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.

SO sorry I've been absent . . . I have so much going on and not enough time to do it all! But I've updated my Johnlock story, so I have the time to update this story!

Thank You and Enjoy the Show!

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Chapter 18: Dreams Lost and Retrieved

Pitch sighed heavily, not yet lowering his sand weapon ready to smash Jack's face, which currently expressed the bashfulness of a child.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack with your snooping around and basically trespassing! Also, now that I've had a chance to recuperate, give me one good reason why I shouldn't bash your face in with this and kick you out?" he gestured to the sand mold in his hands. He didn't really know what he had formed, but it might've been enough to knock a sumo wrestler to his feet if he really committed to the blow.

Jack took a deep breath (as if he hadn't been breathing at all since Pitch walked in) and silently asked for permission to sit in the same velvet chair as before. Manners, Jack, remember your manners, he thought once he was permitted to do so. It was tougher to sit in it now than he remembered from before.

"Sorry I came in uninvited, first of all, and my intentions are to set things right between us. Because I found out what was really the matter between us!" Jack shifted his staff between his hands.

"What do you mean?" The weapon slowly began to disintegrate as Pitch got more intrigued and confused with Jack's statement.

"Well, I figured that, besides what happened in Antarctica, the recent fight for the belief of the kids was never personal between you and me. Like I said, I was a neutral party, yet in the end, I took a side – the side against you. Given my purpose and your schemes to essentially take over the world, it seemed like I had to. However, nothing about you and me, in particular, happened. We never spoke about our relationship, nor did we let the other guardians know anything about it."

"What's your point, Jack?" Pitch took a step towards him, his patience for his story growing thin.

"My point is, despite your anger issues, I was glad that you and I . . ."

"What? Saw each other again? Is that what you were going to say?"

Jack didn't say anything. He didn't look at Pitch. He couldn't stand to see those piercing gold eyes dig into his soul and extract every thought and emotion he had conceal as part of keeping himself mature and composed. He couldn't risk it.

"You missed me, didn't you?"

Tears threatened to show themselves in Jack's icy blue orbs. He hadn't realized, nor did he want to admit, how much he really did miss being with Pitch. He was incredibly shocked at seeing Pitch after so many years of his absence in the Tooth Palace. As much as it did freak him out, he did enjoy the energy of their hand-to-hand combats. Hell, he was ecstatic when he returned to Pitch's lair for the purpose of finding what turned out to be Tooth's magic tube of his baby teeth.

"Jack."

"Yes, alright, I did!" Jack looked up to the surprisingly soft voice. Pitch had silently walked his way in front of Jack and now knelt at his knee. Even when kneeling, Jack had to look up at Pitch. "Sorry for yelling that into your face," he sniffed.

"I agree with your reasoning. Nothing was personal, our relationship was concealed, and you got the answers you were looking for, right?"

Right. Jack had left Pitch fifty years ago because of Pitch being accused for keeping secrets about Jack when he asked him not to. A stupid reason for leaving, but Jack did grow up a little bit since then. Pitch certainly saw that to be in this position now.

"Right. I did." Jack gave a shaky chuckle. "Guess that's why I came back. To maybe ask if you can forgive me for being an idiot." He risked looking into Pitch's eyes. No tears flowed down his cheeks, but they pooled at the corners.

Onyx might as well have fainted from surprise. This was going so well! Jack was working his way back into Pitch's heart! If she were a teacher, she would say that Jack is passing with flying colors.

"Well that's something I've never heard before. Being asked for forgiveness." Pitch stood up and smoothed out his robe. "Yes, I forgive you for your childishness. I do believe you've learned your lesson and you have grown up enough to admit your wrong-doings." He shoved his hand into Jack's hair and ruffled it up.

Onyx sighed in relief. Her heart finally regained its steady rhythm from the dramatic scene played before her. To put it into comparison, it was like the whole study was an ocean during a storm and Jack and Pitch's emotions were the crashing waves against an army of rocks. She had definitely not expected this conversation to go so well. Jack had done well and didn't seem like he was going to run away, so kudos for him. She was impressed. As far as what Pitch would think of his bravery, he had taken kindly to it and accepting Jack's apology was an excellent way of rewarding the teen. Well, there were certainly other ways Pitch could reward Jack, but she was right outside the door to keep things clean for now.

"Oh, and to answer your previous question, yes; this study is newer. I've had it for about thirty years."

"That's not that much newer."

"Perhaps not, but it's newer to you."

"And all those video games and movies?" Jack teased. He never knew of Pitch being the gamer-type and movie critic.

"Oh, please, I can't have a hobby?" They laughed. An awkward laugh. A short and relieved laugh. "Are you hungry? I can heat up something for you if you'd like."

"I could go for something to drink, actually. I'm not especially hungry." Onyx collected herself from her fan-horsing and disintegrated through the cracks in the wall and floor. Jack followed Pitch closely behind him through the study and hallway to the same kitchen he remembered all those years ago. It was like he never left.

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"So please tell me how and when you started collecting all those video games and movies, because you do not seem like the type of person to make that a hobby," Jack asked, trying to make small talk. He didn't know if anything he said would set Pitch off, so he attempted to keep the topic light. Plus he really did want to know.

"Oh, I took them from kids." Pitch drank as if the phrase didn't stun his as much as it did to Jack. Jack's jaw dropped.

"You STOLE? From children? Pitch! You're the Boogeyman, not a burglar!"

"Relax, Jack. They were old games, systems, and films that the kids never used. I made sure of that. And besides, I doubt they've noticed their missing entertainment. You know they can get almost everything from those touchscreen boxes they're all obsessed about, so a movie here and a video game there is no big deal."

