I'm back! I honestly didn't expect to get any reviews on the first chapter so I was a bit surprised. I thought it was going to take a couple of weeks or something before I got a review or something so I was in a bit of shock when I noticed I had reviews and even some favorites. Hopefully I can keep up with your expectations.
EDITED VERSION. This chapter had lots of errors and the dialogue was hard to understand because of the lack of spacing so I went back and fixed it. Everything stayed the same I just fixed some details.
Takes place when the movie starts.
Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians.
Present time
His arms ached as he carried the cages but he didn't dare slow down. He already knew what would happen if he did. A shiver ran down his back at the thought of the consequences. No he couldn't not if he valued his life. His footsteps made no noise as he hurried down the wet clammy steps.
Faintly he wondered where his master was. He had been pleased the last couple of days. Gleeful about something but what? He had no idea. The day before Pitch had been ranting about how he would finally destroy the Guardians. He had been cowering behind him trying to make himself as small as possible when Pitch had mentioned the Guardians.
Pitch had twirled around explaining to him that it was finally time for him to rule. For the Guardians to feel like what it was not to be believed in. He had been so happy that he had thrown the cages at him telling him to go hang them. There hadn't been any insults or hits thrown at him. He knew from experience that it was a bad thing for Pitch to be happy. Nothing good ever came out of it.
It usually meant that something bad was going to happen. What exactly was going to happen? He had no idea. Pitch never informed him of his plans, and he never asked unless he was strictly told to. Yet he couldn't help the curiosity at what the cages were for. They were meant to hold something, that much was clear to him.
As he stretched over to where to the cages were going to hang he pushed the curiosity out of his mind. Carefully he dangled from the edge before stretching his arm out as far as it would go before hooking the cage. He worked carefully but efficiently placing all the cages that were next to him. Once he finished he jumped down to retrieve the rest of the cages.
He had to finish with the cages today or Pitch would have his skin. He never really needed a valid excuse to beat him but he took more pleasure when he did. Unconsciously he gently touched the place where Pitch had punched him a few days ago when he had tripped and fallen in front of him. Needless to say he had been kicked around and was now sporting a black eye that was swollen to the point where he could barely see from it.
Jack was just glad that he was gone as he had accidently dropped a cage from the top of the staircase. As the cage went down the steps he had almost hyperventilated. When he had realized that Pitch wasn't there to attack him he had shakily made his way down the stairs to where the cage had rolled to a stop.
There hadn't been any damage done but he had made sure to carry only two cages at a time to insure he didn't drop them. As he walked back his eyes found themselves drawn to a light. He cocked his head to the side as the light caught his attention. Glancing around to make sure there weren't any Nightmares around he hesitantly walked towards the tunnel. As he got closer he realized that this specific tunnel lead outside.
He knew he should just ignore the light and continue with the chores that he had been assigned to but he couldn't help but feel compelled. Jack swallowed the lump in his throat before stepping forward. He kept walking until the tunnel started angling up. Stopping he watched the light. All he could see was the white light that shined down partially covered by the bedpost. Beyond that he couldn't see anything else.
He tilted his head to the side wondering what it looked up there. What would it feel like to fly again? To feel the wind through his hair? To see colors for a change, the bright colors that lacked down here? Or maybe something else that wasn't the same old black, and grey.
He felt his hand tingle before frost shot out covering the wall that his hand had been on. His eyes widened in horror. Panicked he scrubbed at the wall trying to get the frost off but with no avail. More panic formed as more frost shot out covering the wall in elegant swirls.
The last time he had made frost was when Pitch had almost broken his ankle. The ice had shot out around him, almost protectively, taking Pitch by surprise. He had been beyond furious, chaining him to the wall and whipping him viciously. After that he had learned how to control his powers.
He had no idea why the frost was forming, or worse why he couldn't seem to control it. His breaths came more quickly as he backed into the corner. He was so busy panicking he never noticed Pitch step out of a shadow.
"Frosty?" Jack felt his heart skip a beat. He looked over seeing Pitch standing with his arms crossed. The look Pitch was sending him was enough to make tremble. After a couple of seconds Pitch strolled forward.
The action itself made him flinch but Pitch ignored him instead focusing on the frost that now decorated the wall. Pitch raised a hand grazing the frost with his finger before making a disapproving noise.
"Now Jack what have I told you about making frost?" Pitch's voice turned cold.
He lowered his head. Pitch rarely used his name and when he did it was usually when he was about to get punished, and he knew what kind of punishment he was going to get.
