Thank you so much my first reviewers and also those who added this story to their favorites/alerts. You have no idea how happy it made me. Anyway, here's the next chapter, hope you'll like it.

Chapter 2

The Child's Play

Pitch didn't consider it when he took Jack under his care. His fearlings were very interested in Jack, they liked to feed on his fear and although Pitch had forbidden them to give the child nightmares, they didn't obey. They grew in strength by feeding on his nightmares and Pitch couldn't say that it didn't strengthen him too. So at first he just let them to give the boy some bad dreams, after all he was always there to comfort Jack as the young sprite woke up in the middle of night calling for him. Though it was weird to call the Nightmare King for comfort after having a bad dream, it didn't matter. For Jack, Pitch was someone who would always be there to care for him and he felt save in his arms.

After some time, the Nightmare King realized that the nightmares were weakening the frost child, who wasn't so cheerful and lively as he used to be. So in order to help Jack, not once did he take the child's nightmares for himself, barely getting any sleep. At least the fearlings left the boy to have a peaceful sleep. Pitch didn't know why, but he couldn't see Jack suffering. Was he getting back to the person he used to be, before he became the Nightmare King?

At first, he thought that the frost child could be a good weapon against the Guardians. He hasn't expected that he would become Jack's father figure. After all those years spent together, he started to love Jack like his own son. Wanting the child to have a peaceful sleep he even stole some dreamsand from Sandy. It appeared to be very useful, Pitch soon learnt how to turn the golden sand into the black one. Now it was time for him to change another's work into his own creation. Soon he started to do some creations from the nightmare sand which took the shape of horses. They were quite scary, black and had golden eyes just like their creator. As Jack quickly got used to their presence he wasn't scared of them anymore so they didn't try to feed on his fear.

Jack Frost was the most irresponsible, lively and pulling-pranks child on the world. If you spend much time with the boy then your life motto would become 'expect the unexpected'. The snowball-battles, frozen water pipes, iced streets and snowstorms, the credit goes for Jack. Even though he and Pitch travelled a lot they always came back to the same place under which's was located Pitch's lair, palace, realm or whatever to call that. It was the Burgess city, after many years Jack gained a generation of believers, Bennett family, who lived there. How he loved to play with the Bennett kids. When in Burgess there was winter-time he would always go and play with his best friend Jamie. It didn't matter if it was a snow-battle or battle against monsters in Jamie's games, they always had fun together.

If there was a warm climate in Burgess, Jack and Pitch would travel to a colder place. Jack couldn't wait till the climate in Burgess got colder, so he could bring snow and play with his friend. The problem was that Jack, being a frost child, couldn't stand the heat on summer or spring days, that's why he had to stay in the dark palace for the whole days if they haven't moved to a colder place.

Now was one of those days when Pitch had to go and spread his nightmares over the world, leaving Jack in his lair for a few days. The boy hated to be alone, but unfortunately he couldn't leave the realm, not only because it was warm outside but also it was for his safety. On his first days with Pitch, Jack was told the rules of going out. He couldn't talk with anyone, not that somebody would notice him, and he couldn't go outside alone when it was night because he could meet the Sandman. Also, he couldn't be out for the whole day and couldn't do anything that could bring other sprites' attention. Fortunately those rules quickly changed as Jack gained Pitch's trust. Now he could spend whole days outside, and pull some of his pranks. Pitch knew that he had to give the teenager some freedom. After all, you have to learn on your own mistakes.

And Jack did. Three times, to be exact. The first time was on a cold winter night, Christmas night. Jack was playing witch his stuff, waiting for Pitch to finish spreading his nightmares in Burgess, when he noticed a man with a huge bag hanging on his shoulder, jumping into the chimneys only to jump out of them a minute later. His childish curiosity took over and he followed the man jumping into a chimney.

Jack watched quietly as the man in red cloak placed few boxes under a beautiful decorated Christmas tree. The men had long white beard , his eyes pure blue and had a warm smile on his face. So he gives children presents? He seems nice. Jack thought. Then the man looked directly at him.

"What are you doing here, boy?" The man with beard asked. He had a Russian accent.

"Y-you can see me?" Jack asked taking few steps back.

"Hey, hey, don't be afraid, of course I can see you" The man said, his voice soft. However Jack became more scared. Pitch had told him about other sprites that can see each other, they are dangerous and Jack should keep away from them. The boy made his way through the chimney back to roof. If this large man was one of those dangerous sprites then he had to protect his city. What if the man would harm Jamie? The boy put on a brave face and turned to the Russian who jumped out of the chimney.

"Okay, listen, this is my city and I won't let you hurt these people" Jack said sternly.

"Clam down, boy, I mean no harm. Haven't you heard about Christmas?"

"No. Now leave or I'll…" Jack said but couldn't find the right words, so he just held up his staff.

"Now you listen, don't try to ruin my holiday, I told you that I won't harm these people, got it?" The man said already annoyed and jumped on other roof. Jack didn't give up though and followed him.

"I warned you" The boy said. The Russian man frowned and took his sword as to scare the boy, so he wouldn't interrupt.

"So did I. Look, I have to bring presents to all the children, I don't have time for this. Now go back to home" He said in warning tone. Jack decided that he shouldn't get in the old man's way, and finally believing that he wouldn't hurt the people, he went back to Pitch.

"Why are you so upset, my boy?" Pitch asked as he saw Jack's sad face.

"Oh, nothing. I just met a sprite who could see me. I thought that he wanted to harm the people, but he said he didn't and told me to not interrupt him. He was quite scary when he pulled out his sword. He won't do anything bad to the kids, will he?" Jack asked raising his tearful eyes. Pitch pulled him into an embrace and Jack buried his face in his adoptive father's chest. The Nightmare King knew that it was this time of the year when the old man, called by many names, came in night to bring presents to good children.

"It was Nicholas St. North, also called Santa Claus, Father Christmas and North. He brings presents to good children and in exchange he gains their belief. A pathetic way to be believed in"

"And what does he do to those who were naughty?" Jack asked.

"He places them on the naughty list and brings them coal. Those children are so disappointed when they wake up expecting presents"

"That's not fair" Jack stated not wanting to meet North ever again.

The next time when Jack's curiosity led him into not nice adventure happened at night when he wanted to see a tooth fairy Jamie had told him about when he lost his tooth. What he found was a little fairy who took a tooth from under Jamie's pillow replacing it with a coin. Jack hid behind the window and caught baby tooth as it flew outside. It wasn't really a good idea. Especially when the fairy called her siblings for help and they started attacking the white-haired boy.

"Hey, hey, I meant no harm. Please, stop!" Jack said as the little fairies were pecking him in his head. "Who would have thought that something so small might be so annoying"

With Easter bunny it was completely different story. The rabbit was the worst of all of the Guardians. Not once has he yelled at Jack and accused of destroying his holiday. Not that Jack did something that could ruin Easter. It all began when Jack accidently froze the park and Bunnymund slipped on it smashing the eggs on his head.

"What do you think are you doing, mate?!" he yelled at Jack who was sitting on a tree's branch laughing uncontrollably.

"Having fun" Jack replied.

"You'd better not get into my way ever again" Bunny said narrowing his eyes.

"Because of what, I'll get hit by an egg, Easter kangaroo?" Jack teased.

"I'm a bunny, mate. And what are ya? An ice cube with legs and arms?" Bunnymund teased back. This time Jack was the one to narrow his eyes. "Now go away or I'll make ya" The rabbit said getting into fighting position.

"You don't know what fun is" Jack said rolling his eyes and with that he called the wind and flew away.

Every Easter was the same, as much as Jack wanted to avoid the rabbit he would always do accidently something that would cause a trouble, like freezing eggs or making it snow above Bunny's head. They always ended up quarreling.

It was Easter Sunday '68 when Jack wanted to get the revenge on rabbit. He watched as the Pooka placed eggs around Burgess. He flew through the sky and caused a snow-storm. Then he landed on a tree watching the confused rabbit as the blizzard covered with snow the whole city.

"What the.." Bunny said and moved his long rabbit ears hearing someone's laughter. He looked up and found the young sprite laughing on a branch. He kicked the tree and Jack fell down into the snow.

"How dare you to cause snow on Easter? It's spring, mate!" The Pooka said looking down at the boy.

"Now you see what happens when you mess with Jack Frost" Jack said standing up and dusting himself off the snow.

"Do you want to find out what happens when ya mess with E. Aster Bunnymu…" Bunny never got to finish his sentence as the snowball flew right into his face. "Oh, ya're gonna regret it, mate!" He said ready to hit Jack. Fortunately a veil of black sand appeared between them so Jack didn't get punched.

"Now, why don't you go and play with your eggs, Aster?" A velvety voice said. The surprised Pooka quickly turned his attention to the Nightmare King and narrowed his eyes.

"Pitch Black" He said and stamped on the ground witch his large feet to open a tunnel back to his realm.

"Have you seen his face?" Jack said laughing uncontrollably, holding his chest. Then he looked up at the Nightmare King who remained serious.

"Blizzard on Easter Sunday, Jack?"

"Well, I just wanted to pull a prank on the silly rabbit for yelling at me" Jack said rubbing the back of his head. Maybe it was already too childish for him. But to his surprise, Pitch wasn't angry about making it snow in spring, instead the Nightmare King started laughing as well.

"Very good prank, my boy" He said putting an arm around Jack's shoulders and ruffling his hair.

…

Being alone in the nightmare realm was the most boring thing ever, but at least Jack would always find a way to have fun. After some time the Nightmares finally learnt to listen to him, and Jack could play with them. He remembered when Pitch was trying to teach him how to ride one of the scary horses.

"Just hold onto the horse and try to keep the balance" Pitch said holding Jack who was sitting on now his favorite Nightmare whom he named Kerrin*. "Just try not to fall. Ready?"

"Try not to fall? And how am I supposed to do that?" Jack hesitated and Pitch sighed letting go of him.

"See? You haven't fallen yet" The Nightmare King said watching Jack who clung to the horse's back. "Now, take the reins and you would be able to guide the Nightmare"

Jack hesitantly took the reins and shook it. The horse snorted and moved forward. Jack, seeing that it wasn't that bad, smiled and signaled for the Nightmare to gallop faster. Then he did a round around the lights-globe and the horse galloped through the dark palace.

"Jack, it's your first try, slow down a little" Pitch warned the young frost spirit.

"Oh come on, what bad can happe..." Jack never got to finish his sentence, as he had his moment of inattention and fell from the black horse. If Pitch hadn't caught him, he would have hit the ground and hurt himself badly. "Ok, I was wrong. Lesson learnt" Jack admitted. He was a stubborn sprite, though, and he tried to ride the horse as many times as he finally learnt doing it well and he knew that Pitch was proud of him.

Now he was sitting on Pitch's throne in the throne room, witch his head down and his legs up, it was his lazy-and-bored-pose. He hated it when his adoptive father had to leave him for several days to spread nightmares. It was too warm for Jack to leave the realm. But there were also the good sides of the days like those. He would always get some crazy ideas to have fun. And now was the time when he got one of those. A grin appeared on his pale face and he hopped off the throne.

He made his way to a big chest that was lying by the wall. It was a store, with many weapons, armors and this stuff. He took out a boomerang and smiled mischievously. With his staff he changed the opposite wall into a mirror and stood before it. Then he put on an angry face and frowned.

"Don't ya dare to touch my eggs, mate. I am the best egg-decorator on the world!" He said in Aussie accent and pretending to be Bunnymund. Then he put back the boomerang and laughed "Oh, if only the rabbit could see me… his face expression would be epic!"

