Bunny was falling.
Jack was paralysed at the horror of the thought as he saw his friend tumble further out of reach. Time slowed, wrapping him in a stationary second, watching in slow motion as he stood helplessly watching. Bunny, who had teased him relentlessly and annoyed him until it was bordering on bullying at times but Jack didn't care because he never took anything to heart like that. He didn't have much of a heart left to get hurt by it. Bunny who had slowly grown closer and under his harsh, grumpy exterior, deep, deep down, he truly cared for Jack and had a soft spot where the winter spirit was concerned. Jack had found himself growing closer to the oversized rabbit despite their past disputes.
His eyes fixed on Bunny's distant form, still falling, and then the ground was coming closer to him. Without even processing it, he had leapt over the edge of the sleigh and was shooting head first, arms tucked tightly into his side to reduce the air resistance and increase his speed, after the falling form.
His small form easily carried him closer to the still flailing Bunny and angled himself directly in his path. They collided hard, spinning wildly before Jack could manipulate the wind to slow both of them through the rushing air that now roared in his ears. Bunny's paws scrabbled for a hold madly, fear momentarily overtaking his movements as the panic set in and he seized onto Jack tightly causing Jack to hiss in pain as his bruised ribs were now put under intense pressure. The Wind hastily brought them gently down to the ground, sensing her winter spirit's pain.
With firm ground beneath his feet, Bunny collapsed gratefully, hugging the field of grass, arms spread wide with relief.
"Never ever, ever getting above the ground again," Bunny mumbled into the thick grass, "Stick to tunnels. Sleigh's are death traps."
Jack, meanwhile, was half hunched, gasping desperately for breath with his arm wrapped tightly around his side. Each breath sent shooting pains along his ribs, flaring all his injuries into sharp resistance, leaving him more breathless than before. Screwing his eyes shut, he begged for the agony to abate, to stop its ruthless attack, slowly regaining the control he had stubbornly held on to.
A loud thud and a rush of air disturbed the long grass as the heavy sleigh and reindeer landed alongside them, three anxious Guardians toppling out in their haste to ensure their safety.
"Bunny," Tooth's shrill mothering tone pierced the silent air as she flitted over to his side, trying to pull him to his feet whilst scanning him critically for any injuries. Jack shuffled away and tried to straighten without causing too much protest from his ribs, gulping a few more mouthfuls of air to his parched lungs. Bunny was the main concern here. He was the one that almost fell to his death. There was no point letting them fuss over him for something that happened hours ago when there were more serious matters at hand. He caught another enquiring glance from Sandy out of the corner of his eyes and immediately raised his shields, blocking the pain and damage, hiding behind the fragile outer appearance he had perfected over the years.
"I'm okay Tooth," Bunny assured, waving Tooth away unsuccessfully, "Really. Thanks to Jack." He grinned brightly at Jack who smiled weakly in return. Bunny of course noticed this and the slightly hunched and pained expression on his face, the tiny creases between his brow, the dull spark in captivating cerulean eyes and tense shoulders the only sign that there was something wrong.
"Jack, are you okay?" Bunny's ears lowered, twitching at the imperceptible hitch in the frost teen's breath.
"F-fine." His word came out in a brief gasp and Bunny saw his resolve harden as he cleared his throat. "I'm fine." Jack tugged his hood again, pulling it low once more so the small details that had been visible were once again covered. He was hiding something- the fact so obvious Bunny pitied his efforts and continued stubbornness.
"Jack? Are you okay?" Tooth flew over promptly, reaching out a hand to give a reassuring squeeze to his shoulder. To all their surprise, Jack quickly backed away, and if they had been able to see his face they would have seen him visibly wince. Tooth hesitated, withdrawing her outstretched hand. "Jack?" Her voice was heavy with concern.
Jack bit his lip. It was all he could do not to try to shrink away from all their intense watches. Why couldn't they just leave anything be? They were always prying into where they didn't belong. Jack internally rebuked himself. No, they were only concerned for him. It was their problem too if he ended up being a hindrance due to his injuries. He was just being over defensive now. They hadn't asked about what he was fearing. They didn't know and hopefully never would.
"Okay, okay," Jack conceded, raising his hands for them to stop crowding him. He was beginning to feel claustrophobic which was not helping his condition at all. Reluctantly the others backed up with a mix of concern and accusation.
"What's this? Deception in the ranks?" A silky voice permeated the night air, "I see there are still a few trust issues among the group. Oh, dear."
"Pitch!" Bunny yelled, spinning around wildly to catch sight of the source of the voice.
The other Guardians were immediately on guard, Jack's confession completely forgotten once more. They turned into a tight circle facing outwards, trying to get a glimpse of the shadows.
"Oh Jack's not still keeping secrets?" Pitch's voice floated with mock concern making Jack's stomach churn.