When he didn't answer Pitch walked over to where he was. He grabbed a fistful of his hair yanking his head up so they were staring at each other.
"I asked you a question and I expect an answer! What have I told you about using your powers?" Pitch growled.
He opened his mouth but all the words seemed to get stuck in his throat. His tongue felt like it was made out of lead. When Pitch's expression seemed to get darker he managed to choke out a sentence.
"N-not al-allowed." Pitch pulled his hair even tighter making him cringe.
"Exactly. Now would you care to explain what you were doing over here so close to the exit? Don't tell me you were planning on escaping. Now that truly hurts my feelings." The mockness in his voice was clear. "Jack I thought you were more intelligent than that but I guess not. Then again what can I expect from a useless thing like you?"
Pitch shook his head. "You didn't even have the decency to finish the job I assigned you."
There was a tense silence as Pitch simply stared at him. He seemed to be looking for something. Finally after a couple of minutes Pitch let go of his hair only to grab his arm in an iron grip.
"I guess I'm going to have to teach you a lesson so you learn to finish your job, and not wonder around." Pitch paid no attention to him as he dragged him. Without any warning he threw him to the ground next to the globe.
He crawled to all fours as his breath hitched. The shining lights in front of him seemed to glaring at him, mocking him, warning him of the abuse he was going to receive. Pitch's feet came into his line of sight.
"Look at you. You're a pathetic sight to hold. No wonder nobody ever believed in you. How could they when you're nothing." Pitch sneered at him. There was no mercy with his words as Pitch continued with his verbal assault. Each word, each insult was as sharp as a blade. A blade that was dipped in poison as it cut deep.
His shoulders jerked as he tried to stop a sob from escaping his lips. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes as he looked at the ground. He knew that Pitch was looking at him. It was only matter of time before Pitch would start hitting him. This was Pitch's routine. Tormenting him verbally until he grew tired before he actually started hurting him. Hurting him until he deemed that he learned his lesson or he got bored.
Without warning Pitch's foot connected with his shoulder making him fly backwards. A grunt escaped his lips as pain blossomed from his shoulder. He barely had time to blink before another kick hit him in the ribs. All the air rushed out of him leaving him gasping. He curled in on himself trying to protect his vulnerable stomach.
"Again with trying to protect yourself Jack? You know how much I hate it." When he didn't answer Pitch bent down by his side. "Are you ignoring me now?"
The voice taunted him but he refused to look up. He didn't want to see Pitch's grin, or the way that his eyes were so cruel. He knew that he was only making it worse but he was too terrified of looking into those eyes.
He heard Pitch growl obviously annoyed that he was ignoring him. A second later he let out a cry as Pitch pulled his head up before smashing it against the ground. Without any hesitation Pitch raised his head before slamming it against the ground again. This time a loud crack echoed through the air as he felt his nose break. His vision blurred for a second as pain overclouded his senses.
Still dazed from the pain he barely realized that Pitch had hauled him up. He had only a second to stick his arms out as he was thrown down the steps. His head bounced off the steps as he rolled down them. Finally he rolled down the last step before stopping a few feet away. Letting out a cough he brought his shaking hand to his face. He could feel something wet dripping from his nose to his lips leaving the familiar metallic taste. Jack wiped the liquid away and he didn't have to look at his hand to know that it was covered in red.
Immediately more blood ran down his nose. He could faintly hear Pitch laughing. A rush of memories came back at the laughter. His breath hitched as Pitch disappeared. He looked around frantically trying to find Pitch. Seconds passed by and it took all his will power not to hyperventilate. He knew Pitch was messing with him.
He was still looking around when something wrapped itself around his ankle. He let out a cry as a shadow wrapped itself around his ankle before pulling him. Jack slid across the floor his hoodie the only thing stopping him from scraping all his skin off. That didn't stop him from feeling all the bumps, and steps there were.
As Pitch kept dragging him he realized where he was heading. He was going to the room where Pitch usually left him after beating him. A room that he had spent countless nights in fear, and pain.
Finally he came to a stop in front of the room. His back ached, and throbbed but he knew that was nothing compared to what was going to happen. Finally deciding to show himself Pitch appeared making him flinch. His mere presence was enough to make him panic. The corner of Pitch's mouth curled into a smile which only meant more pain for him.
"Oh, Jack. I love that fear you radiate. So powerful." Pitch mused as he nudged him with the heel of his foot.
