Jack reached the well known home of the guardians way before Tooth, despite her having a lead start. Jack looked up at it, he'd never actually gotten this close, he began to try and count the floors, but gave up after about three not able due to the strange architecture. Jack wondered if it classified as a house or perhaps a mansion or even a castle with it's massive size.
Tooth reached him minutes later laughing "you're sure fast."
Jack blinked, looking away from the house and into the purple eyes of the guardian "yeah..." he smiled "I've learned a lot of tricks throughout the years."
"Like?" Tooth asked with a smirk.
Jack chuckled "like... taking your shoes of."
Tooth blinked surprised "is that why you always have bare feet?"
Jack hesitated, in reality it was because shoes where a bit big to steal but going bare feet did help him run faster so instead he nodded "course. Shoes are tight and horrible and besides, it's easier to jump as well and when you spend most of your time jumping from roof to roof you can't risk a bad jump," a broken leg meant no way of fleeing, which meant no stealing, which meant no food.
"Have you ever fallen of a roof?" Tooth asked, knocking on the door despite the fact it was her own home, it was quicker to just let the workers open it.
"Lots of times."
Tooth was slightly surprised she turned to look at Jack "did it... hurt?" she whispered hesitantly.
Jack looked thoughtful, recalling the memories, finally he shrugged and nodded "few broken bones but I was lucky, never got too serious" he said as if he didn't care "but that doesn't happen any more," he added quickly seeing her slightly horrified expression.
Tooth frowned, she would have said something had the doors not opened making her turn and sigh, she nodded to the young women who had opened the door gesturing for Jack to come in. The lady looked at Jack surprised, she knew of the young thief, Jack gave her an awkward smile. The lady seeing the lovely smile and beautifully white teeth couldn't help but smile back.
"Leave the door open, the others will be here shortly," Tooth said leading Jack further into the house.
Jack followed, as Tooth opened another door exiting the hall, Jack gasped grabbing hold of the wall for support, the world spun and he closed his eyes tightly. Tooth turned eyes widening she was by Jack's side instantly "Jack? Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
Jack opened his eyes and looked up at Tooth still holding onto the wall, he took a deep breath and stood up straight, nodding "I-I... just..." he sounded uncertain, maybe slightly embarrassed.
Tooth tilted her head, giving him a questioning look and not letting go of Jack in case he fell again.
"It's just... so hot" he finally admitted, embarrassed.
Tooth blinked and held her hand out as if trying to measure the heat, she gasped when she realized "of course! You're not used to being... inside..." she felt slightly stupid saying the last bit, but it was the only way to say it really.
Jack laughed "I know, pathetic, but... it's nice, the heat... I mean... I'm not used to it and it's a bit overwhelming but... I bet I'd like it... if I was used to it" Jack was mumbling, not used to holding conversations and less one's that would seem awkward to the normal social person.
Tooth laughed at Jack's mumbling "would you like me to open a window for you?" she offered softly.
Jack gave a small nod "if it doesn't bother any of you."
"Oh Bunny will most definitely complain but don't worry, he'll complain about anything."
Jack smiled and nodded "okay, if you're sure."
Tooth led Jack to the living room, standing close in case Jack needed support again. The living room was big, with many sofas, a fireplace, some tables, big windows with curtains pulled. The floor was carpet and Jack had to admit, it felt very nice on his cold feet.
Tooth led him to the sofa nearest the window and went to open the window wide "better?" she asked sitting down next to him, removing one coat but deciding to leave a few layers more than usual on to make up for the cold wind.
Jack nodded "much... sorry" he added.
Tooth just smiled "it's not like you chose to live the way you do."
Jack nodded "I sure hope not."
"Hope not?" Tooth asked confused.
Jack sighed "I don't really remember that far back" he said with a shrug.
"Oh... I see" this information made guilt take up residence in the back of Tooth's mind. She could hear the guardians entering and knew they would be there soon and was certain Jack would not answer any more questions once the others where there, so quickly she asked the questions that had bothered her the most "how... old are you?"