"Shut up Pitch!" Jack yelled into the darkness.
"That's not a very nice thing to say to an old friend, is it Jack? I think some little spirits need to be taught some manners, hmm?"
"I am not your friend," Jack growled, pointing his staff randomly, infuriated at the disembodied voice that refused to show itself.
"Come now, Jack. After all our little chats?"
"Chats?" Bunny frowned, worry touching his voice, whether that was worry that Pitch's words held truth or that the winter spirit had been alone with the nightmare king, Jack didn't know. It was probably the former, Jack thought to himself glumly, they still had a right to be suspicious of their new companion. "What does he mean Jack?"
"It's nothing," Jack muttered under his breath, not taking his eyes away from the shadows that now seemed to be writhing.
"More secrets Jack?" Pitch asked softly, "You haven't told them about our talks? Oh, Jack I am very disappointed. Imagine keeping something so important a secret from your supposed new friends. I see, none of you trust each other as much as you pretend to. It's such a shame really."
"Shut up Pitch" Jack shouted again, shoulders heaving with rage that sent sparks of pain across his shoulder and side but it only fuelled his anger more.
"Again with the manners," Pitch replied steadily, "I think maybe it is about time that we taught you the value of them."
Without warning, the shadows exploded, several nightmares launching directly towards Jack. He managed to send out a few blasts of his staff, freezing two solid where the momentum of their charge sent them shattering against the ground, but he had to dive suddenly to the side to prevent the rest ploughing straight into him. The Guardians scattered in the wake of the nightmare stampede.
There was a glint in the dark night as North drew his two large sabres and began wielding them with deadly precision. The faint sound of something slicing through the air was greeted by a nightmare disintegrating as it was hit with Bunny's boomerangs. The vibrant golden glow and flashes punctuated the shadows as Sandy's golden sand whips lashed out at their attackers and Tooth was a blur of bright green as she whizzed around the black sand forms.
The main group of the stampede had circled back around and were now taking another attempt at Jack who darted between the horse-creations with the help of the wind to give him a burst of speed that otherwise would have left him a trampled snow angel on the grassy hill. All the movement and sudden twisting and turning was damaging his already abused ribs and he could feel the steady drumbeat in the back of his head build to a throbbing agony that felt more like someone was hammering against the inside of his skull.
Why, Jack thought as he froze the hooves of a nightmare who proceeded to crash straight into two more who had been coming back around for another attempt, do, he froze another, I always, a burst of blue light flashed briefly as more fell, make the, a nightmare crashed into his shoulder and he cried out in pain, worst impressions, he successfully froze the nightmare who had hit him, on bad people? A blaze of blue-white light engulfed the darkened hillside, obliterating the nightmares around him in a fit of pain and rage and frustration.
The other Guardians spun around to face the surprisingly powerful display, nightmares pausing in their tracks in horror. Bunny used the distraction to punch once of the nightmares which had paused right behind him, without looking around, the faint crumble of black sand the only break in the silence.
Jack stood breathing heavily, arms wrapped around his abdomen, knuckles turning white on his staff. The Guardians watched in worry until the winter spirit slowly relaxed his tense shoulder, removing one arm from around his staff, and the Guardians collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
The moment gone, the nightmares bolted into action once more pushing the Guardians back and began circling the small group, building speed until they were just a blur of black like a hurricane, forcing the Guardians closer together into the eye of the storm.
Jack stepped back towards the rest of the group but wasn't allowed to make it far when Pitch's voice spoke up once more.
"Poor Guardians," he chuckled, that laugh alone was enough to send shivers down their spines. It was so out of place, so wrong and cold. "You have no idea how powerful your little winter pest is do you? You haven't even touched the surface, and Jack's not even in peak condition yet easily wipes out a large portion of my nightmares." Rather than appear angry at having Jack destroy most of his army yet again, he seemed to almost be praising his actions which only put Jack more on edge.
North, Tooth, Sandy and Bunny had once again formed a tight circle but were less vigilant this time, their eyes continually flicking towards the Guardians of fun and back again.
"You shouldn't hide things from your friends Jack," Pitch scolded softly, "What was the word you used last time, a family?" Jack squirmed uncomfortably at his words whilst the Guardians were facing a mixture of confusion at the fact that Pitch had somehow talked to Jack, shock and affection that Jack had referred to them as that and fear at Jack's reaction and the attention that Pitch was giving him.
"I can taste your fear Jack," Pitch's voice changed as quickly as the wind, menacing and disturbing from the mock concern that it had held earlier, "You are so afraid Jack. So much fear and terror, it's no wonder you drew me out here."
"I'm not afraid of you," Jack stated boldly, stepping forwards defiantly, signs of pain vanishing from his lean frame as he stood straight before the wall of churning nightmares that were still blurring in a tight ring around them.
"Oh, not of me Jack," Pitch assured slowly, "Shall I tell them what you are afraid of."
