I want to dedicate this chapter to Dreamshade Waters – my 10th reviewer. Thank you! :)

Happy Valentine's Day my dear readers!

Chapter 4

The Playing For Time

Pitch walked through the streets of Burgess looking for Jack. He sent his Nightmares and Fearlings to look for the boy but yet none of them have returned. On the one side he was worried, on the other he was angry. Why was the boy so irresponsible? He only had to return before the night, that's what happens when you trust him too much. But, what if something bad happened? Pitch sighed. Since when has he become so soft… caring? As if he was getting back to his old self… No. Never. The past is in the past.

As he walked he stepped on something and looked down at his feet. It was a staff… Jack's staff. He raised it and looked around, no sign of Jack. The frost sprite would have never left the staff, which meant that something bad had to happen. Someone had to kidnap him and the only people that could have done it were…

…The Guardians…

He frowned and wrapped the shadows around him, soon he would attack the Tooth Palace, and whether the Guardians wanted or not they would have to bring Jack. The anger and worry rose within him. They will pay for that… But why did they kidnap Jack? Pitch made sure that none of them knew that the boy was under his care. Except for…

Bunnymund…

The Guardians turned their attention at two Yetis who have just come out of a portal. They put a red bag on the floor, something was struggling inside. The elves came closer and looked inside. Jack finally managed to get a look at the place he was dragged to. What he saw was a large man with white beard, the same he saw a long time ago. The man opened his arms and smiled warmly. He didn't look as dangerous as Jack remembered.

"There he is!" He said with his Russian accent "Jack Frost!"

"Wow" Jack managed to whisper. Was he really at the North Pole? In North's workshop? That was unexpected. Jamie told him many stories about this place and how much he wanted to visit it. But what did they want from Jack. He shivered, they didn't want to get revenge did they? Pitch told him that he had many enemies who could use Jack against him. "You've gotta be kidding me… Hey, put me down!" he jelled as he was grabbed by the Yeti again and raised from the bag.

"Hope the Yetis treated you well" North said and Yetis put Jack down dusting him off. Jack looked around in search of his staff but he never found it, which made him even more scared. He couldn't show it though, so he decided to act as if he didn't really care about his enemies' presence. A trick that Pitch taught him. Playing for time.

"Yeah, I love being thrown into a bag and tossed through a magic portal"

"Good, that was my idea" North said and laughed, then he pointed at Bunnymund "You know Bunny, obviously. And the Tooth fairy" he said as Toothiana approached them.

"Jack, I heard a lot about you. And your teeth!"

"My-my what?" Jack asked confused.

"Open your mouth, are they really as white as they say?" She said and opened his mouth to take a look at his teeth. "Oh, they really do sparkle like freshly fallen snow"

"And Sandman" North continued and pointed towards Sandy, who was sound asleep floating above the floor "Sandy? Sandy, wake up!" he said patting the golden sprite on shoulder.

"Um, anyone tell me why I'm here?" Jack asked. Sandy tried to explain by showing some signs above his head which wasn't really helpful.

"Um, that's not really helping, but thanks anyway" Jack said and walked through the room "I must have done something really bad that the big four is here together. Am I on the naughty list?"

"On naughty list?" North laughed "You hold a record. But it doesn't matter now"

"How come?" Jack asked. Seriously, he had no idea why they wanted him there. And why were they so nice.

"How come? I tell you how come! Because now you are Guardian!" North said throwing his arms into the air. The elves started playing the trumpets, Yetis were holding torches, from the ceiling were hanging some flags like for a special occasion and little tooth fairies brought a colorful necklace which Jack had no intention to wear. He stepped back but two Yetis grabbed him and pushed forward. North carefully took an old book from a Yeti and cleared his throat. That was enough, Jack yelled 'stop' so everyone could hear it clearly.

"What makes you think I wanna be a guardian?" Jack said. There was no way he would become one of them, never ever. Not only that it wasn't something for him, what would Pitch say? He shivered at the thought. No, he would never become one of those who Pitch hates the most. But why did they want him to be a Guardian? His thoughts were interrupted by North's laughter.

"Of course you do" he said "Music!" he ordered the elves to play.

"No music!" Jack said making a resentful elf walk out. Not that he cared. "It all is really flattering, but you don't want me. You're hard work and deadlines, and I am snowballs and fun times" He said walking on a wooden desk with buttons on it. "I not a Guardian"

"That's exactly what I said" Bunny kicked in hoping to get rid of the frost sprite as soon as they could.

"Jack, I don't think you understand what it is we do" Toothiana said and flew towards the globe "Each of these lights is a child"

"A child who believes" North nodded "And good or bad, naughty or nice, we protect them. Okay, no more of this chatter, Pitch's out there doing no one knows what"

Jack blinked. Has North just said Pitch? He meant Pitch Black, didn't he? They couldn't really think that he would stand against his care-taker. What if they didn't know that he was with Pitch… But Bunny saw them. It was all so weird, he needed to get out of there.