Jack looked up at her, surprised by the questions he furrowed his brows in confusion then sighed seeing no bad that could come from answering the questions "fourteen... I think. I don't know exactly what they my birthday was but... I remember how old I was in my youngest memory and just sort of count the Christmases or Easters that go by."
"We've been chasing you down since you where... seven then?" the realisation seemed to genuinely hurt Tooth who looked at the child with regretful eyes.
Jack looked away and nodded "it's all I've ever known."
Tooth grabbed Jack's hand opening her mouth to say something important, Jack looked into her eyes. Tooth saw the child like confusion in big blue eyes, she wondered how confusing things must have been for the child, age seven, stealing for survival and fleeing for his freedom. Her eyes filled with tears, but before she could say anything, the guardians where there.
Bunny shivered "close the window will ya?" he groaned.
"It is nice and warm here?" North asked Pippa who smiled and nodded.
"Thank you very much."
Sandy smiled then looked at Tooth and Jack questioningly. Tooth sighed letting go of Jack's hands "I'll talk to you later, okay?" she whispered so only he could hear before turning to speak to the others "Jack needs the window open!" she scolded Bunny leaping of the sofa and over to where Bunny stood, so gracefully it almost looked like she flew.
"What do ya mean 'he needs the window open'?"
"He's not used to the heat, he almost collapsed!" Tooth sounded angry at Bunny.
Bunny, feeling offended and taking Tooth's anger as an insult stood up tall growling "so?"
"'So'? What do you mean 'so'?" Tooth asked fists clenches "if your cold go get a coat or go to another room!"
"If his hot, send him outside to wait in the snow!"
Tooth's eyes widened "what did you say?!"
"You heard me" Bunny said coldly, looking over to Jack who looked uncertain, almost confused "will keep the kid from stealing anything."
Jack seemed hurt by this and stood up, he was about ready to leave, even though he knew Bunny was the only one who wanted him gone, the heat was uncomfortable enough and he felt awkward. North placed a hand on Bunny's shoulder "Bunny, Tooth is right, boy is helping us, do not act like enemy" he said with his thick Russian accent.
Pippa seeing Jack's expressions ran to his side, grabbing his hand "do you want to go outside?" she asked tilting her head "I'll come with you if you do... I'm not used to it being this warm either."
Jack blinked down at her then smiled "no I'm fine" he said sitting down, Pippa climbed onto the sofa to sit next to him. Cuddling up close "don't you want to sit nearer the fire?" Jack asked, obviously worried.
"No, I want to sit with you" she said looking up at him "you saved me."
Jack's eyes filled with tears for a second and he smiled at Pippa, nodding "thanks..."
Pippa cuddle up to him "don't worry, I don't care if you're a thief... you're not really a bad person, you know that right? You've just had a bad life. It's not the same thing," she whispered, she said it like it was something normal and unimportant, but the words where well though out, and Sandy who stood close by, smiled at them.
Tooth and Sandy sat on the sofa closest to Jack and Pippa. North on an armchair also nearby and Bunny as far away as possible and nearer the fire.
North shook his head disapprovingly at Bunny "don't worry Jack, Bunny is harsh but he is nice really you will get used to his grumpiness soon."
"I don't really blame him..." Jack whispered.
"Well I do, he should know better" Tooth complained.
Jack couldn't help but smile at how most of the guardians took his side, he looked at Pippa who seemed to be falling asleep by his side. North smiled as well "children are very cute, right?"
Jack nodded "most of the time..."
"Most? When are they not cute?" Tooth asked.
Jack grinned "I'm sure you guys found me real cute when I started of."
"Actually, we did! Or I did at least, I remember mentioning it to North the first time I saw you... I thought you where far to adorable to be a criminal!" she shouted out excitedly, her hands together, she had jumped of her chair. Everyone but Bunny laughed.
