Thankyou so much to everyone for reading, reviewing etc. I can't believe how well this is doing so far! :D
NOTE: Before I forget...after this chapter, there WILL be a delay until the next update, for a few reasons...
1. The next draft chapter isn't finished
2. I'm away for the weekend, so probably won't get to work on it.
3. I have other fanfics that are LONG over due for updating, which I've been putting off ever since I got my obsession with ROTG. I have no intention of abandoning ANY of my work, so whilst I will continue to work on this one when and where possible, I have to turn my attention back to my other stories for awhile, sowwy :( (I WILL be continuing this story, please don't be mistaken).
Not sure how well this chapter came out, but I like it...hope you do to ^-^ Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or any of it's characters, only this fanfiction.
CHAPTER 4: Pressure and Release
It was a lazy morning, which was really something to say about the constantly busy North Pole.
The rest period was January and February, right after Christmas. But come the first day of spring, it was all hands on deck and back to the grind.
Here in the middle of June, things were truly under way for Christmas at the end of the year, but the pace was still steady enough that a few yetis could be spared to clear the snow from the doors and pathways.
Near a side entrance, a couple were having a friendly debate about whether they were better off sweeping the tones of snow, rather than preparing toys under the constant orders of their leader, whom they could hear loud and clear thanks to an open window.
They'd just about cleared the path, when one grunted and rubbed his nose, a bit of snow tickling it. He blinked and shook his head.
Noticing that he'd stopped, his friend gave him a shove, grunting something about getting back to work, before he returned to his own side.
He heard his friend groan in annoyance, but no more than ten seconds later, he jumped at a loud crash. Nearly dropping his shovel, he turned to find his friend face down in the snow.
He was quick to rush to his side and turn him over. Though at first panicked, he soon frowned as the first yeti gave a thundering snore.
Relieved but still annoyed, he was about to slap him awake, when his body began to feel heavy. He fought to keep his eyes open, but with a loud yawn, he fell asleep next to his pal.
Neither had noticed the light shower of golden rain coming down over them. A few moments after they began slumbering, Sandy drifted down to them, an awkward look on his face. He nudged one with his foot, looking more nervous as they continued to sleep.
A thundering voice from the workshop made him jump. He looked between the window and the sleeping yetis, before deciding it better to just get inside…
…though not without making a mental note not to practice anymore sand tricks whilst hovering over the North Pole!
Inside, the yetis were getting in trouble for letting their visitors distract them from their work, whilst the visitors in return weren't escaping the heat…
"Girls, behave yourselves!" Tooth ordered as fairies buzzed around the work stations, curious about the new toys being created.
If North wasn't so anxious right now, he'd have laughed at the way she so skilfully rotated between scolding them, and handing out coordinates for teeth to be collected.
Sandy was confused by the scene as he floated in, but shrugged it off as he drifted over to North.
"No, southeast, not southwest…!" Tooth yelled after a fairy, "…North, what's this about suddenly?"
"I'm sorry my friends, I will explain when Bunny arrives…"
"Let's hear it then," A gruff voice answered.
"Ah!" North turned to the Easter spirit with a pleased look.
He'd been more than a little concerned about whether or not the pooka would come after the fuss two days ago.
"Man in Moon has message for us!" He indicated to the opening in the roof.
They looked to see the bright full moon shining down over them.
"What message?" Aster persisted.
"He would not say," North replied, "It seemed he wanted us all here first."
As if to prove the guardian right, the glow illuminating the floor boards intensified. The four friends circled the light curiously, watching as a point in the centre shone brightest of all.
Quite suddenly, the spot expanded to fill the entire area, momentarily blinding them, until they noticed a scene playing across the floor, like on a cinema screen.
It was like they were flying over a rugged terrain at night. They passed over hills and land deserted of any signs of life, until the image finally slowed, and came to a stop.
"Where is this place?" North mumbled, stepping forward a bit.
"Why is he showing us this?" Tooth added, hovering over the image of a large crevice in the earth.
They waited for something further, but nothing came.