He winced as his nose flared in pain. As the air next to him shifted he clamped his eyes shut. Slender fingers wrapped themselves around his chin. He didn't want to see those eyes that always haunted him in his nightmares. They were always so cold, so void emotion. The same emotion that made him human. Instead those eyes were full of anger that seemed to roll in waves at him with a hatred that ran deep in his veins.
It was always the last thing he saw, piercing emotionless eyes before everything went black.
Look at me Jack." He grunted when Pitch's sharp nails pierced his skin drawing little beads of blood, but he still refused to open his eyes. The nails dug even deeper when he didn't open his blue irises. He knew he was only making Pitch madder but he didn't want to see those eyes.
A second later the pressure around his chin vanished only to be replaced by Pitch grabbing his nose in an iron grip. He let out a scream, his eyes flying open as he tried to get rid of the offending fingers that were digging cruelly into his broken nose.
"That's right scream all you want because I haven't even started with you." Pitch's amused voice reached his ears as he let go.
Another sharp kick hit him straight in the stomach. He let out a choked breath but didn't have any time to recover before more kicks rained down on him. He drew his arms to his face trying to protect it. Curling in on himself did little protect from Pitch's kicks.
"How about a couple of broken bones? Do you think that'll help you learn your lesson?" Pitch laughed.
Grunts, and heaves were the only sounds he made as he was kicked around without mercy. His whole chest was sending waves of pain along with his back. Jack didn't know how long he continued until a sickening crack was heard as one of Pitch's stronger kicks finally broke a rib. He let out a scream as pain raced up his side. A grin formed on Pitch's face at the sound.
Ignoring his scream Pitch kept kicking him until another crack echoed through the air. Another scream tore through his throat. As his scream died off he let out a small whimper. His eyes burned as tears started to form.
"That one was louder than the first." Pitch observed.
His vision danced with dots but he managed to see Pitch tilt his head. A second later Pitch called for his sand. The sand swirled in his palm before it slowly started forming in the shape of a scythe. For a moment he stilled completely forgetting about the pain as he stared at the object in his hand.
Was he really going to use that? A new found terror crawled into his mind as he tried to move away from Pitch. He only managed to stretch his arms out a bit before pain blossomed in his chest. He let out a cry and wrapped his arm around his side. His heart was pounding so hard he was sure at any moment it would jump out of his chest. Pitch watched him for a moment before growing bored.
The edge of the scythe seemed to shine. It's edge danced dangerously in the light. The sharpness seemingly grinning at him. He screamed when he raised the weapon before bringing it down. His mind panicking as he imagined his leg being cut off. Blood squirting out drenching him in his own blood as he bled out.
Instead of hearing a slicing sound a loud thud was heard. The blunt edge of the scythe hit him straight in the thigh. He let out a blood curling scream as he felt something snap. The edges of his vision started to darken.
He never noticed Pitch raise the scythe again until something hit him straight in the head. He let out a grunt feeling brief pain in his head before he was enveloped in darkness.
Bunny stopped dead in his tracks. "Jack Frost's a lot of things but he's not a Guardian!"
The rest of his opinion was cut off as a loud ringing rang through the room. He turned around looking at Sandy who had an elf in his hand again. He heard North chuckle as he dropped the poor dazed elf on the floor before symbols appeared over his head. Bunny's eyes narrowed as he deciphered the meaning.
"What do you mean you haven't heard anything from Jack in a while?" Tooth's voice now held a nervous edge to it as she stared at him and North. North's eyebrows were scrunched together in confusion.
"Don't worry sheila, it's probably a good thing." He immediately got scolded by Tooth.
"Bunny, don't say stuff like that!" Sandy nodded agreeing with Tooth. More images appeared over his head. It took him a moment to understand what Sandy was saying.
"You haven't seen him at all? Not even once? You know flying or messing around?" He asked a bit wary. When Sandy shook his head he frowned. Now that he thought about it Jack never had messed with Easter after the blizzard incident.
"When was the last time you saw him?" Tooth asked as he hovered nervously.
Sandy frowned thinking about the question before finally answering. The number '68 appeared over his head. He nearly choked as he saw the number. He looked away from them swallowing as he tried to reassure himself that it was just a coincidence. Yet he couldn't get the anguished yell he had heard out of his mind.
"Bunny!" He felt somebody shake his shoulder bringing him out of his daze. With a start he realized all the Guardians were staring at him. A bit sheepishly he asked, "Sorry, what?"
Tooth laid her hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay Bunny? You suddenly spaced out. We called your name but you weren't responding."
Bunny brushed her off. "I'm fine. I was just thinking about the year Sandy said he last saw him. That was the same year he made the blizzard, and the last time I saw him."