"Yeah we would have probably gotten him if it weren't for that" Bunny complained "but no, we had to be careful and double check!"
"I have no regrets," Tooth whispered to Jack who grinned in reply.
Sandy who heard chuckled silently, nodding in agreement. Bunny growled turning away and back to the fire seeing he was outnumbered. North chuckled "so what is the plan?"
Tooth sat back down "hmm..."
Jack cuddled Pippa close pulling his feet onto the sofa, crossing his legs. His feet where beginning to feel strange, he was so used to the numbness that the cold caused, he wriggled his toes looking at them confused.
"Jack have you any ideas?" North asked making Jack looked up surprised.
"Oh... um... how about..." he looked thoughtful "we should probably go after the criminal first, I mean the lesser one's, seeing as Pitch has recruited so many it may be best to weaken his army. And seeing as when criminal form gangs they become more careless since they think someone has there back... it is a good time to attack."
"Very vague... but still good plan, we will split split up into three groups. Two groups of two who will go search for criminal and someone who must stay and protect last child."
Tooth was about to volunteer to go with Jack when Sandy jumped up pulling at Jack's sleeve, Jack looked at him surprised "what is it?" he whispered.
Sandy pointed to himself, then to Jack then to the window, Jack smiled "okay, I'm going with Sandy."
North smiled and nodded "Tooth would you like to stay with child first? We will of course switch around."
Tooth looked down at Pippa and smiled, nodding "sure" she said taking Jack's place next to her as Jack stood up next to Sandy.
"Okay! Bunny we have mission! We meet back here in three hours!"
Jack and Sandy both nodded at once, then smiled at each other, Sandy gestured with his hands for Jack to follow and then jumped out the window, Jack happily complied especially when Sandy climbed up onto the roofs.
Sandy once on the roof looked to Jack gesturing for him to lead the way, Jack smiled seeing how Sandy trusted him "criminal usually hang around alleyways usually the older one's, the less people that go the better. So we should head out to the older side of town."
Sandy nodded and again gestured for Jack to lead the way. The boy nodded and holding his staff tightly began to jump from roof to roof with such agility he had to stop many times to check Sandy was still there and wait for him to catch up.
They made there way into they alleyways of the city, Sandy uncertain, keeping his eyes on the shadows. Jack on the other hand, walked as peacefully as if he where walking down the hall of his own home, which in a way, he was.
"Listen carefully, they shouldn't be that hard to hear" Jack said calmly, his hands in his pocket as he walked down the alley.
Sandy followed just behind, listening carefully although all he heard was there footsteps echoing around them, Sandy frowned and looked up at Jack who seemed to hear perfectly. Probably used to the echoes that the dark alleys brought with them.
Jack led Sandy a small distance before pausing and gesturing for Sandy to hide. At first Sandy was going to ask why but seeing Jack's expressions decided to do as he was told, few minutes later a group of around five people came round the corner, two women and three men.
Jack who had been holding his staff defensively lowered it when he saw them, they stopped for a second before one of them grinned "Jack... long time no see, though you found a new home away from this part of town."
"I had, but... you know how the old saying goes 'nothing good ever lasts'."
"Too true young man... so back to hiding in the shadows."
"I guess so... say have any of you guys heard about this new gang, the one led by some guy named Pitch?"
"Pitch... Pitch Black?"
"That's the one."
One of the women growled "what is it to you, Jack? You're a loner!"
"I am, and I plan to stay that way. But you guys aren't, I'd expect you would take interest in this group... maybe even join?" he was trying to sound factual but let a tiny bit of coldness slip into his last few words "so, heard of it?"
"Smart kid... yeah we're a part of it, almost everyone is now, ya know? You should consider Jack, it would be a shame if you were to be left behind, you're one of the more talented of us."
"I think I'll take my chances... but I may reconsider, of course it's hard when I know near to nothing about this gang, so... what do you guys know about them? Must be a lot if you chose to join."
