Apologies with the late reply and chapter. Work is very busy. Please don't hate me.

Seabiscuit: I'm glad you like them, you'll love this.

Tanairy Cornelio: That memory was hard to write and I'm happy you like them!

ChocyKitty: More GORE! Not so much in this chapter but I'm trying to hold off. There will be more. And I will try to make sure that I get leeches in somewhere. Mwhahaaha.

Cheshirecat: She definitely has the cynicism to be, Jack I think won't react well.

SoaringPheonix86: -puts my own brain in blender- I'm going insane. I have no idea what I have to do you woman, to make you realise that you are wearing rose coloured glasses when you read my writing. LOL. MIM is a bit of a bastard. We'll be hearing more form him later. As for Zoe, you'll just have to wait and see. As for Rosie and Ashley, I'm happy that people are taking them well, I'm writing more about them.

DevineGuardianAngel: Indeed you have. I've missed you! Thought I was going to have to send Zoe to get you. I agree and MN will have her time. Don't worry. It'll be better than the Nathara fight. Promise you that.

Dex Zabeth: Thanks, it took a lot of thinking to decide on what and who.

Robotic Unicorn Ninja Cookie: (love the name) Thank you I shall try. I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying the fan fic.

Panda-Chan8: I shall endeavour to try and be awesome, although I can't promise anything.

I know this chapter is a little shit. Bear with me, it's been a while since I wrote anything.

Chapter 8 – Ball and chains.

North looked around. It was pitch black, he scowled and waved the sword through the mist. It clung to the metal but otherwise made no harm. There was no noise, he could neither see his home nor see it. He stumbled forward through the dark, calling for his friends, the elves, yetis, anyone. But there was no answer. He became more and more panicked each moment. What was he to do? This wasn't natural which meant that the others who were in his home, were in trouble. He swore and thought hard, there had to be a way out of this. Natural or no. He sat down a blade in each hand and waited. After what could have been an hour, or maybe a day. The dark mist rippled and a shape came forward. It was followed by a laugh, a very recognizable laugh. North did nothing, he simply sat and stared at the figure.

'Oh fat man, it's been too long,' Pitch drawled with a chuckle. 'Ten years too long,' his voice took a sinister tone. North merely raised a brow at the amateur dramatics. Pitch walked around him, his body trailing the blackness, he was dressed in his usual attire but his hair had grown longer. To his shoulders but just as slicked back. North clutched the hilts on his sword it almost hurt. Finally he broke the silence.

'What do you want?' North rumbled, he stood up and faced Pitch as he walked around in a large circle. 'How do you do this?' He waved a hand at the scenery around them. Pitch laughed and held his ribs.

'Oh, stupid as always. You see your little ''Zoe'' did a very stupid thing. A very, foolish, stupid thing. She thought that she could trap me. Just like you thought you could.' Pitch said opening his hands as he spoke. He held up a finger. 'But, this time, oh hoh! This time she made the most awful mistake!' He clapped in glee. A nightmare erupted from the mist. A woman sat astride it's back. Pitch held out his hand to help the woman dismount. North frowned as her feet touched the ground, she wore a floor length black dress that seemed to meld into the air around her. Her short cropped blonde hair and bright, heavy make up didn't match at all. Jack had mentioned this other person. Apparently she caused a lot of trouble. Pitch was in league with her, only to his own means. North had no doubt that Pitch still felt the same about her, regardless of his current actions. North held up a sword.

'Where are we?'

'In your mind,' the woman said happily. 'Your tiny, little mind.'

'Now, now, Nathara. Be polite,' Pitch says in a sickly sweet voice. She smiles and backs off. North is already reeling from her statement. 'Oh, yes. We're in your mind. We're not free yet, but we're getting there. We just need a few more stones, then freedom will be ours. How many do we have at the moment?' He asked over his shoulder. Nathara held out her hands, a little fairy and an egg, sat in her palms. Baby Tooth was pale and her feathers tattered, she clutched a small oval in her arms. The egg looked cracked and it's paint was dull. North drew in his breath. That's what they needed Zoe's stones for.