"Pitch," Jack warned, stepping forwards less certainly now, scared that Pitch was about to reveal what he didn't want to talk about, what he didn't even want to remember yet.
Light laughter drifted around the Guardians. "You're not afraid Jack? I think you have just proved yourself wrong. What is it that you don't want me to tell them? Hmm? I thought you were passed the trust issues. Or have you not completely forgiven those three hundred years that they ignored you?" The Guardians lowered their heads in shame; Tooth's wings ceased their fluttering for a moment, lowering her heavily on to the ground.
Jack's years of solitude was a difficult topic that they had tried not to think about since he had joined them, trying to ignore the fact that they had played a part in Jack's suffering and loneliness. Jack had claimed he was fine, but as they got to know him more they had learned that there was a lot that Jack kept unsaid.
"Poor Jack, never trusting anyone, might never trust anyone again, always alone. Mayhem forever falling in his wake."
Jack bristled at that taunt. That was the second time in as many days that someone had mentioned his past against him. That was too often for Jack to bear.
"Shut up, just shut up!" Jack roared, firing recklessly into the whirling nightmares, hoping to hit something but relishing the release of his powers and the dangerous blue light that crackled out of the end of his staff.
"Now, now, Jack, mind that temper of yours. Someone could get hurt, and we all know what happens then. Are you really so afraid of the past, Jack?" Pitch's voice floated everywhere, penetrating his mind and disturbing him every time Pitch said his name. "You need to stop hiding things, don't you Jack?" Jack spun slowly, trying to catch sight of the Nightmare King. "Poor, little Jack Frost…" The voice seemed to grow fainter into the night.
Had Jack not already experienced first hand how deceptive the King of Nightmares could be, he may have relaxed or lowered his guard, believing the enemy to be gone. But with the continued frantic swirl of nightmares around them and the knowledge he now held, Jack remained on guard.
Despite his preparation, he was completely taken unaware by the nightmare that suddenly launched from the swirling storm; too busy scanning the darkness for Pitch. The small burst of air from the speeding creature was the only warning he received, as he pivoted to face the attacker, blocking out the warning and alarmed shouts from the other Guardians, bringing his staff around. However, instead of pummelling him into the grass as he expected, the nightmare changed course last second, skirting around him, catching the tip of Jack's hood in sharp jagged teeth, dragging him back a few paces before releasing him. Jack stumbled backwards, icy eyes open wide in shock, a strangled cry escaping him as the bruising on his neck was pulled, only to widen further when he realised what the nightmare had done.
His hood had come down, leaving his face and more importantly the visible injuries there, exposed and visible to the vigilant eyes of the Guardians. Squeezing his eyes closed, he sighed internally. When they opened again, he turned to face the shocked and appalled face of his companions.
"Jack…" Tooth breathed, hands flying to her mouth and lilac eyes glistening in the faint light from the stars.
North lowered his twin swords slowly until their tips brushed the grass. Sandy seemed to think better than to try to communicate right now but fixed him with a concerned frown. Great, just what he needed right now.
"Jack," Bunny questioned tentatively, "What happened? Your face…"
If he hadn't worried that it would elicit more concern from them, Jack would have groaned. They wanted to do this now. While they were completely surrounded by nightmares, Pitch Black was still out there watching them, probably relishing in their concern and fear, waiting for the right moment, in their distraction, to strike. This is why he didn't want to tell them. They always worried more than was needed, over dramatising the whole situation when there were more important things to be fretting about. He wasn't important. They needn't waste their time on him. He was fine. He was always fine.
"It's nothing," Jack replied, the answer sounding weak even to his own ears. It was true though, he had been through worse, so much worse. This was barely worth recognition.
"It's not nothing, mate," Bunny said softly, ears lowering against his head as he examined the boy's face. He suddenly appeared so young and fragile. The side of his head was marred with a dominant purpling bruise bordering a deep scarlet cut that had scabbed over now but was still a raw red around the edge that wasn't taken up by the bruise. On the other side of his face, resting on his temple, was another grey-black bruise that stood out vividly on his pale skin. "Why didn't you say anything?" Bunny shook his head; almost denying what his eyes were showing him.
A faint cold chuckle broke the silence and all of the Guardians flared back into life, anger burning towards Pitch for different reasons.
"What did you do Pitch?" Bunny demanded of the shadows, raising a boomerang threateningly, although he had no idea where Pitch was.
"Me?" the Nightmare King chuckled again, a sound barren of amusement or joy but arrogant in the fact the he was aware of something the other Guardians were not. "Oh, how I wish it was me who was responsible…"
"It wasn't Pitch," Jack spoke quietly, his comment almost lost in the rush of wind from the still swirling nightmares. Shamefully he lowered his head, refusing to meet any of their eyes.
