Hello and Welcome!
Rise of the Guardians, Jack Frost X Pitch Black (aka Black Ice).
This is the sequel to my previous chapters in Dream Catcher, and takes place after the Rise of the Guardians movie! It is rated M for mature content (do not take lightly), and there will be emotional moments. You have been warned; read at your own risk.
I am SOOOOO sorry for my absence with this story . . . I haven't been motivated at all with the storyline, no ideas were coming to mind (aka writers block), and I felt like I just needed a break from this particular movie/story/fandom. But I'm back and I will do my best to make up for the loss of attention to Jack, Onyx, and Pitch! Thank you to those who still stuck around to read this and those of you who encouraged me to continue!
Thank you and Enjoy the Show!
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Chapter 17: Maybe You're Imagining Things
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Words thumped in Onyx's mind for every step closer they took towards Pitch. She had convinced herself to be a neutral party in this mess – a bystander, even. Now she was carrying the famous Jack Frost on horseback to a man she knew would be angry with her for picking sides. The fucking Boogeyman. Supposedly the most frightening being ever to walk the Earth! And she, his closest friend and companion, chose to fight alongside someone else. She didn't know whether this was mutiny or just plain disgraceful. Maybe both.
Jack, on the other hand, seemed more than happy, almost giddy. Why? Innocent, child-like Guardian of Fun was going willingly into the very depths housing his worst nightmares. And he was pleased about going? He didn't seem so excited before. Pitch used to stare at the moon occasionally and his mood would always change dramatically whenever he came back. Maybe the same occasion happened to Jack . . . ?
"Who were you talking to up there?" Onyx didn't look back at the boy's face. His subconscious smile somewhat annoyed her. Jack twirled his staff in his hand and straightened his posture.
"Don't think I'm crazy, but I was talking to the moon."
"Ah, yes. Pitch used to do that a lot. Heated arguments usually ended their chats." Jack chuckled softly at the image.
Onyx stepped into a small, open ground. There was nothing but dirt, a ring of trees, and a manhole-sized hole in the ground. Jack knew this place well. Onyx knew it better. A great beast lay sleeping below them.
"How do you want to go about this, Jack? If you're not careful and he sees you, even feels your presence, who knows what will happen?"
"Onyx, don't worry. I'm light on my feet. Plus, as long as I don't use too much wind, I can float through!" Onyx glared at him, convinced that his eagerness alone would give him away. But it was his life, not hers. If he got hurt, that would just be another lesson for him.
Jack patted Onyx's neck, swung his legs over to one side, and hopped off of her. Her heart stopped as she saw the bare hole, once covered by a broken bedframe, now lined with snow. Why now, all of a sudden, was she nervous? This was her home! Jack's smile gave her mixed emotions. If all went well, everyone in that hole would be smiling. If not, Pitch would either be gloomier or angrier than when she had left earlier. She didn't care how this investigation made her feel – besides worried as hell – so long as Pitch was all right.
Jack peered over the edge of the hole into the darkness. He briefly remembered his first time diving into this very hole fifty years ago. It had been Onyx he was chasing for repossession of his dream catcher. Now he returned, this time to chase down Pitch for repossession of his affection.
My, how times have changed, he thought. With a last look and a silent "good luck" from Onyx, he jumped feet-first into a night of important events.
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Pitch leaned against the island counter in the center of his kitchen. A hot mug of tea warmed his hands. Peppermint was rather good this time of year. He listened to nothing. The silence was nostalgic and only the visuals in his head remained. Images of Jack and him (in their good times and bad), Onyx and him, the other guardians against him, and all the children taking a stand against him. He pushed them aside and sipped from his cup. He opened his eyes and sighed.
Years ago, he would be comforted by a small furry creature demanding attention. Now he had no one. It saddened him to recall such times, but she had done the very best during her life. It was just Onyx and him in this underground palace.
He heard an almost-inaudible clink coming from the cage room. Stone bridges, metal cages hanging from the ceiling, and spacious openings allowed any sound to be amplified. Pitch blinked.
Probably just a mouse, he thought, sipping at his drink again.
The louder sound of creaking in the same room interrupted him. Too big of a sound for a mouse to make. He set his mug on one of the glass coasters and curiously walked to the source of the resonances. One of the many tunnel openings led straight to it. The pale grey light, normally a faded yellow tint during the day, and empty enclosures showed no signs of interaction. It did feel cooler in the gigantic room than usual, though. The bottom hem of his robe slid effortlessly along the worn-down stone as he walked briskly around, quickly inspecting his surroundings. Nothing.
Thump.
Pitch jerked his head behind him. There were two tunnel doorways, one of which he came out
of. The sound originated from the entertainment room.
He craned his head around the wall – nothing too suspicious. His 92" TV and wall of assorted
video games and DVDs looked untouched and perfectly organized. His X-Box, PS4, and Wii-U
looked the same as his boxed disks – untouched and organized. Nothing suspicious about the
sofa either. Pitch might be a few thousand years old, but he wasn't out of date.
Pitch's eyes widened when he heard the soft stride of feet in his study. Another almost-inaudible
sound, but with his senses heightened from adrenaline and anticipation, he could hear with with
no trouble.
Thank you, rugs, he thought, molding a large, blunt object out of sand and whatever energy he
had reclaimed during his sleep. His heart nearly beat out of his rib cage with every step closer to
his mini-sanctuary. He rounded the corner stealthily and entered the room, prepared to demolish
whatever dared to enter his home.
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Jack prepares himself – he flattened out his hoodie to get the wrinkles out, ran a hand lazily
through his hair, and made himself presentable. He ignored the slight throbbing in the top of his
head from banging it against the rounded ceiling of one of the tunnels to escape Pitch's vision.
He found out it wasn't easy navigating through this place. He had checked the kitchen on his
way to the study, and found a steaming cup of sweet-smelling tea; but no Pitch. He had panicked
for a moment. He had to go to Plan B.
He saw a long, dark shadow coming up from the side entrance of the study. His heart beat faster
as it got closer.
"I never noticed or asked, but is this room a new addition since I've been here? It suits you
nicely." Jack tried his best to sound polite and mature. He knew, from earlier that day, that if he
played childish, needy, or cutesy with Pitch, he'd get banished for sure. Especially right now.
Pitch and Jack locked gazes and the chamber rapidly flooded with tension.
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Hello Again! ^u^
My sincerest apologies for making you lovely readers wait so long for this next chapter . . . But
I hope that the suspicion and mystery somewhat made up for that . . . ? I know, this chapter is
kinda short . . .
Plan A of using the dream catcher was a no-go, but I have my reasons ;) (It'll get better, I
promise.)
Anywhoooooooooo I'm done :3
Stay Awesome and Thanks a Bunches!