Bunny entered the house, sighing with relief before going straight to the kitchen, Jack laughed going into the living room, "hi guys!"

"Hi Jack, how did the patrol go?" Tooth asked smiling brightly.

Bunny came back hands filled with food and drink, "terrible," he said dumping it on the table and lying down on one of the sofas, taking it all up.

Jack laughed going over and sitting on the arm so that Bunny didn't have to get up, "it wasn't that bad," he said jokingly before frowning, "although we do bring bad news."

North and Tooth looked at each other before looking serious at Jack and Bunny who finally sat up straight, "we bumped into Aldric and a few of the others too, there here and no doubt they are teamed up with Pitch," Bunny said looking extremely serious, "we need to hurry up and make a plan."

"Easier said then done," North pointed out, "they are all very strong, it was difficult to capture them before but now they are forming group, we can't take them one by one like before."

"Yeah but remember the same way they learn new tricks we do too," Bunny pointed out, then turned to Jack, "I think Manny may have convinced Jack to help us because of that."

"Hm?" North raised an eyebrow, "Jack?"

"He is different to us, completely, so different that I don't think Pitch will see what's coming if we let him lead us."

Jack grinned, "so I get to play leader? I though you didn't have a leader?"

"We don't, what I mean, is you got ideas, strategies we don't."

"Well, it's a good job I get innocence after this otherwise I would think you're just trying to learn my tricks so you can capture me, but yeah, I got strategies and tricks, but there more of a defence and escape then attack plans."

"We'll change them a bit," Bunny said grinning back, "any that you think would be particularly useful right now?"

"Well, this isn't my trick, but we could play dirty a bit and you know... perhaps use Pitch's own tricks against him a bit."

"I see... what exactly do you have in mind, Jack?" North asked looking curious.

"Well, remember how Pitch used bait to capture me? Perhaps we could try the same thing?"

"It's not a bad idea, Jack, would you be willing to play bait for this?" Bunny asked.

"Obviously, I'm the only one that it would make any sense whatsoever if I were alone, in fact, Pitch probably expects me to run of on my own at some point, he probably has people spying on this house at all times waiting for it."

Tooth blinked, "you really think so?"

Jack nodded, "want to bet I can go catch a few right now?" he stood and ran to the window looking out, "ha! I can see two of them from here... well maybe not, you may just have new neighbours but seems suspicious enough for me."

Tooth looked at Bunny and North before walking up to the window and looking out, two men could be seen looking out of a window next door at there house, when they spotted Tooth they mysteriously disappeared. Jack laughed.

"See?"

"Well, we can't be sure but yeah... you are probably right..."

"I'm always right," Jack said grinning before sitting down on the sofa next to Bunny.

"Jack, stop being a bloody show pony and take this seriously," Bunny said trying his best to frown despite his amusement.

Jack just grinned and leaned back, "so, when we doing this?"

"I say tomorrow evening," North suggested, "sooner is better, no?"

"Agreed," Bunny said, "I'm guessing we want to stick to just us, no extra officers."

Jack nodded, "perhaps inform them that it's going to be done and have them patrolling near by areas at the ready just in case, but as an immediate attack as little as possible so as to not be caught."

"Sounds like a plan!" Tooth said excitedly, "I so hope this works!"

Jack laughed, "it will, don't worry," he then reached forwards grabbing some food from the table, "yummy."

It was early, the sun was still rising as Jack cautiously opened the front door, he looked both ways before closing it and carefully sneaking into one of the dark alleys, his staff at hand he sighed in relief once a few streets away from the house. Twirling his staff he took in a breath of fresh air, "freedom," he whispered, his eyes closed, when he opened them he jumped back hitting the wall.

"Good morning."

"Not so good any more, Pitch."

"Oh how rude," Pitch grinned, "you shouldn't have left the safety of that house snowflake."

Jack smirked, "what did you just call me?"

"I find it suits you, fragile, temporary..."