"Wait, you mean the boogeyman?" Jack wanted to make sure. If they didn't know that he was under the Nightmare King's care than he could use it against them.

"Yes. If Pitch threatens us, he threatens them as well" North said pointing at the globe.

"Pick someone more qualified" Jack said over his shoulder.

"Pick? You think we pick? No, you were chosen, like we were all chosen. By Man in Moon."

"What?" Jack asked and turned on his heel. That brought his attention.

"That's right, Jack, he chose you" Tooth assured him.

"Man in Moon… he talks to you?" Jack asked. So the moon was talking to the guardians but didn't bother to tell him who he was.

"You see, Jack, you can't say no. This is your destiny" North said.

"Why didn't he tell me that himself?" Jack said more to himself feeling anger rising within him. He ran a hand through his hair "So after 300 years this is his answer? To spend eternity like you, guys? Sitting in some hideout and thinking of new ways to bribe kids? No no. That's not for me!" He told the moon. Then he turned back to the guardians "No offence"

"How was that not offensive? You know what, it's good he doesn't want to be one of us. I mean, what this clown knows about bringing joy to children anyway?" Bunny said, his voice mocking.

"Have you ever heard of the snowballs? I know, it's not hard-boiled eggs, but kids like what I do" Jack turned to him.

"But none of them believe in you" The rabbit said mockingly. "You're invisible, mate. It's not like you even exist"

"Bunny! Enough" Toothiana interrupted him. Jack fought the thought of telling them about Jamie, instead he got a better idea that would irritate the silly rabbit.

"No. The kangaroo's right" he said.

"The-the what?! What did you call me? I'm not a kangaroo, mate" Bunny said, his eyes darker.

"Oh, and I thought you were. If not a kangaroo than what are you?" Jack teased.

"I'm a bunny. The Easter Bunny. People believe in me" Bunnymund said narrowing his eyes. North took one step forward.

"Jack, walk with me" he said.

He led the young sprite to the lift that took them to the center of the workshop. It was crowded with the Yetis and toys were everywhere. It was the place that every child has ever dreamt about. Every except for Jack who wanted nothing else but to just get out of there. They made their way through the room avoiding the flying little helicopters and kites and other floating stuff.

"I thought that elves were making toys" Jack noticed. That was at least what Jamie told him.

"Just make them believe that" North whispered and giggled. "Very nice" he told a group of elves who decorated one of them and pretended he was a Christmas tree. "Keep up good work"

"I don't like it, paint it red" North said over his shoulder only to get a groan from a Yeti who has just finished painting the blue toys. The Russian man opened a door of his office. It was full of ice cubes and sculptures that North had made. Like the previous room it was wooden and there were big windows in front of the desk. There was so bright unlike in the Pitch's lair.

"Fruit cake?" North asked.

"Err, no, thanks"

North threw the cake aside and put on a dangerous face. The doors behind Jack locked out of a blue. Jack backed off and hit the door with his back. Now he was scared. So they were only playing nice? He should have expected that. He wished Pitch was there. Oh my, he's gonna kill me...

"What are you, Jack Frost, what is your center?"

"Center?" Jack asked confused and clung to the door as much as he could.

"If Man in Moon chose you to be a Guardian than you have to have something very special inside" North said and thought deeply, studying Jack. He walked toward a bookcase and took a wooden Santa-Claus-figure with angry expression. "Here. This is how you see me; very big, intimidating, but if you look deeper.. Well, go on" He said and handed Jack the doll. The boy hesitantly took off the first cover that revealed the happy Santa Claus. Then he took off another one.

"I'm also mysterious" North said. "And furious. Caring. And my center…" He said and Jack handed him the center of the statue.

"There's a tiny wooden baby…" Jack said rubbing his forehead. He didn't understand any of that.

"Look closer. What do you see?"

"Um, big eyes" Jack said.

"Yes! Big eyes, very big, because they are full of wonder" North said patting him on his shoulder. Then he walked through his work-room. "This is what I was born with. The eyes that see the wonder in everything. This wonder is what I put into the world, and what I protect in children" he said as they walked out of the office. "It is what makes me a Guardian. It is my center. What is yours?"

"I don't know" Jack simply said. None of their talks would make him want to be a guardian, it all was just pointless. Suddenly Bunny and Sandy came with worried faces.

"We have a problem , mate" The rabbit stated. "Problem with the Tooth Palace"

Jack didn't even know when he was forced to follow them and next was sitting in North's huge sleigh harnessed to a team of reindeers. At least he wasn't a hostage and he could escape whenever he wanted. However, he got a perfect chance since they were heading to Tooth Palace, exactly where Pitch was supposed to be now. Bunny was arguing and denied to get into the sleigh, leaving North with no choice but to drag him into the vehicle.