Jack sat silently. He guessed that seemed logical. But it was still wrong nonetheless.

"Would you return them?"

"Probably not."

"Okay then." Nothing Jack could say would change Pitch's mind. He knew that too well and Onyx had reminded him repeatedly. New topic.

"Whatever happened to Ebony?"

Pitch set his mug for his tea down onto the granite island countertop after taking a long sip.

"She died."

So much for a light topic.

"I'm so sorry," Jack began, suddenly feeling guilty for bringing up the deceased cat.

"Don't be. She lived long for a cat her breed and age just caught up to her; no illness." Jack stared blankly at Pitch, knowing little about animals. "Cats live between fifteen and eighteen years, on average. Ebony lived to the golden age of twenty-two. She was six when you met her." Pitch took another gulp of tea, letting the taste linger on his tongue. "After she died, I began to do a little remodeling to my home and added the study. I didn't want a cat that old and crafty freaking out over the changes." Pitch smiled, revisiting fond memories of his adopted companion. He didn't want Jack to see him like this while he told him the story, but since Jack asked . . . "She was so feisty – always wanted things done her way, and willing to do whatever it took to make it happen. Granted, I couldn't communicate with her like I can with Onyx, but I could tell what she wanted by her body language." Jack tensed up, knowing that he now could also communicate with Onyx, but remained silent. "While you and I were, y'know, together, she wasn't too fond of you since you took up more of my attention than she liked. After you left, she was always on the watch for you. She wouldn't even look at me for a good few months. She got over it, although she and Onyx never quite got along," Pitch stared down at the ceramic cup between his large hands and concealed a grin.

Jack remembered Ebony. He recalled Pitch calling her a "diva" when he first met the silky black cat. She had bright green eyes that almost looked unreal. Shame she passed away . . .

Jack shifted uneasily in his stool. Seeing Pitch so open like this was new to him after seeing him so violent and hostile only a few days ago. And all over a cat . . . Jack couldn't help but smile in response.

"Um, speaking of Onyx, I can communicate with her now, too." How else was he supposed to bring it up? Pitch was going to find out sooner or later. Pitch's smile dropped and he looked more serious.

"Exactly what do you mean by that? I'm the only one that can speak to sand figures. Sandy is mute so he's out of the question, but you? No offense, Jack, but I do not believe you at all."

Onyx formed out of nothingness by Jack's side, turning her long head to the side so she wouldn't get smacked in the face by his twirling staff.

"It's true, Pitch. I got annoyed with answering his 'yes' or 'no' questions, so I kind of spit in his face . . ." Pitch blinked at her.

"Jack, if what you said is true, then what did Onyx just say? And Onyx, do you know how unsanitary that is?"

Jack held in his laughter.

"She said she didn't like answering my 'yes' and 'no' questions so she spat in my face, and it was just sand. Hurt my eyes a little bit, but nothing unsanitary happened, Pitch."

"Sorry about that, I didn't mean to catch you off guard."

"Onyx, may I speak to you, alone?" Pitch didn't wait for her to answer before he stepped into the closest shadow with his sand creature trailing behind him. They were in his bedroom a ways away from earshot of the guardian.

"What happened? You were supposed to go unseen, and now you two can understand each other?!"

"Pitch, please calm down. He was already on his way back here to settle things with you when he and I happened to run into each other. Nothing was planned." Pitch stepped away from her and paced around the room. "What's the matter? I already said nothing was planned, and I didn't go behind your back on anything!"

"How did he get back here so fast? Where did he go after he left here earlier?"

"He left to go to the fat guy's workshop for the dream catcher." No way in hell she was going to tell Pitch Jack's plan. Neutral party, remember? "He and I ran into each other and he asked me to do him a favor and bring you here. Apparently, I'm faster in the air than he is."

"Onyx! You are not to help him! I asked you specifically to keep an eye on him, not engage with him! You're on my team, right? You're on my side?" Pitch looked desperate; not hurt, per say, but in need of confirmation.

"Pitch, before you gave me the order to spy on your little friend down there, I declared myself the neutral party in this mess. Meaning I'm not on either side."

"Great, the last time someone close to me was considered a neutral party, he turned against me and is now having iced tea in my kitchen!" What was Onyx supposed to say to that?

"Iced tea doesn't sound so bad-"

"ONYX!" Onyx stopped talking. Pitch rubbed his face with his hands. "I apologize for yelling at you." He raked his fingers through his hair. "Just tell me this, if I asked you to spy on Jack, would you do it?"

"Of course."

"If Jack was on the verge of death and needed your help, would you help him?"

"Of course, although I suspect you wouldn't let that happen."

"Then whose side are you on? Mine or his?"

"Pitch, this is ridiculous. I wouldn't do anything to harm you or Jack, physically or emotionally. I will help both of you when I see fit, and will not be subjugated to following orders from one person about regarding another. That's the side I'm on." Onyx crumbled to the stone floor and vanished as soon as the last word was spoken.

Pitch lay alone in his bedroom, same as it had been all those years ago. The same chandelier, the same floor rugs that almost matched the ones in his study, the same curtains leading to the same balcony, the same wall mirrors, and the same bedding. He'd now have to face Jack alone, knowing his situation and the players involved.

He felt like he wanted to break everything in his path till it was shattered in pieces – but that would have to wait.

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Hello Again! ^u^

Phew! Sorry, again, for my absence! I'll try to write more as my schedule begins to open up . . .

So how is Pitch going to play this out, knowing this new information, hmm? ;3

Anywhoz . . .

Thanks a Bunches and Stay Awesome!