Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 6

North watched young Frost as they walked through the Markets. He was not sure what to think of the Winter Spirit but his concern for the children appeared completely genuine. How young was he to have his First Believer among them? Or…had he lived for centuries unseen? The name Jack Frost was vaguely familiar from somewhere…ah! Yes, there was a line in a popular Christmas song. There was no way to tell his age from his appearance; some Spirits could change what they looked like, some aged, others didn't.

It was a risk, trusting him, but at the moment there was no choice.

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Jack walked into the hall with Cailleach on his arm, the Guardians behind him, and they definitely drew attention.

"Perhaps you should have brought your Crown," she murmured in his ear.

"I'd prefer the Guardians not know," he admitted as they made their way to an empty row of seats. "Sit here, I need to register," he told the group and then slipped away to speak with the staff. He showed his funds and signed the register before looking over the 'catalogue', using every year of experience as King to keep his face blank as he saw faces he knew. He smiled and nodded and then returned to his seat. "They're here, sale hasn't started yet. Just stay calm and no matter what, don't make a scene."

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Tooth bit her lip, hands pressed to her mouth as the first child was led up for sale. She was only three at most and Tooth knew nothing about her because she was too young to have lost any teeth. The child was utterly placid, her eyes only half open…just like the children they had saved. The bidding began and Frost remained silent and she glanced at him.

The woman with him who appeared very old leant in slightly and patted her hand. "Never appear too eager at an auction dear, it drives up prices."

Tooth glanced at him again, seeing how relaxed he was, practically slouching in his chair, lazily watching everything. She didn't know the currency, so she didn't know how high the price being called was, but finally, he tipped his staff, bidding. Tooth practically held her breath but finally the hammer fell, and his bid was the highest.

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He curled up, shivering. Was he awake? He didn't know anymore. He was scared, so scared. He wanted Jack, but Jack didn't know where he was…or Jack was dead? No…it was the nightmares… he whimpered, curling tighter. Pitch…Pitch had him…he'd said…his mind would change…to serve him? Had that been a dream? No…he wasn't that lucky. He was trying to turn him against everything he believed in, everything he loved. He didn't know about Jack; Jack would find out and come for him and if Pitch had his way…

"Are you ready boy?" Pitch called and Jamie struggled to sit up, to glare at him, anything but he was too weak. "Almost." And with that another black wave approached and all Jamie could do was whimper in fear.

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Jack nodded as his bid was accepted, that was three kids down, and thirty one to go. He wished he could bid for everyone in the hall but that was impossible. He saw some officials speaking and then one approached, and Jack nodded to the others before standing and moving off to the side with them.

"I see that you are…my Apologies your Majesty. It has been a long time since the Winter Court has graced our halls."

"Is that a problem?" he asked, arms crossed, a move that had taken him time to work out when carrying his staff.

"Of course not Your Majesty. You appear to be bidding on a particular group, Sire?"

"We prefer them…fresh. The longer they are here, the more affected they are by your magics."

"Of course," the vacant smile and multi-coloured eyes were a bit creepy, but he'd seen worse in his own Court. "What kind of numbers were you wishing to purchase."

Jack smiled mentally, now the negotiating could begin. This was what he'd been hoping for, far safer than risking open auction.

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Aster watched Frost speaking with someone important looking off to the side but none of the kids were up, so he wasn't missing any bidding, yet. He saw the stranger bow slightly and accept the pouch of funds and then Frost was motioning towards them.

"Come, it's time to go," the old woman told them.

"The kids…"

She smirked. "The plan was never to bid individually for all of them. Come now."

They followed her to Frost who offered her his arm again and Aster wondered just who she was…and how important.

"This way," he told them, leading them down a hallway, checking the marks on various doors. He pressed his staff against a door, and it glowed, clicking open. They entered to find all of the children sitting on the floor, minus those Frost had bought out there. Those three were led in, plus another four, all wearing collars with a chain connecting them. Frost nodded and they were left alone in the room, Frost sagging tiredly.