"Buckle up" North said over his shoulder.

"Wait, where are the seat belts?!" Bunny panicked.

"That's just a saying" North laughed "Are you ready? Let's go!" He said not waiting for them to answer. The sleigh drove off with such a rapid pace, Jack chuckled as he saw Bunny with his claws on the sleigh, clung to his seat. They rode through an ice tunnel that was filled with Bunnymund's screams, while for Jack it was nothing else than fun.

"I hope you like twisted loops!" North laughed at Bunny.

"I do like carrots" Bunny said and looked as if he was about to throw up. Sandy threw his arms into the air, enjoying the ride like Jack. Finally they made it to the edge of the runway and the sleigh flew up into the air.

"Hey Bunny, check up this view" Jack said grinning and a second later he was blown from the sleigh. Bunny gasped and managed to raise a little to look for the frost sprite, only to find him grinning sitting on the sleigh's slid.

"Aw, you do care" Jack teased, as Bunny narrowed his eyes and mumbled something.

"Hold on, I know a shortcut" North said and pulled out a snow-globe.

"Oh no, I knew I should have taken the tunnels" Bunny panicked again.

"I say, Tooth Palace" North said and threw the globe forward. It opened a portal and in the twinkling of an eye they were in Tooth's realm. "What?" North asked confused as he saw a shadows passing by, chasing baby teeth. Soon they realized the shadows were nightmare horses.

Jack's eyes lit up. It meant that Pitch was somewhere nearby. Jack couldn't've been luckier, the Guardians took him just where he wanted to be right now. Well, they didn't appear to be that bad, but they still were Pitch's enemies which meant they were Jack's as well.

"Here, take the reins" North ordered and handed them to Jack. Fortunately Pitch taught him how to ride a horse. Well, it was a team of reindeers, but he could handle that, right?. North took out his sword and smashed one of the horses. Jack wanted to say something about that but he knew he should keep his mouth for now. Soon he would be safe by Pitch's side.

"They're stealing the teeth!" Bunny said as few golden canisters fell into the sleigh. Sandy noticed black sand on his sleeve and looked at Bunny. They must have suspected something as they exchanged looks.

"Jack, land!" North ordered. Jack shook the reins and managed to land. They almost fell from the platform of a marble tower but it was quite good as for his first try. First and definitely the last one.

"Tooth, are you alright?" North cried.

"T-they took my fairies, and the teeth, all of them, everything is gone" She said and dropped to her knees.

"I have to say, it's very very exciting. The big four, all in one place" They heard a velvety voice. Jack would recognize this voice everywhere. They looked up to find Pitch standing on a higher level of the Tooth Palace.

"Pitch!" Jack exclaimed. Within a second he was teleported by the shadows to Pitch.

"J-Jack, what are you doing?" North asked confused.

"Now, would you be so kind and explain what do you want from my boy?" Pitch said narrowing his eyes and putting a protective arm around Jack's shoulders.

"Is-is he your son, Pitch?" Tooth asked not believing her eyes. Pitch looked down at Jack who sent him an innocent smile.

"In a manner of speaking." The Boogeyman said and ruffled the young sprite's hair. The Guardians finally shook themselves off the shock.

"Listen, Pitch, the boy is…" North started but Jack interrupted. He didn't want Pitch to know about the Guardian thing. Not yet.

"A bad driver I know!" Jack said and as silly as it sounded he didn't have anything else that could help his situation "North let me drive the sleigh"

"You let the boy drive your sleigh, seriously North? I thought that a Guardian is more responsible" Pitch sighed his voice lecturing.

"Err.." North rubbed the back of his head, not really know what to say. He hasn't seen that coming. Jack sighed with relief, he was saved for now.

"Pitch, you have 30 seconds to return my fairies!" Toothiana finally said and before she got to Pitch and Jack the shadows had already teleported them.

"Or what? You'll put a coin under my pillow?" Pitch mocked appearing on the other side of the palace while Jack stayed safe aside with his favorite nightmare horse Kerrin.

"Pitch, why are you doing this?" North asked looking around in search of the Nightmare King.

"Maybe I want to have something what you have" Pitch said from other platform. "To be believed in" He said and teleported himself again "Maybe I'm tired of hiding under beds"

"Maybe that's where you belong" Bunny said angrily. Then Toothiana couldn't hold it back any longer, she took Bunnymund's boomerang and flew up with a battle cry. She immediately backed off as a black horse formed in front of her.