"Manny…" North looked to the moon, "…what is this abo…?"
A scream rang through the whole workshop, freezing everyone in place. It was filled with anger and despair; pure hate of something or someone…
…such emotions shouldn't have been there, but there was no denying whose voice they'd just heard.
"JACK!" Tooth was upon the ground in moments, clawing at the wood, trying to reach the chasm.
Sandy moved to her and took her hand, snapping her out of her panic. He kept hold of her hand, just glad she hadn't ended up making her nails bleed. He looked to North however, golden snowflakes of sand floating above him.
"Yes, Manny has found him…" North whispered.
It was hard to speak through the shock. He could barely keep his own emotions under control, but he couldn't let himself break down, not now!
"Manny! Thankyou my friend, but can you tell us more? I do not recognise this place…" He turned back to the moon.
However, the only answer to come was for the image to disappear. Tooth gasped quietly, but thankfully had calmed enough to just sit back on her heels.
"How do we find him?" She finally spoke, her voice back to the calm, leading tone of the fairy queen, "That place was a long way from people; none of us would've ever had a reason to go there."
Sandy created an image of the full moon, and then a question mark.
"I believe Manny is saying we must figure it out ourselves," North answered as he turned to look at the globe.
His eyebrows bent as he thought hard, searching his own memories for anywhere that might resemble what he'd seen. Tooth had been right; he doubted he'd ever been to a place like it. But as he glanced to the country of Australia, his eyes lit up.
"Or…"
Tooth and Sandy looked to each other, waiting for their friend to speak.
North swung around, an excited expression on his face. As unexpected as the reaction was though, it disappeared quickly, replaced by confusion.
It was like North had been expecting to find something there, only to find nothing.
Sure enough, he began scanning every side of the room.
"Where is Bunny?"
The absence of the usually attention drawing rabbit only now decided to make itself known.
Whilst the others just looked perplexed, North's expression hardened, and an angry, Russian curse slipped from his lips.
"Bunny!" He turned to one of the yetis, "Find that troublesome Pooka!"
Sandy chimed up, demanding an explanation as a group of yetis ran off.
"What does Bunny have to do with this?" Tooth put the question into words.
North breathed out heavily, his gaze not moving from where Bunny had been.
"Manny did not answer, NOT because we must figure it out. No, it is because one of us already knows where to look."
Baby Tooth fluttered forward from Tooth's shoulder, sharing the same shock. She twittered loudly, until Tooth gently took her, and looked to the guardian.
"Maybe he's already gone there then?" She whispered hopefully.
North shook his head regretfully. Sandy made a few images that his friend must've understood.
It is not that he doesn't want to find Jack…" He answered, before his voice dropped, "…it is what else he may discover if he goes looking…"
He heard them searching, but gave no hint to his hiding spot.
"Bunny!"
He ignored the call. He didn't even flinch when he heard a yeti thunder by.
E. Aster Bunnymund had no intention of being found by anyone right now. He'd figured out very quickly what Man in Moon was playing at; that the guardian of hope himself would likely be the only one who could've recognised that place; after all, who knew the layout of the planet better than one of its original creators?
He could still hear that scream echoing through his head. He wanted to forget it, but it wouldn't stop.
All this time he'd ignored the aching the loss of their team mate had caused. He bet his friends sometimes wondered if he even cared. He was a master at hiding his emotions if he didn't want to share, but he still felt them just as well as anyone else.
Man in moon really had a way of coming off cruel sometimes. Now here he was, stuck in a battle with himself, as if Manny thought it all great humour to throw the weight on his shoulders…
…help find Jack, or don't…?
Laughter as free as sunlight broke through the scream in his memory. It was a sound he hadn't heard for a long time, and yet it seemed it had stayed with him, even where other, seemingly more important things had faded over time. His anger faded into something colder…an emotion he was less familiar with handling.
The pooka wrapped his arms tightly around his stomach, sinking to a crouch. He fought to keep his ears from drooping, but it proved a lot harder than the proud guardian would've liked.