Jack lost his smirk as he glared, "you forgot beautiful and graceful now, didn't you?"

"No nickname is perfect, anyway, down to business," Pitch got closer to Jack who took a step back, staff at the ready.

"You shouldn't attack me alone, Pitch."

"Oh, don't worry, I have backup just around the corner."

"Are they keeping an eye out as well?" Jack asked smirking.

Pitch lost his smile at the smirk, "yes, why?"

"Oh, just though you'd like to know," Jack leaned in, whispering the last part, "there not very good."

Pitch took a step back unsure how to react until he bumped into a big figure, he didn't have time to see who it was before he was thrown past Jack and into a wall, "a trap..." he growled, "very clever, snowflake."

Jack grinned at North who had pushed Pitch into the wall, Bunny and Tooth stood behind him both grinning, this plan was going well, "I owed you one," Jack said, crossing his arms, "you're outnumbered."

"And it isn't the first time now is it... but perhaps... I'm taking an unnecessary risk."

Jack pointed his staff at Pitch who held his scythe up defensively, "Pitch, drop your weapon or fight!"

"How many option, what shall I chose?" Pitch grinned and suddenly attacked, Jack blocked with ease.

"As if I didn't see that coming," Jack raised his staff before grabbing hold of the scythe with the hook of his staff and trying to pull it out of Pitch's grip. Pitch didn't even try to hold it, instead he let go making the scythe fly back with the unnecessary force Jack had used and hit him hard.

Jack let out a whimper as he hit the ground, the scythe impaled in his chest, Bunny was by his side immediately, "Jack, you okay?"

"Yeah, it's not very deep, that was a dirty trick," he said glaring up at a grinning Pitch.

Jack pushed Bunny away and stood up removing the scythe, he left his staff on the ground holding the scythe like his own weapon, "well, Pitch, will you be giving up now or do you want to lose to your own weapon!"

"Oh Jack... you fail to realize," he grinned, "I'm much better at traps then you," suddenly, Jack heard a crash and turned to see the guardians all on the ground, a warrior stood on each of them, holding them down.

Jack gasped and backed away only to be grabbed by Pitch from behind. Quickly he grabbed his scythe and held it against Jack's next, Jack struggled but his hands were also held by the staff in a painful position, "P-Pitch..." Jack closed his eyes, his wrists felt like they would crack, Pitch just laughed.

"Oh, you're so cute when you're shaking under my grip, I could get used to this."

"Let him go!" Bunny shouted desperately trying to throw the man on top of him of.

"Oh but what would be the fun in that? I just want to play a little game," Pitch said snickering as Jack tried to pull away.

Bunny growled, "Pitch..." he felt his rage grow, he clenched his fists and found himself trembling with rage and with a bit of concentration he threw the man on him of as he attacked Pitch.

Pitch let go of his scythe, Jack fell to the ground shocked, he suddenly leaped away form Pitch and grabbed his staff, getting into a fighting posture. Bunny pinned Pitch to the wall as the man that had been pinning him down joined the fight against Bunny.

"Jack! Run!"

"But-"

"Get help, inform the police but get the hell out of here!"

Jack's eyes filled with tears but he nodded, quickly jumping onto a window sill them up and onto the roof, Bunny sighed with relief as he gave in and let the man and Pitch pin him down, but before he could catch his breath he gasped as Jack fell and hit the ground hard.

Bunny's eyes widened at the sight of Jack lying on his back on the stone floor, an evil laugh could be heard from on top the building then suddenly a figure landed in front of Jack, a tall familiar brown haired figure.

"Aldric!" Bunny growled but there was no breaking free this time, Pitch and the man had tied his hands behind his back and were holding him extra tight, all the guardians were well secured in fact.

Jack looked up at the figure with fear in his eyes, the figure grinned evilly looking down at Jack, then, as there eyes connected his grin vanished, confusion filled Aldric's face, "I know you..." he whispered.

Jack whipped the tears out of his eyes, trying to look brave, "yeah, you do."