By now all of them were donning the same worried expression. North stroked his beard before walking back to where the gem still glowed showing Jack.
"We shall ask Manny?" He suggested. Bunny glanced at the other two Guardians. They all nodded. "All right. Manny could you tell us what happened to Jack Frost?"
Bunny had to ignore the urge to tap his foot impatiently as he waited to see if they were even going to receive an answer. Just when it seemed the moon was going to ignore them a light shined on the floor in front of them. Everything around them got blocked out as they focused on the light.
Shadows merged before showing the image of Bunny standing a few feet away from Jack. The Guardians glanced at him.
"It was when he made the blizzard. I confronted him that day in the forest." The image swirled again this time showing the image of Pitch. Tooth gasped besides him. He could feel the dread creeping in as the image disorientated again. This time the image showed Pitch holding the unmistakable image of Jack.
"Oh my god! Does that mean Pitch has Jack?" Tooth was the first one to react. "We have to go find Jack!"
She hovered around frantically until North grabbed her by the shoulders. "Tooth do not worry. We will go find Jack. First thing we should do is go to the place where he was abducted."
North turned to him. "Bunny you can take us to the place?"
Bunny nodded trying to shake off the guilt he was feeling. Pitch had Jack, which meant that he hadn't saved him that day. He hadn't thought anything of the scream he had heard. He should have known that type of panic, the way his voice had sounded so scared, couldn't be faked but he hadn't seen anything. There hadn't been any sign that a struggle had broken out or anything to suggest an abduction had happened.
He had assumed that Jack had made a joke on him but what if he hadn't. What if he had been wrong? Had he truly let Pitch get away with something like that?
"To the sleight!" North announced interrupting his thoughts.
Bunny raised an eyebrow. There was no way he was going on that. No, if he was going to lead the way he was going his way. Something safe that assured him he wasn't going to fall out mid-trip.
"If I'm leading you're going my way." He smirked as he saw North's eyes widen as he tapped his foot. The ground below him vanished as one of his holes opened up. His ears picked up North yelling out something but it was cut off as he fell down the tunnel. With practiced ease he slid through the tunnel before jumping out a couple seconds later.
He grinned as he helped North up. North gave him a half hearted glare before falling to the floor muttering something about land. Bunny ignored him instead watching Tooth, and Sandy float up after North.
"Is this the place?" Tooth questioned as she looked around.
Bunny nodded shivering slightly. "Let's split up and look around. Holler if you find anything."
They all nodded even though they all knew that it was unlikely that they would really find anything. Tooth looked down at Sandy who had raised his hand.
Bunny chuckled. "Tooth you mind going with Sandy, you know in case he finds anything?"
Tooth nodded smiling as Sandy raised his thumbs up agreeing with him. With that they took off. He glanced around noticing that the place looked almost exactly the same as it had all those years ago. The snow was melting but the scene looked beautiful. He could still remember exactly what had happened that day. How he had yelled at Jack without letting the poor kid speak. More guilt formed as he remembered. Pushing those thoughts out of his mind he concentrated on looking around.
He had only searched a small area when he heard Tooth's yell. Bunny turned around running quickly. He reached them in a couple of seconds. North was already standing by Tooth, and Sandy. As he approached them he noticed that Sandy was crouched down by something. Tooth looked up at him sadly before lowering her gaze. As he crouched down by Sandy North muttered something that made his heart stop.
"It's true. Pitch captured him."
His eyes caught Sandy's warm ones. Smiling reassuringly at him Sandy motioned to the floor. With some hesitation Bunny looked down at what he was pointing at. A flat rock sat in the middle of a patch of melting snow but that wasn't what caught his attention. On the surface of the rock was a picture made in frost that showed Pitch holding Jack. He touched the picture only to gasp when the frost shattered.
The frost floated up spinning in a circle before exploding. Little pieces of white settled softly on the ground. Bunny glanced back at the other Guardians. That type of magic only belonged to one person. He closed his eyes before opening them again. Determination shining in them. He might have let Pitch take Jack but he was going to make sure he rescued Jack.
North's face was grim. "We have another problem now. We have to find Jack as soon as possible."
The rest was unspoken but he knew everybody had caught it.
Before it's too late.
Another chapter done! This isn't Bunny's full reaction. He doesn't know how bad Pitch has been treating Jack. He just knows that he's in his hold but he doesn't know the full comprehension of what Jack's been living through. You'll have to wait until they see Jack for the full reaction. Thanks for reading. Until next time.