"Damn you frostbite…"
The pattern swirled over the rock, whilst a digit traced out the form of a snowman.
So simple but so beautiful, it joined its fellow creations in bringing a smile to their artist's face.
Jack admired his little collection of frost designs; the snowman, a sun, what should've been a rainbow but ended up just like a normal arch, a couple of animals, and the largest of all, the earth.
With a sigh, he rolled onto his back, raising an arm to the wall. With as much strength as his tired body would grant, he pulled the frost globe from the wall, out into a 3D version that slowly rotated above him.
Grinning at his success, he ordered the rest of the designs off the wall. The sun moved around the earth, comically reversing the usual rolls of the celestial spheres. The rainbow wove around the planet like a dancers ribbon, the animals played and chased each other, and the snowman tipped his hat to Jack.
"Having fun?"
Surprise burst apart the beautiful creations. Jack blinked and shook his face as snow trickled down over him, before he sat up and glared.
"I was."
Pitch raised an eyebrow, his frown giving a warning.
Jack glanced around, and pulled his legs closer.
"Sorry…"
Satisfied, Pitch looked away, keeping the frown.
"Why're you here?" Jack looked back firmly, "I'm out of sand."
"Yes, and that issue is being taken care of," Pitch waved off the comment, "Tell me Jack, how long has it been?"
"What?"
"How long has our deal been in effect? Go ahead, take a guess," Now Pitches usual, mocking personality returned, "Oh but, skip the sarcasm this time…"
Jack quickly closed his mouth, locking away the retort that Pitch had seen coming.
Great, so he was getting predictable to?
"I have no idea how long it's been," He answered ruefully.
"Guess," Pitch repeated almost gently.
Swallowing a groan, Jack rolled his eyes and looked to the roof.
"…Five years?"
"Five?" Pitch laughed, "Oh Jack, is it really THAT boring down here?"
Jack just frowned in response. Pitch raised his hands and gave a look that seemed to say 'fair enough'.
"It's only been two."
"Only?"
Jack's frustration boiled over slightly, and he stood.
"I've been stuck down here for only two whole years! Your little lamps are hardly helping me from going blind, I haven't smelt fresh air this whole time, I can barely do anything it's so warm, and I haven't seen real light in too long! Oh yeah, no problem! What's the big deal with putting up with that for only two yea...?"
Before his rant could continue, Jack yelped as pain shot through his shoulder, whilst a hand clenched around his throat. It wasn't so firm that it choked him, but with the pain in his shoulder, it was enough to sedate him.
Pitch's amused look had returned to the annoyed but calm expression. He kept Jack's eyes up and meeting his, and when the boy finally quietened down, he slowly pushed him back to sit on the bed.
"Tantrum over?" He muttered coldly, keeping his hand where it was.
Jacks own hands had instinctively gone to try and remove Pitches grip. Only undesired experience in this situation had stopped him from actually fighting back.
Taking as deep a breath as he was able to, he lowered his arms to his sides. Pitch waited a few more moments to release his grip, and stood tall over the boy.
"My reason for coming, Jack, was actually meant to be a pleasant one."
'For you no doubt.'
"It would seem that perhaps my offer is more of a need than a desire."
Jack glanced up, this time his silence willing.
"You say you want to see the light Jack? To breathe a little fresh air?" Pitch traced his finger over some of the ice lining the wall, "…would that make you happy boy?"
Jack's eyes widened for a second, but he only let his hope rise very slightly.
"…yes."
Pitch must've liked the more placid tone, because his smile returned.
"Then should I make it possible?" He turned back to the boy.
Ready as it had been with a hundred different retorts, Jack's voice now failed him, completely unprepared for this.
"I…I can…"
Dare he say it?
"…go outside?"
Pitch looked amused, the same way he had when he'd taunted the boy with his memories almost three years ago;
He had exactly what the boy wanted, and it was his to toy with.
"For one day, and with a few simple rules of course."
Jacks pride growled a bit at that, but he hushed it sharply.