Aldric hesitated, still confused, "but... you're dead."

"You wish."

"I remember... the blood."

"I'm stronger then you think!" Jack shouted and tried to attack but fell right back, hand on his chest, coughing violently.

"Yeah, good demonstration of that," Aldric began to circle him, "I guess... I should have expected it. For some reason I though you would have died in some cold corner, but then again, that explains why the body was never found... actually, this makes way more sense," Aldric nodded, "yes, much more."

"Good to know after all this years seeing me again had an impact."

"Oh, it had an impact all right," Aldric glared, "do you know what happened after you so foolishly ran away?"

"You got caught! Locked away, just like you deserve!"

Aldric grabbed Jack by the throat and pulled him up, "I could kill you."

"Aldric!" North shouted, "leave him, he is just child!" North practically begged, eyes on Jack.

"So... is this where you have been hiding, with the guardians?"

Jack kicked Aldric in the stomach making him drop him, Jack landed on his knees weakly but still managed to get back a little, "I've been making my own living."

Aldric raised an eyebrow, "oh, I get it... so you've become a criminal, just like me?"

Jack's eyes widened as he backed away more, "no! I'm nothing like you! I-I..."

"Ignore him Jack!" Bunny shouted, "he's just trying to hurt you... you're nothing like him, understood?"

Jack's eyes filled with relief and he smiled as he nodded, "I'm not."

Bunny smiled back but the smiles only lasted second as Pitch slammed Bunny into the ground, frowning, "how sweet, so, Aldric, how is your reunion going?"

"You knew about this?"

Pitch grinned a small grin as he looked away, "perhaps."

Aldric growled, "you could have killed him."

Pitch laughed, "impractical, the kid is talented, the fear you caused him has forced him to learn many useful tricks, I've been trying to recruit him."

"He doesn't know loyalty."

"Doesn't matter, we'll just have to force him, and it isn't like we don't have the stuff to do so," he said waving his arms around pointing to the other guardians, "in fact, we have four new slaves as far as I'm concerned, think about it... would any of them defy us with another's life on the line."

Bunny growled at Pitch but was in all more worried then angry, Jack was injured, he had hit the ground way too hard and the precious injury with the scythe also needed treating, the sooner the better yet, it seemed neither Aldric, Pitch, or any other warrior cared for the shaking child who clearly needed medical attention.

"Jack," Bunny whispered as Pitch continued to convince Aldric.

Jack turned and looked at Bunny with big frightened eyes, he had his hand on his chest, breathing seemed like too much of a chore for Bunny's taste.

"Jack, can you move?"

"A little..." he sounded unconvinced and this saddened Bunny.

"Fast enough to escape?"

Jack looked at the other warriors, they were holding the guardians tight, Jack nodded, "I think so..."

"Then hurry... and be careful."

Jack looked at Aldric and Pitch, taking a deep breath he forced himself up with his staff and sprinted, Pitch and Aldric both turned shocked by the sudden movement, "grab him!" Pitch shouted but it was too late. Jack was past the warriors and running as fast as he could towards public area. As soon as he spot a police officer he ran straight to him, nearly crashing into him.

"Please, I need help!" he shouted, gasping for breath.

The officer looked at him, he knew who this kid was and he knew the mission he was currently on with the guardians, "what's wrong?" he asked.

"Pitch and other... they have the guardians, please we need to... to get them back!" he was gasping for breath desperately, clearly exhausted, his hand held his wounded stomach.

"I see, well listen, we'll go back to the police office and prepare a group and then send them out."

"What? No! We don't have time, we need to hurry!"

The man grabbed Jack's arm, "I'm sorry but I can't do that, now you're going to have to come back with me for questioning, okay?"

Jack's eyes widened and he pulled away, he had spent years running form police officers and right now he didn't like this, "no, I don't have time for this."

The man stood up straight, looking strict, "listen, you are currently helping the guardian on a mission but you're criminal record has not yet been cleared and I expect obedience, if not it will count like as a crime and be like the deal was never meant."