"Alright?" Aster asked and tired blue eyes met his.

"I don't like playing these games," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "This is all the kids the Piper sent here, plus those four so it wouldn't be too obvious. "We need to get them back to the mortal realm as fast as possible, every second they're here they're soaking up Fey magic," he explained. "Think one of the snow globe things will work in here?"

"No harm in trying," North answered, pulling one out. "I say North Pole," he tossed it and it shattered, opening the portal. "Quickly now."

They moved around, getting the children to their feet and through the portal to the safety of the Workshop.

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Jack looked at Cailleach and she nodded, moving away, she would make her own way home. Jack gently led the twins into the portal, and it shut behind him.

"Your friend?" Santa…North asked.

"Will make her own way home and keep an ear out in case anyone wants to argue about this," Jack answered, helping the boys sit with the others.

"Why haven't they woken?" Tooth asked in alarm.

"Because of this," Jack pulled out the paperwork. "Desk or something?" he asked, and North cleared off a table. Jack spread out the paperwork, technically parchment.

"What is all of that?" Bunny asked and Jack figured none of them read the language.

"Ownership paperwork," Jack answered flatly. "Signed and sealed." He created an ice blade, heard a noise of alarm, and then he sliced his hand. More ice formed a bowl to catch the blood as the blade vanished.

"What are you doing?"

"Freeing them, unless you want me to own them forever? Literally," he answered, and they went quite, watching. "Got a quill? I need something to write with without ink."

"Ah, here," North handed him an old quill and Jack dipped it into his blood.

He hated this kind of magic but there was no other way. He carefully overwrote the contract for Pippa and then looked over, seeing her slump to the floor, asleep, the collar around her throat unlatching. One down, thirty three to go. The other four he wasn't sure about; they had been in the Market for several months and he had noticed a few mild shifts from human in their appearances. It meant they could never go home. Someone would have to take them in, he could, but they would have to become members of the Court. Perhaps North could keep them with him? Or one of the other Guardians. In the end, he overwrote their contracts too, no matter what they would be free.

"They should be okay; you might want to check them over though they should be untouched. Those four though have begun changing, they can't go home."

"Changing?" Tooth demanded.

"The Fey have a miniscule childbirth rate, where do you think most new ones come from? Either that or they're kept for various reasons; as food, pets, you get the idea. They aren't human anymore, until they wake we won't know how mentally changed they are. Can you look after them? I know you can get the others home."

"What about you?" Bunny asked.

"I'm going hunting for the Piper's home. The kids I'm looking for aren't here."

"Who are they? If they've lost baby teeth, maybe we can help track them," Tooth offered.

Jack hesitated but then sighed. "Jamie and Sophie Bennett. Jamie…doesn't believe anymore, he aged out. Sophie is wearing a token, but I can't sense it, if his home is connected to the other world then it was either too far from the Markets or shielded."

"Jamie?" North asked in horror and Jack nodded.

"I'm going to get them back, all of the kids he was planning to keep. If you want to get the statue of the Piper and store him somewhere, fine. He won't just thaw in the weather. If you thaw him then you better make sure he can't do this again, if he does, next time I'll deal with him permanently," he warned, moving and kneeling beside the kids he knew, checking them. He nodded to the Guardians and then a window blew open and he leapt up and out onto the wind.

He would contact Skaði, get her to bring some of the wolves and they would find the kids. They had to.

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Pitch stared at the boy who was whimpering in fear, eyes darting around, unfocused. Very nice. He unlocked the cage and the sand moved, lifting him out and lowering him to the floor where he scrambled back weakly, panting in terror. "Now you're ready boy," he smirked and wide brown eyes struggled to focus on him. "Can you understand me?" he demanded, and the boy whined but then jerked a nod. "Tell me your name."