"Well... we know that Pitch is an extremely powerful criminal who has done some amazing stuff, we also know he was caught by the guardians..."
"That's nice and all, but that's info about the leader not about the gang."
One of the men shrugged "well the gang works around the leader ya know?"
"Sounds a bit... unbalanced, aren't gangs like one for all and all for one?"
"Coming from the kid who just yesterday sacrificed two of his own to save himself."
Jack laughed "they weren't of my own, and nor are you."
"You always say that, always have... do you know what will happen the day they capture you, after our gang leave you behind?" a man approached Jack.
Jack stood his ground glaring up.
"Well do you?" he asked and grinned "of course you don't! You're just a kid, always have been! And chances are, you still will be the day you die. You know ho you'll die? Frost."
"I don't know the future, nor do you."
The man stood right in front of Jack glaring down at him "you'll die alone, in some prison cell crying out for the parents you never had, and nobody, will ever, remember you."
They glared at each other for a few second, until Jack sighed looking down. The man grinned "that's right Fro-" he didn't even finished his sentence before a hard wooden staff threw him against a wall, knocking him out cold.
"You're wrong" Jack whispered looking up at the rest of the gang which where staring down at him shocked "so, all for one and one for all, that's how you guys roll, so come at me!"
This challenge knocked the other out of there faze, all at once they attacked. Jack would have yawned had he had the time, instead he fought. Dodging two punched and knocking another boy out by again throwing him against a wall.
He got hit by a harsh kick to the ribs but was rescued by Sandy who by this point had come out of hiding. Jack gave Sandy a thank you smile as he knocked a girl out. Jack knocked the last two out both at once with a swipe of his staff and a kick each to the stomach.
Sandy tied them all up with some ripe he probably always held on him before going over to Jack. Wishing he could speak he grabbed Jack's hand looking up at him worriedly, tilting his head.
"I'm fine" Jack replied to the unasked questions "he just took me by surprise, threw the air outa' ma lungs, ya know?"
Sandy frowned but nodded, knowing they didn't have the time to argue now, he was going to ask Jack to get the police but realized before doing so how badly that could end so instead he asked him to go get North and Bunny, who, most likely had not yet caught anybody.
Jack surprisingly, understood with no trouble and nodded "get, North and Bunny, kay, I'll be right back."
Sandy smiled as Jack jumped up onto the roofs with no trouble what so ever. Jack had no trouble tracking down the two guardians, at first he remained on the roof watching them, before he remembered he was not there to study his enemies but to get his allied.
With a single carefully jump he leaped down, nearly getting hit by a boomerang "nice to see you" he whispered as he watched the boomerang fly back to Bunnymund.
"Didn't realize it was you" Bunny mumbled putting his weapon back.
"If only we'd had the same problem when I was running from you" Jack said with a grin.
North frowned at the bickering "where is Sandy?" he asked.
"With the bad guys, he sent me to go get you."
"And you understood?" Bunny asked.
"Ain't that complicated."
Bunny raised an eyebrow as if about to say something but North laughed "you are talented, Jack, lead the way, we must hurry if Sandy is waiting" he said happily.
Jack nodded and quickly jumped from wall to wall back onto the roof, followed by Bunny and North followed them from bellow. Soon they reached where Sandy was waiting for them, the outlaws where still unconscious.
"How did you get this many people so fast?" North asked bewildered.
Sandy pointed to Jack who sighed "I told you before, gangs, careless and stupid, it's why I chose to be a loner."
"They lack teamwork?"
"Teamwork is overrated."
"But we are working as team, Jack."
"Because it is what I need to do. Not because it is my choice. After this is over I go back to being a loner."
Sandy and North looked at each other, doubtful. Sandy liked the kid, and didn't like the idea of the kid going back to the lonely life that the streets offered him after this was over. Despite this life he had proven himself good with children and other people. He understood Sandy, earned Tooth's trust instantly and had no trouble speaking with children. Yet he was and always has been... a loner.