"If not Pitch, then who?" Bunny frowned. Who else was there that would harm Jack? There was no one dangerous that he was aware of that had a vendetta against the winter spirit.
"Yes, tell them, Jack," Pitch called.
"Can we not talk about this later," Jack shouted back at Bunny, ignoring Pitch.
"I dunno, will we?" Bunny growled. His usual short fuse had officially been pulled up shorter and he was ready to explode at the slightest spark. Not only moments ago had he almost fallen from a great height and had to listen to the insufferable monologues that Pitch must have prepared, now one of their own members was keeping secrets from them. Jack, who he had thought had put all of this distrust behind him- especially after the Easter fiasco- still had misgivings about the Guardians even after they had accepted him and ended his long years of solitude. Sure, it had taken a while before they had noticed him, but at least they were here now. He thought Jack had forgiven all that. Apparently he hadn't: he was just as mistrustful as he always had been.
"Will you for once get some perspective here?" stormed Jack, throwing his arms exasperatedly into the air, quickly followed by a wince that was now visible to all the Guardians, and he let his arm fall back down by his side, "We are surrounded by a whole army of nightmare sand, completely trapped, Pitch is trying to turn us against each other, meanwhile our only escape is on the other side of this stupid sand!"
"So you're saying we should fight our way back to the sleigh?" Bunny raised one furry eyebrow, keeping his tone neutral.
"That's exactly what I'm saying," Jack said in the same exasperated tone.
Bunny gave him a small nod that almost went unnoticed had the winter spirit not been looking out for it. Without warning, Jack and Bunny leapt into action, launching into a fresh battle as they tried to force their way through the barrier of circling nightmares with brute force. The rest of the Guardians were right behind them, joining with a loud cry. The nightmares, taken by surprise, did not put up much of a fight against the sudden attack. The first row was easily blasted away, a fair portion transforming back into the glittering dream sand.
The rest of the army faltered, turning with vehemence at the ones who had destroyed their brethren. Dark puffs of smoke rose from their snouts as they sized up their prey with glinting scarlet eyes.
"To sleigh?" North hissed under his breath, cautiously backing away.
"Never thought I'd say this again," Bunny sighed, "But I'm right behind ya."
"Um…guys?" Jack ventured, not taking his eyes from where a nightmare was now pawing the ground in anticipation, "No hurry or anything, but…yeah, y'know what? There is a hurry. Can we get out of here before they take us as dream bait?"
"Yes, we go," North's voice was barely above a whisper. "On three, all run. One…" the nightmares began to snort louder, searing smoke rising steadily into the air, hooves beginning to wear scars into the land.
"North," Jack hissed over his shoulder.
"Three!" North yelled.
Without hesitation, the Guardians scampered away across the short distance over the grassy hill to where the sleigh was patiently waiting as though nothing had happened. North leapt in first, seizing the reins with large meaty hands, calling for the rest to hurry. Bunny hopped ahead of the others and dived head first. Tooth and Sandy had rose into the air on their own ability already, urging the flightless on. Frantically, Jack fired a blast of icy energy over his shoulder, not checking if he had managed to hit a target, and drifted into the sleigh that was already pounding along grassy slopes to launch into the air.
Risking a peek over the side, Jack was taken by surprise to see the lack of pursuers as the nightmares remained on the ground, stamping in rage at having let their prey escape, Pitch nowhere in sight. Darkness swallowed up the sight far below within seconds and Sandy and Tooth joined them in the back.
"So…" Jack broke the silence, "Pitch is back."
The others gave him irksome glances and he shifted uncomfortably. What was it with everyone looking at him today?
"Don't think we've finished with you," Bunny warned, waving a paw at Jack's face from where he clung to the sleigh as though his life depended on it, which after recent events, it turned out it did.
Jack cringed and slid down to sit in the corner, curling up tightly and avoiding looking at any of them. No, it was far from over. They had that right. This was only just the beginning and they still had no idea.
The hazy swirls of the dots of stars were pulled above them as they hurtled through the sky, the moon concealed behind a faint wispy trail of clouds. The fields of grass soon disappeared and murky forms of towns swept past like wreckage in the sea on the breaking of the storm. There was silence from the occupants in the sleigh, too wrapped up in harassing thoughts of past events. A faint jingle disturbed the night as the reindeer jerked and pounded through the sky, leading them back to safety. Jack shivered.
Chapter 5! So sorry that this took so long. I had writers block, then no time to write but I tried. See? After the long wait, you get both Pitch and the Guardians finding out about Jack. I would say that there will be quicker updates but I have no guarantees. My aim is to keep at least ten chapters ahead of the ones I post so that is the reason for the wait as well as the editing. I only have six chapters left to write though so after that I can only focus on the editing and hopefully post more regularly.
Thank you again to all who reviewed and followed. Please,please, leave a review for this chapter and I promise to do my best to update sooner.
Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks :)