Yay! longest chapter so far! XD...still not as long as I normally write, but really happy with it :)

Thankyou so much to everyone. I'm so happy with how many views this has already had, I really appreciate it :)

I'm pretty fond of this chapter, but you'll have to decide for yourselves there :P

I should warn...whilst I decided to leave it at T rating for now, this chapter does contain mild suggestion of non concent, AND, sooner or later, this story WILL become M rated (don't know when yet, but will let you know when I do :P)

I hope this chapter answers more questions...if not, sowwy! ^^'...not entirely sure I'm happy with the title...but oh well! XD

Ok, enough ranting from me, please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or any of it's characters, only this fanfic.

CHAPTER 3: Chains Of My Own Creation

The nightmare king didn't reply straight away.

Jack huffed quietly and glided up to the small platform Pitch was standing on.

"Feeling well Jack?"

"As well as I can in this place…" Jack muttered sourly, turning away.

"What was that?" Pitch finally glanced over his shoulder.

"Yes, I feel fine," Jack answered clearer, and halted his fidgeting.

Pitch hated it when he fidgeted, and as much as he loved to piss him off…

"Really? Well I suppose that's all well then…"

Uh oh…what was coming now?

"…I was a little concerned, since the nightmares tell me you were compelled again last night to go…wandering…"

Jack shot a furious glare over his shoulder at the nightmares. They seemed somewhat smug, at least until the frost spirits staff glowed threateningly.

"Jack."

He turned back, tensing as Pitch now stood directly in front of him.

Damn it! He felt it for just a second, but why did he have to feel it at all!? Even if it was just because he was startled, why did he have to get that spark of…fear?

Yellow eyes stared firmly at the face under the hood. In the past, he would've glared straight back with every ounce of his defiance, wanting the nightmare king to know that he WOULD strike him down if he ever got the chance.

Now though, he found his gaze diverting, pride smouldering after so long of being forced down.

"Need we go over the terms of our agreement yet again?" Pitch sighed as he circled the boy.

"No, we don't," Jack forced his voice to remain placid, even as he death glared the ground.

"Oh good,"

He should've seen it coming, but Jack gave a painful gasp as a finger pressed against the back of his shoulder. He stumbled to his knees as a powerful ache consumed him, only for a second, but it was enough.

"I'm sure you're aware Jack, that I only had those lamps put in for you, and that they end where they do for a reason,"

"Yeah I know," Jack grunted, trying to ignore the ache.

"Do you?"

Jack cried out as Pitch knelt by him, and touched his shoulder again.

"Tell me the reason then."

"So…s-so…"

Ouch ouch OUCH! Did Pitch want him to answer or not? Was it too much to ask for him to ease up enough for speech to be possible?

'Tsk…well if that isn't your "brightest" thought all day Jack…' He mentally groaned.

"It's so I don't…go near the exit…"

"Then why did you go near the exit?"

"I didn't!"

Again the pain increased.

"You thought about it."

This time Jack gritted his teeth, begging his pride as he did every day to back down.

"Y…yes…"

"What?" Pitch hissed at the whisper.

"Yes…I…thought about it," Jack forced his hand to release his shoulder, and turned to Pitch.

'Just answer…just answer…'

"I went to the corner, and that's where I stayed! I didn't go around…I didn't even look!"

"And I should believe that because…?"

"Because you'd know if I was lying!" Jack shouted in frustration.

'Oh no…'

His eyes were beginning to burn.

He quickly turned his gaze down. He'd learnt to swallow his pride in front of Pitch…to do as he was told…to hold his tongue and do whatever he had to in order to make the nightmare king keep his word…

…but he would not…sink so low as to let him see him cry!

'Not now…later ok? I promise…when he's not here…'

The burning diminished a little…but only a little; reasoning with himself was getting harder and harder each day.

"You'd know…" The strength faded from the spirits voice, and hate it as he might, the defeated tone wasn't entirely false.

Though his expression remained hard to read, Pitch must've heard enough to satisfy him for now. As he slowly stood, he let his finger linger upon Jack's shoulder just long enough for him to get the message, before moving away.

Though the ache took its time to fade, it still felt like a massive pressure had been removed from Jack.

"Yes, it's true. I would know…" Pitch said lightly.

Jacks eyes widened, and it took everything not to shoot a furious glare at the dark man.

It was clear from his tone that he'd known all along that Jack hadn't gone through the exit, he'd just wanted to make the boy admit his disobedience.

"You two, come forward!"

Jack had to give that it was impressive how Pitch seemed able to tell the nightmares apart; if there was a way to distinguish between them, then for curiosities sake he wanted to know!

They came to stand before their master, although one shot a glare to Jack as he sat back on his heels, and he suddenly felt certain this was the pair who'd been guarding him earlier.

He thought the hand that Pitch raised was simply to pet the nightmares to say well done, so he was as shocked as the rest of the creatures when the nightmare king slashed his hand straight through the first nightmare, which fell to sand and swirled around him.

The second nightmare stepped away, now cowering, and Jack actually felt a little horrified as Pitch sent the sand of its fallen comrade in its direction. The darkness circled the poor creature, closing in on it until it suddenly collapsed to sand as well.

Pitch gave a large swing of his arm, and the formless sand flew off somewhere out of sight.

"Clearly they didn't know as well as you not to lie," Pitch said casually, though there was a sadistic tint of humour in his words, "They told me you'd actually gone through the surface."

"What? No…" Jack blurted out, his anger replaced by shock, "They probably thought I had! I acted like I was going to…"

"Well then I guess the lesson here is this; what happens when you don't learn to hold your jokes."

There was nothing Jack could say to that, so instead he forced his gaze away.

"Why Jack, do you actually feel bad for my nightmares?" Pitch mocked.

Oh heck no. Jack didn't care for the nightmares themselves. It was more that he didn't like seeing a creature harmed because of his weak resistance against the temptation of rebellion.

Naturally, those thoughts stayed in his head.

"You look weary Jack," Pitch changed topics, "Perhaps it's time you go rest."

The winter spirit wanted to block out those words. It was the order he heard the most, and he hated it above all others.

But…

His hand shifted towards his shoulder again, but he bit his lip and dropped it.

'A deal is a deal…'

He cursed the shiver that crept through him as Pitch drifted past; long, cruel fingers pushed the hood off and brushed through his snow white hair.

The strands would normally glisten even in this terrible lighting, but now they'd dulled just like the sapphire eyes.

"Am I mistaken?"

Jack didn't need to see the smile Pitch was wearing; he could hear it in his tone. The nightmare king knew this game well, and frankly, he never seemed to get sick of it.

"Could…could I…" Jack began as he slowly stood, "…get something to eat first, please?" He swallowed the bile that rose in his throat at the polite tone he forced.

He was hungry, but this was still part of the game; a delay, small or not. He knew so, as did Pitch, and like the game master, it was he who would decide if the tiny request would be heard.

"I think that can be allowed," Pitch finished with a content smile.

He was always pleased if Jack didn't try to completely avoid what was coming like he used to. It made the winter spirit want to gag again, but he was certainly grateful at the thought of food.

"Why don't you go settle down? I'll be there later to tuck you in."

Jack felt the fingers graze over the side of his face. This time he couldn't bare the touch, and shuddered away. He pulled his hood back over his head and took off on what little wind he could summon down here.

As the nightmares were forced to part aside, he didn't miss the cruel chuckle from Pitch at his reaction.

Yes, he truly never got sick of intimidating the boy.

Food was already waiting for him when he got back to his private dungeon.

It made Jack smile. She always seemed to have food ready for him, merely waiting for permission to deliver it.

Even more to his delight was the amount left for him. Usually he'd receive a regular sized meal, i.e. a sandwich or some soup with a roll, a bit of fruit and a drink. This time there were three generous sandwiches, four apples, three bottles of water and even a can of soda. Attached to the can was a note that read "hide and enjoy".

Jacks smile softened. One wouldn't look at him and guess what his appetite was like.

Being a spirit, he didn't actually have to eat, but he was still vulnerable to hunger, usually when he was low on energy.

A couple of times during the winter, when he was at his strongest, he'd gone the entire season without eating, and remained powerful.

He laughed a little as he hid most of the food in a small draw set next to his bed. He was almost like a car really; he could run for quite a while without refuelling, but when he finally did hit empty…oh boy did it take A LOT to fill him back up!