"J...J...amie," he stammered. "P…plea...se…stop," he begged very nicely.

"Don't worry Jamie, it will all be over soon," he promised.

The sand wrapped around his weakly struggling form, moving him to the cleared space, pinning him down with his limbs stretched out even as he pleaded and begged, trying to get loose but too weak to make any headway.

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He was terrified, struggling to make sense of anything, and then he screamed in agony. It was like millions of tiny knives forcing their way into every part of his body. They burned and froze at the same time, sinking deep and all he could do was scream. It hurt!

He could never have dreamed of the kind of pain he was feeling. It was like he was being torn apart…something forcing its way into him. He sobbed and screamed, trying to get away but how do you get away from something inside of you? He could feel something dark and evil sinking into his body…his mind. Was it real? Another nightmare? No…it hurt too much to be a dream. And then he felt it…in his head…whispering of blood and violence…evil…no! Please no! He could feel it going after his memories of his friends and he screamed. No! Not Sophie…Jack…

Jamie sobbed, twisting in the restraints, unaware of anything outside of his own mind, eyes rolling in their sockets as the darkness sank ever deeper into him.

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Jack followed the wolves as they hunted, this time dressed in Royal white as they scoured the realms for the Piper's hideaway. Cailleach was acting as regent while they hunted but all members of his Court and those affiliated who were deemed trustworthy enough were scouring the globe and affiliated realms.

It had been three days and the longer it took…well Sophie and Jamie he'd bring to the Court, the necessary magic was ready to help them. They would have begun changing but it wouldn't be finished yet which was why their magic would be able to shift it, allow them to become members of the Winter Court rather than the Fey. The other kids, he'd see if the Guardians wanted to take any of them in but if they didn't then he'd take them all. They just had to find them before they could change over the whole way to Fey. If they did…then the Unseelie could claim them.

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He remembered…Jack teaching him…had to try…had to hide…why? He….he shouldn't hide anything from Master…No! Jack...Sophie…they were important…love…what was love? He…he couldn't remember, he should know…shouldn't he? He…he was forgetting? He didn't want to…did he? It hurt so much to try and think…he didn't need to think….just obey…

He whimpered in pain.

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Pitch was actually impressed by the boy's resistance. Despite being weakened by the nightmares, he was still fighting. How he wasn't….oh, how had he missed that. Very interesting. Either one of the Guardians had been secretly visiting the boy since the battle or he'd had regular contact with another Spirit since then, enough for their magic to have left an imprint on him. Enough to allow him to resist but it wouldn't last much longer, his body was beginning to change, and his mind would be succumbing bit by bit.

He had sensed the Guardians return above, seen the lights once again light up in Burgess. That was interesting although an accepted possibility. Still, they had not come looking for him so his part in events had remained unknown to them.

He smiled as the boy screamed, spine bowing, fingernails chipping and bleeding as he scrabbled weakly at the stone floor. It was obvious that despite his eyes being open he was not seeing anything. His skin was now pale rather than well-tanned, his hair darker, longer, stringy. Still, his facial features were remaining similar enough that the Guardians should recognise him when they saw him.

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He whimpered at the memory of being held tenderly…cool lips on his…whispered words of love…and then he forced it away with the rest…pushing it deeper and deeper….had to hide it…he couldn't fight the whispers…couldn't let them take that from him…his mind was twisting…changing…forgetting…he…he wanted...his Mom…he…wanted…

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Jack looked at Skaði and nodded, his staff held at the ready and she had her bow drawn, an arrow nocked and ready. The wolves milled around them, ready to fight if needed, looking forward to it after days on the hunt. His gaze moved across a handful of Yuki-onna ready to help transport the children and also begin feeding them Winter magic to push back the Fey they would have absorbed.

He raised his staff, feeling his power rise, and then he slammed it into the wall of rock before them. It shattered under the power of Winter and they barrelled through the opening, ready to fight and Skaði hissed in loathing at the wave of rats rushing towards them. She fired an arrow, taking out a few and then Jack called the killing cold of Winter, spreading it over the animals, killing them.