Then he took a big coat, definitely too big for him and a sword. With He put on a serious face and tried to imitate a Russian accent.

"I will bring you a coal if you don't behave. You'd better be good, beware or I'll hit you with my snow globe!"

He studied himself in the mirror for a minute. He wondered what Pitch would think if he had seen him act so childish. The he grinned again getting new devilish idea. He walked towards the box and found a black robe, just like the one that Pitch wore. Then he turned back to the mirror. The robe was definitely too long for him and he almost tripped over it. He had to admit it, he looked quite funny. It was normal for small kids to wear their parents' clothes and pretend to be them. He remembered when Jamie put on his father's cloak, he looked hilarious. But Jack, he was a teenager, wasn't he too old for that? Well, for him it didn't matter.

"Boo" he said pretending to be the boogeyman and the Nightmares standing nearby snorted, which pretty much sounded like laughter.

Not taking off the robe, he walked through the hall to the room he called a fun-room. There was so much space and he would always take advantage of that. By the way, it was one of very few rooms he knew how to get to. After those years spent in the palace it was still a maze for him, and that's what he liked the most about it. The only ways he was sure about were the ways to his room, fun-room, Pitch's room and throne room.

He took some of Pitch's black sand and threw it, standing on the highest step of the stars. Before the sand fell down, Jack had frozen it and nodded for the Nightmares who knew what to do. They threw more sand so jack could freeze it into some kind of a bridge. Then he stepped on his 'bridge' and before he could slid on it by his free will, he tripped over the black robe he was wearing and slid like on a big slide. The Nightmares kept on throwing the sand so the slide wouldn't end.

"This is my best idea ever!" Jack said laughing while he slid above the whole lair. "Wait, wait, what are you doing?" He said as the Nightmares decided to mess with him a little, changing the direction of the slide into many turns. "Okay, okay, it's funny but stop before I get lost. Or throw up" Jack protested while sliding through some rooms. He couldn't stop freezing the sand because it wouldn't end without some bruises, so he was trapped sliding. A dream of every child, didn't seem as funny right now. They approached the stairs and that was when they finally stopped the black sand and Jack couldn't lengthen the slide. Before he could react, he was rolling on the stairs, getting hit on every step. How thankful he was when he finally stopped downstairs and sat on the floor.

"Ow, that wasn't nice. Stupid Nightmares" he said rubbing his head. He would have several bruises for sure.

"Jack, are you alright?" He heard Pitch's fatherly voice and turned around.

"Pitch, you're back!" Jack exclaimed and threw himself into Pitch's arms. "I'm fine, only few bruises"

"Jack, what were you thinking? If you were a mortal you would have broken you neck. You must be more responsible, don't do that ever again" He lectured his adoptive son.

"Everything was fine… until the Nightmares wanted to mess it up a little"

"I'll deal with them later" Pitch said and looked at Jack. "Now, why are you wearing my robe?"

"Oh, err… I was cold" Jack said and laughed nervously. He completely forgot about the robe.

"A frost sprite was cold? Sure" Pitch chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair. "Don't be a liar, snowflake"

"Apparently, kids learn from those who raise them" Jack said crossing his arms.

"Of course, blame me" Pitch said and pulled Jack back into an embrace, kissing his forehead, while Jack buried his face in his chest listening to his heartbeat. The boy was definitely the best thing to happen to him.

*Kerrin – the name's origin is Gaelic and means 'dark'. Again, sorry for any grammar mistakes. And sorry but I can't write Aussie or Russian accent.

Well, this chapter may be quite long, it was part of a prologue. I needed it to be written before I get to the plot. Thanks for reading, I hope to get some reviews which I love.

Btw, every 10th reviewer (10th, 20th, 30th,40th … you know what I mean) gets a dedication :).

Also, I hope you enjoyed Jack pretending to be the guardians scene. You probably noticed that tooth wasn't included, I just couldn't imagine Jack acting like a fairy XD.