It still made him grin to think of Bunnymunds face the first time he'd seen the boy eat, back when North had called them all together for dinner after the defeat of their arch enemy. Upon Jack finding room for a seventh helping of turkey, The Pookas mouth had almost hit the…

Annoyance struck him down, and he sat heavily on the bed. He bit into his sandwich hard as he tried to cool the sudden burst of anger.

It wasn't simply that those treasured memories were now painful to recall. Deep in the earth like this, though his powers made sure he stayed healthy, it was too warm for him to do much. There was barely enough wind to even glide!

It was like being constantly stuck within those few weeks in the dead middle of summer, when the heat hit its peak, and he either had to retreat to the other end of the planet, or bunker down somewhere out of the sun and do little more than sleep and eat.

That was when he was most dependant on a secondary energy source, but Pitch was aware of that, and so made sure he didn't get too much of an energy boost.

He wolfed down the sandwich and an apple, practically inhaled a whole bottle of water, and had to make himself go slow enough with the soda that the fizz wouldn't come back to bite him.

He wanted to finish the rest…and without question he could've… but there was no way Pitch would wait that long. In fact, not two minutes after he'd finished, the room seemed to grow colder, but not in a way that worked to his benefit.

He glanced up to see his captor as he stood close by. Pitch gave that pleasantly calm, and totally false smile. Jack swallowed a rude remark he could feel starting to form in his throat, and just sighed as he balanced his staff in its usual spot. He reached for a small pouch that was sitting on top of the draws, feeling his heart pound harshly as he did so.

"I'm…running low again…" He mumbled, holding the pouch up.

It was clear that it held little, if any contents.

"Is there enough for now?" Pitch remained calm, moving closer.

"Yeah…and…maybe for one more time after that," Jack replied quietly as he opened it.

A faint, golden glow shone over his face, and feeling his eyes beginning to burn again, he quickly reached in and took a handful of the beautiful substance.

Instantly his eye lids began to feel heavy, and his muscles relaxed. If the nightmare king wasn't standing right in front of him, he might have even smiled.

It was amazing just how powerful this stuff was. Even after so long, its effect hadn't worn off on him.

'Please forgive me my friend…if I didn't HAVE to do this…'

Replacing the bag on the bench, he shifted until he was laying comfortably. He breathed out heavily, trying to forget that he wasn't alone, and raised his hand.

Slowly, he let the gold sand sprinkle from between his fingers, over his face. His eye lids fluttered a bit as sleep beaconed him, and he let himself surrender to the comforting hold…

…might as well enjoy it whilst he could.

The air was a little warm, but barely enough for him to even take notice of. He was having so much fun that little could distract him.

One might think that after running over rooftops and between buildings for so long, he'd be over it…

…They'd be completely wrong.

There were few things Jack Frost did that he didn't enjoy, and sailing through the air? It never lost the comfort and thrill!

"To your left Jack, there it is!" An excited voice called out, before a flurry of colour whizzed past him.

Jack could only laugh as he watched Tooth fly into a house, ready to collect a child's tooth, whilst his favourite mini fairy was right behind her.

He looked up as a gold glow caught his attention, and watched as Sandy waved from his sand cloud, spreading dreams as he went.

From behind, he heard a loud, joyful laugh, and smiled brightly as he looked around.

"Hurry Jack, no slow pokes!" North laughed, before disappearing through a chimney.

Before Jack could do anything, he felt something brush past.

"Better pick it up frostbite,"

The challenge completed the warmth that had been growing in his heart. He smirked and took off after his friend.

"Who exactly needs to pick it up cotton tail?" He grinned at Bunnymund as he came in line with him, before zipping off ahead.

"Enjoy it whilst it lasts!" Bunnymund called after him.

A quick glance, and Jack chuckled to see his rival chasing him. Growing further behind them, their friends could be heard laughing at the never ceasing rivalry.

Jack was clearly more agile, but there was no denying that Bunny was the fastest. The Pooka was probably just toying with him by being so far behind, but heck…Jack could toy right back.

"What's wrong Bunny? Feeling a bit sluggi…?"

The winter spirit had landed upon a rooftop, his only intention to push straight back off into the air. But against his usually unrivalled agility, he felt his foot slip out from under him. A silent gasp left him as he fell backwards, the ground seeming to run away beneath him, as if the roof tiles were sliding right off the edge.