"Good riddance" Bunny mumbled crossing his arms.
Jack just grinned "so anyway, I'm guessing you need to deliver them to the police and stuff?" Jack asked leaning on his staff.
North nodded "we can't just leave them here, they'll escape."
"Yeah, I get it... well, in all honesty I've had experience with the police so, I might go see if I can catch some more while you do that."
"You think we're just gonna let you wonder of on yer own? No way mate!"
"Bunny is right Jack, it is dangerous, Pitch is already interested in you."
"Trust me North, I'm the oldest outlaw out here, I know these streets like the palm of my hand, no one is gonna capture me on my own territory."
Sandy touched his ribs, Jack sighed "I messed that up a but but don't worry, if I get into any trouble, I'll shout, sound good?"
North and Sandy looked at each other frowning, leaving Jack alone seemed like a bad idea but he was used to it. Finally they sighed and nodded "Bunny will surely hear, but be careful and if you see it is loosing battle do not hesitate to flee."
"I always flee" Jack reminded him with a grin before turning around "besides, I won't get into any trouble."
Sandy raised his hands making Jack stop then he threw some rope to Jack, making a gesture as if to tie a knot. Jack nodded "okay, I'll tie them up, don't worry."
"Be back at house in three hours, okay?"
"No problem."
"If you're not there we will search for you!"
"I'll be there, don't worry!"
"Stop worrying and help me with this lost, will ya!" Bunny shouted angrily.
North frowned but nodded, between the three of them there was not much trouble in getting them to the police station and collecting the money, which Sandy decided most of was going to Jack seeing as he did most of the work and it would take a way a good part of the need for stealing.
Jack made his way though the dark, cold and quiet streets, staff at hand, listening carefully, within three hours he had knocked out, tied up and hidden away in a dark corner over thirty outlaws and was proudly making hi way back to the guardian's house when something hit him from the right making him yelp in pain and fall of the roof he was on.
He hit the ground hard and curled up into a small ball letting out a whimper of pain as he grabbed his side feeling for any broken bones. But before he could fully check his wound he let out another yelp as something hit him again, this time he looked up, eyes widening as he spotted Pitch.
Pitch grinned at the familiar fear in the child's eyes, he knelt down "I see you've been busy today, weakening my army haven't you?"
Jack opened his mouth to scream out but Pitch was quick to silence him stuffing some old material in his mouth, Jack coughed, or tried to at least. Pitch grinned grabbing Jack by the neck and holding him up against the wall. Grinning at Jack's fearful expression as he looked around himself searching for an escape.
"I was hesitant about attacking you a third time... I think the guardians will definitely begin to look into my motived at this point... clearly to have such interest in this one kid can't be simply due to speed... but not even you know my true motived now do you?"
Jack looked up at Pitch then away as if searching for someone.
"There not coming Jack, not yet, it's not even been three hours yet, two minutes to go until they start worrying before coming to search for you... but by that point all there will be is a blood stained hoodie and a beautifully written letter."
Jack looked up at Pitch once more, this time he tried to punch Pitch but Pitch grabbed his hands holding them tightly above his head "don't bother, I have rope with me for if I need it" Pitch warned with a grin, Jack looked away again, clearly uncomfortable.
Pitch looked at the kid carefully "skinny... can't be sure but I suspect if I were to remove you're hoodie I would be able to see your bones, and from what I can see of you're skin you're probably covered in scars... you're clearly way too pail, not too surprising considering the climate though... there's clear sign of frostbite on your hands, you've adapted to the cold quite well but not completely... you're pitiful" Pitch stated looking at Jack's tearful eyes.
Suddenly the sadness and fear transformed into rage, it happened so quick Pitch didn't have a chance to react as Jack kicked him hard in the chest making him drop the boy, Jack landed on his legs and ran out of Pitch's reach pulling the materiel out of his mouth he let out a loud scream before grabbing his staff and preparing to fight.