'You need stones? How many?' North demands. But Pitch and Nathara just laugh at him.

'You actually think that we're going to tell you?' Pitch laughs more. 'Oh North, your cognitive abilities have really diminished over the years haven't they?' He chuckled. 'The more ironic thing you should be asking is; How did I suddenly become so powerful?' He smiled. Nathara draped an arm over his shoulder and leaned on him. Pitch ignored her, tilted forward slightly, eager to hear North's answer.

'All prisons weaken,' North replied stiffly. His knuckles had turned white as he gripped his swords tighter and tighter. A taunting lump under one of his right knuckles made him want to throw one of the blades far away from him. 'That does not matter,' North shook his head, 'we defeat you, Zoe defeat you, now we all together, we can do it again. Build better prison then the one you in now, even if it is breaking.'

'That's true,' Pitch nodded. 'Very true. Except this one was built by the spirit of death herself. When she had full power,' he shrugs. 'You would think that something like that would be impenetrable. Indeed it was. Until, well, she began to fear,' Pitch grinned. Nathara giggled. 'A few years ago, your little ''Zoe,'' began to worry; and worry, and worry. Her fear, nibbling away, giving me power. You see the only way to defeat death, is with death itself.' He laughed. 'But that's all I'm telling you. Just enough to wet your appetite.' North paled a little more. If that was possible. Defeat death, with death? Zoe was in serious trouble.

'Why you kill her, I thought you love her,' North says rallying some bravado behind him, acting as if everything that Pitch said was of no consequence. Inside he was beginning to feel a deep dread. Pitch wasn't fooled by his act. He steeples his fingers and smiled wider. Nathara scowled and her grip tightened around Pitch's shoulders. Pitch seemed to notice her presence and he snapped his fingers. She stilled and he stepped away from her. He rolled his shoulders and sighed.

'Playing this little charade is tiring so,' he mutters looking back at Nathara. 'So many years,' he adds.

'So this is a lie!' North said triumphantly. 'What you do to her?' He asked pointing to Nathara who was still frozen.

'I let her believe what she wants,' Pitch shrugged. 'I control this dream. Not her, not you, you are both bound by my rules,' he states. North frowns more. The deep feeling of dread grew. 'Don't even try to tell her North, it won't work, I've warned her about you all. That you might try to break us apart,' his voice became a mocking taunt. 'I hate the woman, but needs must.' North started to speak but Pitch cut him off. 'As for Daya. Hate goes side by side with love don't you think?' He laughed. 'As if I would tell you how I feel, the rest of the Guardians might be quite happy to spill all, but you won't get me sitting on the couch and having you analyse everything.' Pitch pretended to look at a watch on his wrist. 'Oh I am sorry, it looks like our time is up,' he said with a shrug. Nathara and the mare vanished in a drift of smoke.

'What is this for? Why you do this?' North asked referring to the whole dream.

'We are searching. Remember this. All that you are about to see, is Zoe's fault. Your precious Zoe,' Pitch laughed.

'What you doing?! How is Zoe's fault?' North demanded. Pitch began to fade from view taking the darkness with him, but he said one sentence before he vanished completely and it echoed in the air around them.

'She trusted you with the stone.'

North was released from his temporary dream, found himself slumped on the floor where he had opened the door. He shook his head and checked that he still had his swords, which to his relief he did. A metallic smell hit his nose, it was bitter and made his stomach sink. He didn't want to look up, eventually, when he had gathered his courage he stood to his feet. He heard a sudden wall of sound, as if it had been blocked from him those few minutes where he was on the floor. He could hear cries. As his eyes drew level with the rest of the room, he fell back to his knees. A keening noise broke from his lips, he tilted his head back and roared.