Pitch didn't miss the short conflict pass over the winter spirits face, and opened his hand out to him. Hesitantly, it was accepted.
"I think you already know the main rule?"
Jacks heart throbbed again, his eyes lowering.
"Don't…let them see me…" He barely managed to whisper.
Pitch suddenly pulled him to his feet, so sharply that Jack's eyes immediately met the nightmare king's firm gaze.
"Remember Jack; that includes the boy…"
He couldn't help the shuddering gasp that escaped him; He'd feared that.
Pitch waited for the boy to nod his agreement, before tilting his face up.
"Secondly; I'm giving you the day Jack, but only the day. Come sunset, my nightmares will find you, and you are to return."
"So that…he won't see me…" Jack mumbled, already knowing the answer.
'I doubt even the Man in the Moon be looking for me anymore…'
"Is there something I'm missing?"
"Missing?"
"Why're you letting me go out? Why now?"
"Oh Jack, you really think me incapable of being nice just because I'm the bogeyman?" Pitch laughed, "As I said, you seem to be quite in need of a break, and although your attitude could use a fair bit of work, you've resisted temptation to leave each and every time, and almost always done what you're told. Call it a reward if you like."
Jack peeked up from under his hoodie.
"And…all I have to do is keep away from the others, and be back by sunset?" He whispered.
Pitch just smiled and gave a wave to say correct.
"T…thankyou…" Jack mumbled after a moment.
He'd had to push the word out, but the gratitude wasn't entirely false.
Pitch must've heard the honest part, because he seemed even more pleased. The back of his fingers brushed over Jacks cheek again, and although he shuddered, this time the boy didn't pull away.
"Best to rest up then Jack, there's still a few hours before dawn."
The nightmare king pushed the blue hood from his head again, making him gasp and look up.
He knew what the man was implying.
"But…I don't have any…"
Had he already forgotten what he'd said about the sand?
Nope, obviously not; Pitch reached under his robe, and pulled out a tiny satchel.
"Always have a backup supply Jack."
Jack looked nervously to the sand; the last couple of nightmares had been some of the worst he'd had…
…but, he was in no position to argue, not if he wanted even a breath of freedom.
He gave a hesitant, but firm nod. Pitch opened the bag and raised it.
Jack's gaze stayed on the floor. Sometimes he still wondered how he'd gotten into this mess.
The thought made his shoulder twinge a little; He hadn't actually noticed the previous pain fade, but he wasn't complaining.
He barely felt the feather light substance rain down over his head. He stared at it from under his lashes, until his eye lids grew too heavy.
Pitchy caught Jacks weight as the boy fell asleep against him. As he did so, his hand shifted the back of the blue jacket, and he allowed his fingers to trail over the cold skin for a moment.
He turned his attention back to the bag in his hand, in which a little sand still remained. His face hardening, he tipped it from his hand. The sand spilt out, but quicker than it could hit the ground, Pitch swiped his hand through it, and the gold changed to black. It was true that a nightmare was strongest when born from an interrupted dream, but that didn't mean fresh sand was useless.
Swirling his hand through the air, it circled around until it formed a new creature; something like a not quite solid, feral cat.
It snarled and hissed, but gave a purr when Pitch petted its head.
"I have two tasks for you," He caught the creature's attention, "First, tell the rest to prepare for the dawn. After that, go and find Karma, keep an eye on her. I've been a little…concerned…about that girl lately. GO!"
The cat gave a growl to accept its order, and took off like a black flash out of the room.
Pitch slowly looked back to Jack. The dream over his head showed the boy skating…or more gliding…freely over ice.
"Let's see now, where shale we begin, Jack?" He whispered, combing his fingers through the white hair, inching towards the beautiful dream.
Yay! Finally caught up to myself :)
As always, sorry for my bad grammar and spelling :P
Again, apologies that there'll be a delay for the next chapter. Hopefully it won't take me TOO long, but I can't say exactly.
Thanks for reading, reviews are loved! see you for the next chapter!