"Whoa. Easy, girl, easy" Pitch said to his favorite Nightmare and twirled a black sand between his fingers "Looks familiar, Sandman? Took me a while to master this little trick" he said and stroked the nightmare horse. "Turning dreams into nightmares. Don't be nervous, they smell fear, you know"

"What fear? Of you?" Bunnymund laughed. "No one's been afraid of you since the Dark Ages"

"Oh the Dark Ages" Pitch said and smiled at the memory "Everyone afraid, miserable, such a happy time for me, all that power I had… Than the Main in Moon chose you to replace my fear with your wonder and the light, lifting their hearts and filling them with hope that wrote me off. Oh, it's just a bad dream, there's nothing to be afraid of, there's no such a thing as the Boogeyman. And that's all about to change."

Jack listened to the little backstory. Pitch has never told him about the Dark Ages, actually they didn't talk about the past, he was always wondering about that. He has never asked Pitch why he hated the Guardians so much, it was probably the right time to do so. As soon as they get home he would ask more about Dark Ages, for sure.

"Oh, that's happening already. Children are waking up and realizing the Tooth Fairy never came. That's such a little thing… but to a child…"

They watched as the walls of the Tooth Palace, once twinkling in glory, now were cascading. The Guardians watched it with terror and the feeling that they couldn't do anything was killing them from inside. Such a beautiful view for the Nightmare King.

"T-they don't believe in me anymore" Tooth said frightened.

"It's your turn not to be believed in" The Boogeyman said grinning. Then Bunny threw his boomerang and all the Guardians went after Pitch.

The Black sand wrapped around Jack and pulled him into the shadows to teleport him back to the nightmare realm. After the centuries he still hasn't gotten used to that. Within a second he was already in Pitch's realm in the throne room. He looked around and waited for Pitch to come.

The Nightmare King finally dealt with the Guardians and satisfied went back to his palace. He watched from the shadows as Jack walked towards the globe that was slowly losing the lights. He was about to join him but he got a devilish idea. Jack wasn't the only one who could pull pranks, was he?

The Boogeyman approached Jack and without any warning lifted the boy up and twirled him above his head like a father would his child. Jack screamed from the surprise, and Pitch laughed, he could sense the young sprite's fear.

"Pitch, when will you finally stop doing that?" Jack breathed as he calmed himself down. It was not the first time when Pitch did that.

"I'll stop it when you finally stop screaming like a girl every time I try to scare you" Pitch chuckled. "Missed me?"

"Not really" Jack teased and poked Pitch's shoulder "Just kidding. How did you know I was kidnapped?"

"Well, even you wouldn't have been that irresponsible to just leave the staff in an alley" Pitch said and gave Jack his staff. The boy hugged it, as if it was the dearest thing in the world.

"Wait, what do you mean by 'even you'? Not nice" Jack said.

"Anyway, I hope they treated you well" Pitch said as he walked up to the globe and watched the lights switch off.

"Well enough, I guess" Jack said nervously. He could only hope that Pitch wouldn't ask what they wanted from him. He knew that sooner or later he would have to tell it, but he, personally, preferred it to be later.

"Very well, because if they didn't, they wouldn't make it till Easter. Speaking of which, would you like to go on eggs-hunt, Jack?"

"Egg-haunts? I've never been on egg-hunts. Why?"

"I have to deal with the rabbit. If we destroy his holiday than he'll be out of our way. We're going to pay him a visit"

"So you're going to take me to Warren?" Jack asked excited and Pitch nodded. The frost sprite wrapped his arms around Pitch in a tight hug, like a child that has just been given the best present on the world. "Thank you, dad!" he exclaimed. Pitch blinked, has the boy just called him 'dad'? They spend many years together but Jack has never called him like that. But as he did Pitch felt something warm in his heart…

"Pitch, I meant Pitch. Sorry I don't know where that came from" Jack explained himself rubbing the back of his head. He was so happy at the thought that he would finally see the legendary place where Bunny prepares his eggs that he accidently called Pitch dad. But he was his father, adoptive father, wasn't he?

"You must be really excited" Pitch said smiling and then added "Son"

Jack laughed and nodded. If Pitch was in a good mood, then maybe he could ask him about the Dark Ages. There was no reason he shouldn't know it, right?

"Um, Pitch? Can you tell me more about the Dark Ages? You've never told me why you hate Man in Moon and the Guardians…"

"Jack," Pitch sighed "There's nothing to tell about it. It's not something that should be recalled, just forget it, like everyone did"

Jack knew it was the end of the discussion, Pitch's voice was firm and he knew that he shouldn't ask about it anymore. But his childish curiosity took over again and he was so determined to know the truth. He would find out, sooner or later. The question was, what was Pitch hiding? Didn't he trust him?...

This is the last chapter where I needed to use movie's scenes. Good for me XD.

So the next chapter; a visit in Warren, are you as excited as Jack? Anyway, I don't know when I'll have the next chapter up. Tomorrow I'm on a little trip and it might take some time. But your reviews motivate me so much and if I get some, then maybe I'll try to write in a bus ;D. Also, will Jack get to know the past? Anyway,

Happy Valentines!

Review!