Jack's eyes widened and he backed away, "don't touch me," he raised his staff ready to attack.

The officer stood his ground, "I'm going to ask you to cooperate otherwise I will take you in by force," he grabbed Jack's staff, not pulling it away from him but holding it in place.

Jack looked like a scared child at that moment, why had he ever listened to the guardians? Tears filled his eyes and with one quick movement he moved the staff sideways, throwing the man to the ground and ran. He didn't look back as he jumped onto a building and away, searching for a hiding spot where he could rest until he felt up to the task of leaving it.

Meanwhile, Bunny watched as Pitch and Aldric ran after Jack at top speed, grinning he took advantage of the most powerful fighter being away to attempt an escape, he pushed the guy who was holding him against the wall, North and Tooth took this as a sign and did the same, they then ran like Jack, knowing they couldn't actually defeat them.

Soon they found one of the nearby patrolling officers and got help. They headed back to the police station hoping to find Jack there, when a police officer informed them he had fled after refusing to listen to the police officer it was surprising and scary news.

Bunny growled, grabbing the police officer who had told them, "what do you mean he ran away?"

The officer looked surprised, "I told him to come back to the station and he refused, he ran away afterwards."

"How did you tell him? What did you say to scare him?"

"Scare him?"

"He's been fleeing from the police for years, he'd get scared easily, you should have been careful!"

"He-"

"Had run of, tell me what you said!"

The man gasped, clearly frightened, and Bunny's rage only grew when he told him what had happened properly. In fact, North had to hold Bunny down to stop him from attacking the officer.

"What the bloody hell where you thinking?!"

"I-I'm sorry!"

"Bunny! It's not his fault! He would not have known Jack would react, he is delicate child, we know that but he does not look it at all."

"Not his fault?! He threatened to lock the kid up! How the hell was he meant to react?"

"Bunny!" Tooth shouted, glaring, Bunny looked her in the eyes about to reply but the stern look made him calm down.

"Sorry," he whispered looking down and taking a deep breath before looking up again, "we need to find him."

Tooth's expressions softened and she nodded, "yes, we shall send out some search parties, he needs to be found quickly, before that wound worsens."

Meanwhile, Aldric was angry, extremely angry, "I can't believe this! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I though you could figure it out yourself."

"Perhaps, if you had told me, we would not have messed up today!"

Pitch shrugged, "today doesn't really matter in the big picture."

"I'm going to murder that child!" he clenched his fists, "because of him-"

"Aldric," Pitch spoke coldly, silencing him instantly, "it was never the kids fault, not really, you were an idiot, he did what anyone would have done in his situation."

"He cost me so many years in that stupid prison!"

"And he has spent many years hiding, starving, cold, scared... all because of you, believe me or not Aldric, you were probably better of them him."

"Freedom-"

"Isn't very rewarding when you don't so much as have food to eat, please Aldric, look at it my way, his valuable."

"I'm going to be honest Pitch, I don't see it," Aldric looked frustrated.

Pitch grinned, "I'll place the facts, this kid, he has spent years, no home, no food, no family... he is weak, mentally he has nothing to cling onto except for survival. He shouted be easy to recruit with a bit of work, right?"

"Yes, continue."

"Now, the guardians see this, they know he's just a kid, a frightened little kid. Now do you honestly think they would be willing to hurt him? They'll avoid at all costs."

"Okay, I think I get what you're going at, you want to use him as a shield?"

"You saw him today, he's a good fighter, strong, powerful, imagine him being our main warrior in the battle."

"The vision is beautiful Pitch, except the kid is way too innocent, he won't help us, he definitely won't kill does petty guardians."

"I think, with enough work, we could train him."

"I've tried, the kid is stubborn!"

"Yeah but you were much more limited that time, trust me, we'll break him mentally and use the shell... and if all that fails, then you're free to kill him however you wish."

Aldric grinned, in all honesty he was going to enjoy this no matter the results.