Pitch growled "bloody brat" he said as he tried to grab at Jack who dodged with ease and hit Pitch with the staff, Pitch was clearly acting more hastily due to the rage Jack had caused him.
"Not my fault you're as useless as the other outlaws!" Jack shouted as he dodged a well aimed swing of Pitch's scythe before trying to lure Pitch onto the roofs, it failed as Pitch swing his scythe all around and nearly hit Jack from behind.
But it won some time and within only a few minutes the guardians had found the two still fighting "Pitch!" North shouted looking angry.
Jack smiled "we outnumber you now!" he shouted at Pitch with a smirk.
Pitch glared at Jack but then grinned slipping his hand into an inner pocked of his cloak, Jack saw this and gasped as he saw him pull out a dart "watch out!" he shouted turning when Pitch threw it, only to see how it missed all of them.
Jack blinked confused then gasped "Jack!" he heard the guardians shout as he fell to his knees, he moved his hand to his side to find Pitch's scythe, it wasn't too deep but Pitch could still push it deeper if he wished to.
"A distraction..." Jack whispered eyes on the ground.
"Clever, but a bit later" Pitch said happily, grinning "now, one step forward and the kid dies."
"You wouldn't..." Tooth looked horrified, eyes wide watching as Jack tried his best to pull away only to have the scythe pushed in further.
"You know very well I would."
"What do you want?" North asked, he wanted to keep his eyes on Jack but knew better as he instead glared at Pitch.
"Let me think... what is the value of this kid... fast, talented..."
Bunny growled "his a thief, one of yours, you said so earlier."
Pitch laughed "it's funny how you're the only one of the guardians to doubt his value" Pitch said looking at Bunny "go on then."
"Go on and what?" Bunny raised an eyebrow.
"Stepper forward, he had no value to you, there by it shouldn't bother you if I kill him."
Tooth and North both looked at Bunny fearful, Sandy was the only one who knew Bunny wasn't capable of doing it. He was also the only one who seemed to have gone missing at some point, not standing by the other's side. Of course Pitch had not noticed.
Bunny growled but then took a step back "I didn't say he has no value" he whispered coldly, then he moved his eyes to Jack who's eyes where wide and filled with shock, he hadn't expected Tooth or Sandy to stay still, less Bunny.
Suddenly Jack let out a screech of pain, but not because Pitch had pushed the scythe in further, Pitch had dropped the scythe, the movement had hurt Jack but now he was free and quickly pulled away.
The guardians smiled and looked over to Pitch to see Sandy holding Pitch still with his whips form behind, Pitch growled "Sanderson..."
Sandy was glaring obviously angered by Pitch's actions, he shook his head disapprovingly and fought against Pitch, doing his scythe and attacking with his whips. At first, Sandy was winning, but it all went wrong when he decided to take a chance and turn to see if Jack was okay. Pitch was fast, faster than any of them could remember and suddenly Sandy gasped falling to his knees as a dagger Pitch had pulled out of his pocket was thrust into his back.
Pitch grinned, he would have pulled the dagger up to the man's heart and killed him had Jack's heart piercing scream not distracted him "Sandy! No!" he shouted at the top of his lungs and before any of the guardians could hold back the already injured kid, he had his staff and he attacked.
He pushed Pitch away from Sandy with force, Pitch's eyes widened he tried to fight back but Jack dodged every attack without even the need to block as he swung his staff hitting Pitch every time. Anger shone in his eyes and Pitch knew he was fighting a losing battle when he was thrown against a wall and Jack held up his staff to attack once more.
Pitch threw a dart at Jack like he had before at the guardians, Jack dodged but the few second it took for him to react served as an escape for Pitch who seemingly vanished into the shadows, leaving Jack to gasp for breath and then collapsed from loss of blood.