…

Rosie looked at Ashley as she ran over a rooftop. Something was happening and it didn't feel good. The Reaper looked tired and worried. Rosie knew that Zoe's duty was probably a tough one, but so was the Russian's, Sandman's and the other guardians, but they looked fine, the belief kept them going. Zoe would be the most powerful out of all of them due to belief, but Rosie couldn't help but think that she looked incredibly worn. She howled catching Ashley's attention. She nodded and circled down to the roof that Rosie paused on. She shifted as she waited for her sister to land. Ashley descended with a lot more grace than last time, she tilted her head and held onto her hat as she touched the ground.

'What's the matter?' She asked Rosie.

'What did you think of Zoe?' She replied while bending down to re-tie her shoelace. Ashley thought for a moment.

'She's cool,' she said with a grin. 'I like her weapon.'

Rosie rolled her eyes, 'of course you do. But what I meant was, didn't she seem, I don't know. Off?' She sat on the roof top. Ashley brushed off her jeans and joined her.

'I kinda know what you mean, I wonder what's going on,' Ashley said with a half grin. 'Should we ask Seth and Lucas? They've always got an ear to the ground. Besides, we haven't actually seen them in about a year. Should probably make an effort.' Rosie gave her a look to which Ashley laughed. 'Oh come on, you can't stay mad at him forever.'

'I bloody well can,' Rosie said indignantly. But she nodded, 'yeah fine, I know you want to see Seth,' she sighed. Ashley grinned and winked at her. Before either of them could act on their decision Ashley spotted someone.

'Is that Jack?' She asked her sister who looked in the direction she was pointing. Rosie narrowed her eyes and nodded, Ashley put her fingers in her mouth and let out an ear splitting whistle. Rosie winced and thumped her on the arm lightly.

'A little warning next time please,' she complained rubbing her ears. Ashley laughed and made an apologetic face while Jack banked in the air. A few minutes later he landed smoothly in front of them. Rosie grinned and gave him a little wave. 'Yo snowflake, what's been happening?' Ashley said with a cheeky wink. Jack summoned a half smile as he walked towards them. He enjoyed their company.

'Hello ladies, long time no see. How are the old ball and chains?' He asked leaning on his staff.

'Being ignored,' Rosie replied primly, which made Jack laugh.

'You look stressed snowflake? What's up?' Ashley said tilting her head. Jack sighed, he looked over the rooftops.

'It's just stuff,' he said quietly.

Ashley looked at Rosie, who nodded. Ashley whipped out her phone and quickly sent a text. 'You mind hanging around for ten minutes or so?' She asked him, Jack looked like he was going to say something but decided against it and just blinked slowly in reply. Time passed where Rosie and Jack caught up and Ashley texted whoever it was she sent the first one to. There was a small rumble and the roof shook, 'here they come, making a entrance as usual,' Ashley said with a small sigh. Rosie rolled her eyes and muttered. Jack watched with a confused look on his face. The rumbling was caused by a large, a very large motorbike that rode through the air. 'Where did you think that woman who wrote Harry Potter got the idea?' Ashley laughed to Jack's questioning glance. Ashley sighed happily at the sight of the bike. 'A modern Triumph Thunderbird,' she said with longing. 'In cherry red.' Rosie laughed and shook her head, Jack merely smiled as it pulled up and parked on the roof. The man sitting on the bike jumped off. He was dressed in motorbike leather trousers, massive boots, a leather jacket like Ashley's, but adorned with red to match his bike. He pulled off his helmet and placed it on the seat before turning around. Ashley looked nervous and Rosie just laughed at her. Jack watched as he turned around, he was older than twenty that's for sure. About early thirties, with dark hair and a beard, he smiled brightly.

'There you are woman,' he chuckled. 'Wondered when you would finally come to your senses.' He said leaning against his massive bike. He looked at Jack. 'Hello friend, I finally get to meet you,' he laughed again. He seemed to be very cheerful despite his appearance. He held out his hand, Jack shook it lightly. He didn't really like contact, but he made an effort. 'I'm Seth, that one's husband, or I was, last time I heard anyway,' he grinned but with a look directed at Ashley. Who had ignored her husband and was cooing over the bike.

