get back to the palace.
"You know, I'd heard rumors about this place."
Jack's breath caught at the voice. He'd heard it only once before – but he recognized it. In part because he had almost expected it. Not here, in his woods. But when he recognized the carrier, he had known he would encounter the man again.
"I didn't believe them, of course," General Black said.
Jack's eyes darted around, trying to determine the direction the voice was coming from.
"A planet where certain people acquire sets of powers, where all four seasons exist at once. But this place is even more fantastic than I imagined."
Jack suddenly wished he had gone to the pond earlier, rather than putting it off. He had no power over the Fearlings that were circling around him like wolves closing in on their prey.
"Running from the battle, Frost?" Black asked with a smirk in his voice. "I can't say I'm surprised, really."
The muscles in Jack's jaw tightened further.
He glared at the creatures around him, fighting back the shadows creeping on the edge of his mind.
"I went over your reports from the Academy, you know," the man went on. He still hadn't shown himself, but his voice kept moving amidst the shadows. One moment on his right, the next in front of him. Behind him, then to the left.
Jack kept his hand on his blaster, the only weapon he had at the moment. It wouldn't work on the Fearlings, but it probably would work on Black.
"Loyalty never was your strong suite," he went on. "Never concerned about anyone but yourself. How did they ever talk you into rescuing the princess? Were you hoping for a reward?"
"You don't know me," Jack said.
"And yet, here you are," Black sneered. "Running from the battle. Even your so called friend are fighting for a princess and a planet that aren't even theirs to defend."
For a moment, just for a moment, Jack's mental defenses slipped. Not because Black was right. But because the battle was where he wanted to be.
He should be with the other Governors, and Nightlight. Rapunzel's fearful expressions flashed in his mind. He should be with her, to protect her mentally and physically. Even Baby Tooth would be fighting.
And here he stood, in the middle of the woods – because he hadn't done was he was supposed to do.
Again.
He would have to apologize to Tooth for not taking her advice. He could have avoided this whole situation – and his argument with Merida.
He would have kicked himself, had it been possible.
In that moment, when his mental defenses fell, one of the Fearlings could get close enough to brush against him.
He cried out as the creature came in contact with him. In that moment it grabbed onto his fears, and it felt as if it were trying to pull those fears out through his pores. The mental pain was so great it felt physical.
"Do you like my new friends, Jack?" the general sneered. "I felt them calling to me as soon as we came out of hyperspace. They showed me where to find them – and how to free them."
Well, at least it wasn't Jack's fault the Fearling were free. Not because he had left, at least. Not scanning The Night Fury for a tracking device still put some of the blame on his shoulders.
"And all this power..." Black laughed. "I really should thank you for leading me here."
Jack reholstered his blaster, and transferred his staff to his right hand.
Flexing his fingers, he called on the breeze that hovered around them, watching with its usual curiosity. He kept his movements subtle, to avoid drawing the general's attention.
"How did you find this place, Frost?" Black asked. "Out of curiosity."
Out of curiosity, can you decide on what you want to call me? Jack wondered, with a roll of his eyes. Merida switched between Jack and Frost depending on how annoying she found him at any given moment, but he couldn't figure out why the imperial kept switching.
But he didn't answer the question. He focused instead on the wind that came to him only out of curiosity.
"Help me," he whispered.
It lazily wound its way around his arm, whispering that it didn't like the Fearlings. It didn't like Pitch. But it liked him. It loved him, really. Because it regarded him as its own personal playmate.
It would listen to him. Not because it had to, it reminded him. But because it chose to.
"I have to get to the pond."
The wind tousled his hair.
But Black didn't like being ignored.
On the general's command, another Fearling dove at Jack, pressing against him, pulling at his fears.
Not the surface fears of him failing as a Governor. (Really, he didn't understand why Tsar Lunar had chosen him.) But the longer it assaulted his mind, the deeper it reached into his mind. The deeper it reached, the darker his fears. Most of them it pushed aside, and then it found...
Rapunzel.
If the Fearling could have laughed in glee at the prize it had found, it would have.
Merida's words, that Rapunzel was a princess, and he was only a pilot, came back to him. He had tried not to admit, even to himself, how hard those words had hit.
But now they were twisted and turned back on his, ripping through him. Because he couldn't deny what he felt for her. He couldn't deny he was attracted to her, but it was more than that. He cared, far more than he had expected. Maybe he even loved her.
But he couldn't leave Warren again. And she would have to return to Corona. It was a tragedy waiting to happen – he couldn't see any angle that where their story could be a happy ending. And the Fearling was having a field day playing with that thought as it coiled around his neck.
In the back of his mind, among the shrinking light, he knew he should fight back. But that got harder with each passing moment.
Then the Fearling found something deeper. A reminder that the palace was being attacked in an attempt to capture Rapunzel.
Worse than being separated from her when she had to return to Corona, he couldn't bear to see her captured again. And if he lost her, because his own mistakes had forced him away from the palace in the midst of a battle.
He remembered her eyes in the shower when The Night Fury had been boarded. Her fear, every time she thought of being captured again.
He had promised her she would be all right. That he would protect her. And here he was – still trying to make up for his own mistakes.
Black laughed. "Don't fight the fear, Jack. It's inevitable, after all."
"No." He had promised – and he wasn't going to break that promise.
If their story was going to be a tragedy anyway, he might as well fight with every ounce of his being to ensure it was the lesser of two evils. Because he couldn't live with failing her.
Jack grit his teeth.
The muscles in his hand had tightened with the onslaught of his own fear. It took effort, but he managed to flex his fingers, and the wind came to him. Like all the elements of this world, it would defend the innocent if asked. And he needed that defense now.
He raised his staff, took a deep, shuddering breath, and sliced the staff downward through the air.
The Fearling screeched as the wind gathered around Jack, forming a defense between him and the creatures. It was only an inch, and only for a moment. But that moment was enough for Jack to reestablish his mental shields.
That forced the Fearlings back a few more feet.
Black howled in frustration and let out a cry that sounds like "after him!"
But Jack didn't wait.
Turning, he ran through the woods, not bothering to get back to the speeder bike.
His feet pounded the uneven forest floor as he ran, swerving around the trees. Occasionally he would reach out to grab onto one of the trees, hands sliding over the smooth birch bark, using it to help maintain his balance.
Even in Winter, there were still seasons. Now was the warmer season, so the snow was scattered patches, only left where the shade protected it from the sunlight of the day.
Finally, his foot came down with a crunch of snow. His next step was once more on dirt and rocks. But when he looked up, he saw the familiar rise of rock straight ahead of him. It blocked his view of the pond, and it wasn't exactly how he had planned it... but beggars couldn't be choosers.
Behind him, he could both hear and feel the Fearlings as they gained on him. Now that they weren't trying to hide their presence, they had taken up a terrifying shriek that set his teeth on edge.
He reached the end of the boulders around the edge of the pond... and jumped.
The wind held him for a moment, before he brushed it off and gravity took fast hold of him, dragging him down... down... down...
The frigid water embraced him.