"Find the children!" he ordered, worried the rats may have harmed them with their master gone so long. They split up, searching. Jack pushed through some vines into a clearing and froze for a second. "Sophie!" he fell to his knees beside the girl, pulling her into his arms, looking into vacant eyes that were no longer truly green. "I've found them!" he called, looking over the children, heart sinking. Where was Jamie?

Soon they joined him, and they went to work, trying to stabilise the children as they were although none approached where he knelt with Sophie cradled to his chest. The others had changed more, the magic of the Snowflake had apparently given her some protection, thankfully. He stroked a hand through messy blonde hair finding it streaked now with green and began carefully feeding a steady stream of his own magic into her to help stabilise her.

"We're ready to go Sire," Skaði told him and he nodded, standing with Sophie carefully cradled in his arms. They left and as they cleared the section, Jack let his rage go, putting the place into a permanent mini ice age, just in case the Guardians let the bastard go.

They vanished in a blast of snow, reappearing in the prepared room, the children being laid out on the waiting ice tables. Letting go of Sophie and placing her on one was one of the hardest things he'd ever done but there was no other option. His magic alone would not be enough to stop the Fey magic changes in her, so he had to leave her in the capable hands of Itztlacoliuhqui, Aisoyimstan, and Kuraokami.

"You found them," Cailleach smiled in relief as she entered but then she saw his face. "Sire?"

"Jamie wasn't there," he answered, watching Sophie as the ice formed over her. "Has the Piper ever worked with anyone?" he asked since he'd only run into him once and he'd been alone then.

"I believe…" she hesitated, thinking it over. "Yes, he has worked for what you may call commission in the past. Much like the story of Hamelin where he agreed to remove the rats for a price. But what Spirit would ask for your Jamie as a price?" she asked, and Jack went utterly pale. "Jack?" she whispered, moving in closer so that no one could overhear.

"Pitch Black…Jamie was the Guardians 'Last Light' in their fight eight years ago." He knew the winds outside were howling in response to his rage, but he didn't care. His people would know, he'd only shown such anger twice before. They would be preparing for battle and he would bring the whole Court down on Pitch to get Jamie back…but he didn't know where his lair was. "Get ready," he told her.

"What are you doing?" she asked in concern.

"If anyone knows where to find Pitch, it's the Guardians. And I need to tell them we found the other children," he answered before he vanished.

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North looked up as a storm suddenly hit, confused. "Strange…" the yeti began checking things, just to be safe.

"North?" Tooth looked around warily. "Do storms usually hit this fast?"

"Not naturally," Aster answered.

They all jumped as the windows banged open and then Frost was there, rage in his eyes.

"The children?" Tooth asked and he glanced at her, obviously struggling.

"Found," his voice was strained, and they exchanged looks of concern. "They aren't human anymore and will remain with us. S…" he took a deep breath, fingers clenching around his staff. "Sophie was with them…Jamie wasn't. Piper works for others sometimes. Who would target Jamie? I only know one name from Jamie's story of your battle in Burgess."

Tooth gasped in horror and Sandy's sand flew over his head too quickly for anyone to interpret.

Taking Jamie…yes, it was something Pitch would do. It was because of Jamie that he had been defeated. He'd had Jamie now for well over a week and from the looks on the others faces; they were all dreading to even imagine what may have been done to the boy.

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Pitch watched the limp form, the sand restraints retracting, and then slowly the boy began to stir, rolling over and pushing up to hands and knees, stringy black hair falling over his face. He pushed to his feet, wavering, before straightening, looking up to reveal golden brown eyes. The physical transformation was still in progress, but the mental was done. His eyes were cold but there was no anger directed at him as there would be from the boy he was before. He smirked as the boy dropped to his knees and bowed his head.

"Master."

TBC…