He expected to be met by a painful landing, but instead, the tiles seemed to collapse under him, cushioning his fall as softly as…

'Snow?'

As he lay there in surprise, he glanced to the side and grasped what should've been bits of broken tile, but instead was a chilly handful of his favourite element.

"Jack!"

The excited voice made him sit up quickly, only for a large snowball to splat right in his face.

He shook his head, but smiled up at his first believer.

"Oh you're in trouble now!" He grinned.

Instantly dismissing the confusion of the sudden change in scenery, he was on his feet and grabbing a handful of snow in the same movement. Jamie laughed and took off across the field where his friends were all playing.

Jack lined up his shot and tossed it. Being an expert at this game, his well-aimed strike hit Jamie square on as he unwittingly ran straight into its path.

The young guardian cheered and jumped as excitement took its hold, and began playing with the other children as well.

He was laughing and running as much as the rest of them, when he was struck by a snowball from behind.

"Whose butt I gotta kick for that one?" He laughed as he whipped around, scanning for the culprit.

"Still too slow frostbite."

He gasped as a powerful arm wrapped around his middle; it felt…furry?

"Aww, what's wrong Bunny? Feeling chilly?" He teased as he looked up to see Bunnymund looking down at him, "it's cute, but I'm not sure hugging me will get you far."

The pooka only smirked down at him, moving his face a little closer.

"Who says I'm trying to warm my body?"

Jack's breath got caught, and he felt a massive shiver race through him as a paw drifted slowly down his side. His eyes slipped closed, and he inhaled deeply as the paw slid back up.

"B-Bunny, wait!" His eyes snapped back open, "The kids, we can't…!"

"What kids Jack?"

Jack frowned up at him, but as he turned to look behind the pooka, he saw Jamie and the others had vanished.

"Where…where did they…?"

"It's just you and me frostbite," Bunny whispered.

Jack met his eyes warily, not entirely sure if this was going where he thought it was.

"Nervous?" The pooka whispered awfully close to his face, "I'll ease that for ya."

Jack gasped rather loud as teeth chewed upon his ear, just a bit too roughly. A paw was now roaming under his hoodie, and he could feel claws being dragged down his skin, not enough to scratch him, but enough that it felt like the possibility was being considered.

Plain and simple? Jack didn't like it.

"Bunny…stop…" He whispered, pushing against the furry chest.

To himself he'd admit that he'd liked the paw around his waist, and even the one that ran down his side. But now the touches weren't showing the same pleasantness…they didn't hurt…but still.

"I know this is what you want Jack, It's what you've wanted for a while."

The whisper made him flinch sharply. He stared back at Bunny, his face a mix of conflicting emotions. Before he could think what to say, his breath left him as Bunny leant forward, and the ground appeared rather suddenly to sandwich him.

He'd never even felt himself being lowered.

"Bunny, wait…please…" He stuttered in panic, "This isn't…" He bit his lip, his emotions still at war with each other, "I…I'm not sure…maybe I do, but, not like this…"

He grit his teeth to stop his own rambling, and forced his voice to calm.

"Not this way, I don't want it like this."

He lost his breath again as he felt a paw come to grip the side of his head. The claws were still present, resting too comfortably against his skin.

"Easy Jack…" Bunnymund cooed as his eyes slowly closed, "It's natural to feel that way. After all, nothing ever happens the way you'd like it to…in a nightmare."

The Pooka's eyes shot back open, no longer a brilliant spring green, but completely, terrifyingly yellow.

Jack's stomach fell away through his back and continued through the ground below. Will it or not, fear began to fill the void left behind, and spilt over into his entire body. The Pooka's face darkened to black, and when he opened his mouth, instead of buck teeth, it was rows of sharp, dagger like fangs that closed in on the young spirit.

In return, Jack gave a scream, purer and louder than any he could ever recall before.

'Remember Jack, remember…'

Ok, be honest, was the transition from reality to the dream/nightmare clear enough? I thought of putting it in italics, but decided against it...let me know otherwise.

Kinda tricky at parts, but still, really loved writing this :)

Hope you enjoyed! Will update asap!