'I knew there was a reason I married you,' she said stroking the tank. 'Where's Lucas?' She asked.

'On his way, nice to see you too,' he replied rolling his eyes. She lays her head on the seat and continues to coo at the vehicle. Rosie gives Jack an apologetic look.

'Seth? Have you felt anything weird going on?' Rosie asked quietly. Seth tore his attention from Ashley and made a face.

'I think I know what you mean, and yes I have, why?' He replied looking at Jack.

'We met Zoe,' Rosie said also looking at Jack. Who instantly stood up straight.

'What? Where?' He demanded.

'The Reaper?' Seth said confused. Jack shook his head and stepped between the two.

'Wait, no, where is she?' Jack repeated. If they had seen her then he could direct him to the right direction and he could finally get a hold of her.

'She's making her way to Canada as we speak,' another deep male voice said from behind them. Rosie winced and didn't turn around. Jack's head shot up and whipped to face this new person. Jack went to leave but Rosie grabbed his arm. 'Hello, wife,' the voice stated as he looked at the back of her head. Jack tried pulling his arm free. What was it with all these women who were stronger than him? He had to get to Zoe, why the hell was he still here? Resigned to his fate he looks at the newcomer. He was the same age as Seth, he had lightly tanned skin, wasn't as built up as his friend. He had literally just appeared on the roof. There was no sign of how he got there. He had dark hair that shimmered a blue, in the light. He had bright green eyes, that reminded Jack of Zoe's. He wore a black t-shirt, a pair of grey combats and trainers. He was almost plain compared to Seth. Except that he had a incredibly large great sword the he wore in a strap across his back.

'Hello Lucas,' Rosie says finally letting Jack go and turning around. Ashley was still focused on the bike, no matter how much Seth tried to talk to her. Rosie looked at Lucas shyly as he crossed to greet her.

'Listen. This is great and all,' Jack said impatiently, 'but I have to find the one I care about,' he shook his head. Lucas nodded.

'What is happening Jack Frost?' He asks calmly. 'I saw her flying as erratic, she didn't seem focused at all, Do we need to worry about the Reaper?'

'No.' Jack shook his head. 'I will.'

'Jack something is going on, we can all feel it,' Rosie says. 'You need our help.'

'I need help to get this woman's attention,' Seth said trying to pull Ashley from the bike. They ignored him. Jack looked at Rosie. The girls had always been there for him whenever he searched them out. They were just trying to help. But he couldn't help but feel wary. In the end he nodded.

'Take my number, let me know if you see her,' he said holding out his phone. Rosie nodded and entered his number into her phone, she would hand it to everyone else. 'Over toward Canada you say?' Jack said looking at Lucas who nodded and placed a hand on Rosie's shoulder. He was just about to take off when the northern lights appeared across the sky. 'Oh no,' he whispered. He looked at Rosie who nodded and he summoned a wind.

…

North's hand slipped because of the blood. He could feel his tears fall onto his cheek but he felt numb, he somehow managed to cross his workshop and summon the other guardians. He looked around wearily, his eyes burning at the sight. His boots stuck to the floor and their cries echoed in his mind. He looked down at the hand that hadn't dropped the gemmed sword, his knuckles were white. A sob broke from his lips as he saw Phil, the Yeti that always managed to get a hold of Jack when ever they needed him, when no-one else could. He saw the pale fur streaked with deep red. He fell to the floor and pulled his friend's body toward him, he cried and cried clinging at the cold hair. He saw the sword laying next to him. He growled and threw the blade from him where it stuck in a joist and stayed. This was Zoe's fault, he thought. If she had kept the stones this would have never had happened.

Apologies for the shit chapter. With two jobs and coming up to christmas work is very hectic. Working my ass off. Please review, I hope that you liked it.