The alotted time was over.

It was at last the Day of Reckoning.

Jack knew his time was up. He knew it very well. The day, however, was his, and he would enjoy it until the last speck of light disappeared from the sky, and Manny shone on the world once more. His believers knew something was up with their favorite Guardian of Fun, but they also seemed to sense that he didn't want to elaborate on it, and they were not going to be the ones to sour his mood by prying.

His prince was another story.

Jamie Jokul Frosti had one advantage over the other Six, and that was his closeness to Jack, especially now that he was the Winter Prince officially. He could get away with asking the most personal questions and having Jack answer without hesitation or retribution. So when Jamie noticed his mentor staring forlornly into the distance after the six had to go home for lunch, he took advantage of his standing to state the obvious, his voice solemn and soft as he stood next to the taller spirit, leaning on his small staff.

"Bet's over, isn't it."

Jack didn't even flinch. He just smiled forlornly "Yeah, kiddo. Time's up."

"You did your best. He can't deny that, right? For all intents and purposes, you kept your end of the deal."

"It won't be enough." Jack said truthfully, turning to the north and gesturing for his First Beleiver to follow him as he began to fly to a high place above Burgess. Looking down at the town he loved and that had come to love him, the Winter King sat down next to Jamie, ruffling the boy's hair with a grin.

"You do a favor for me, kiddo?"

"Of course, Jack!"

He looked at the town again and gestured to it fondly.

"Take care of her for me, ok?"

Jamie looked at him, serious but worried. He could feel his brand aching, and didn't miss the slight tremble in Jack's voice. He slipped his hand into the larger one next to him and said solemnly "If it comes down to it, yeah. I'll take care of Burgess."

"That's my prince." The Winter spirit chuckled and stood up, stretching as he picked up his staff. "Now then, fancy a race?"

jamie grinned, knowing exactly what was going on but too kind to not let it happen, gave the older spirit a mischievous smirk "Seriously, Jack? You wanna get beat again?"

"Oh ho! Cocky little brat aren't you, Jokul Frosti! Well, come on then! Best 5 out of 10, it's time I reminded you who owns the winter skies!"

"You're on!"

The two raced half the day away, neither of them wanting the time to end prematurely. They dipped and weaved, soared and frolicked. At one point Jamie decided to make it hail on the older spirit, causing Jack to retaliate by shooting a small blizzard at the boy. This was followed by a game of tag, to which Jamie had a distinct disadvantage and had to yield victory to Jack, who tackled him and incited a wrestling match.

The match ended with both spirits laughing hysterically, spread eagle in the middle of a grassy plain near a racetrack . As they lay looking up at the slowly fading sky, their sounds of mirth began to die down. The stars were already starting to show, though dusk was still in the process of falling. It was Jamie who broke the small silence, riolling over on his side so he could look Jack in the face.

"You don't have to go, you know."

The Winter Spirit sat up, cocking his head. He sighed "You're right. I don't have to. But you see, a deal's a deal. I gave Pitch my word on this, and I don't break my word after I give it. So, like it or not…" His eyes caught a lone figure standing silhouetted on the bleachers, yellow eyes glowing in the darkness. From that distance, his expression was hard to read, but the meaning was screaming loud and clear.

"It's time."

Jack rose slowly to his feet, taking a deep breath as he made his way calmly to confront his fate. He had no regrets. He had done his best and he would not trade his decision for the world, even if it meant his freedom. As he contijued to walk, his Prince stared after him, dread in his young heart. There was an unspoken understanding between the two winter spirits, an understanding Jamie would not betray. The understanding that this was something Jack intended to face alone. Yet….the youth knew that he couldn't just abandon his mentor. Alone he would face his fate...but not without witness. Jokul Frosti would be that witness, though he swore that whatever happened...he would not, could not interfere. If he did, it would betray the understanding the two shared.

So he followed. Silently. Until he was within earshot of the two.

"Ironic isn't it, that we meet here." Pitch said as the Winter Spirit began his ascent to the Box the Boogieman stood in, hands behind his back, relaxed. He had the upper hand here, this was his show, and he was fully aware that he was the one who had power in this situation. There was no rush.

"Here in this place of luck and results. Where destiny is decided upon by numbers and chance...and fate. I'll admit, at first I thought you were encouraging me to bet on a dead horse, one that had as much chance crossing that finish line as a snail has a chance of sliding all the way down a slab of salt without melting." He paused to look at the winter teen, now at his side, looking out at the sprawling turf and dirt below them, eerily and solemnly silent. Pitch gazed out as well, a small smirk on his lips as he said in faux contempt,

"But once again, you proved me wrong, brat. You not only gave me a winner, you gave me the dark horse! Again and again I bet against those chances, and again and again, I was thrown to the ground. I even extended our little wager just to see if you would keep performing as well, and I was not disappointed!"

A darkened hand came down on a frozen shoulder, and a note of genuine regret creeped into the lilted tone as he brought his mouth close to a pale ear.

"But you know the saying, Frost. All good things and all that. The derby is over. The marques are closed. All bets...need to be honored."

Jack finally broke his silence, holding his head high as he smiled wistfully "And what a bet it was, eh Pitch! I don't regret a thing. Not one thing. Well, that's not true...the Nightmare Prince scenario wasn't really all that pleasant. But I did honor my end of the bargain. You can't deny that at least. I was hoping to have a lot more belief stacked up by now, but I guess it's a bit late."

"A bit, yes."

"Yeah, unfortunately. Still, you have a whole city now, and part of Germany. Nothing to sneeze at, surely. So…" he took a deep breath, holding out his staff to the boogieman in a gesture of ultimate surrender."I am a spirit of my word. And I'm ready."

Pitch took the offered conduit graciously, signaling he accepted said surrender. "On your knees, Frost."

The teen did as he was told, taking a knee and bowing his head. He waited for the shadows to engulf him, he was ready. He kept his eyes open but downcast as he waited for the inevitable. But the shadows did not rise to swallow him. The darkness didn't open its jaws to receive him. The man standing above him...over him...was he not going to teleport them both to his lair?

"Get up. We have work to do."

His staff was tossed to the ground at his feet. The Boogieman had his back to the winter spirit as the teen waited, expecting some horrible trick to activate as soon as he lifted his head.`He tentitively reached for his conduit, his eyes still downcast, his muscles still calmly awaiting the spasms of fear his mind was telling him were inevitable.

Pitch began manipulating his sand, his back still to the winter spirit. "Are you deaf back there?" he asked casually "My believers aren't going to scare themselves."

"I...I don't understand." Jack said softly "I lost the bet, didn't I?"

"Spectacularly." came the smug, honest answer. "However you did provide some of the promised results, so I altered the fate I chose for you. Now, get up. Unless you want me to rescind my decision," he formed a sand dagger menacingly "Which I am willing to also do."

Jack shook his head vigorously "No, I'm good! Just...curious is all. What about your revenge?"

"Oh please, like you didn't notice. My vengeance against the Guardians has been going on for a great while now. Can't you see the irony in what we do? " the boogieman summoned Onyx and mounted her while summoning Sleet, "You, a Guardian...scaring children with me, their greatest enemy. Willingly! That is all the vengeance against that lot I could ask for, really."

"And me?" Jack asked, hopping on his frostmare.

Pitch simply smiled an unsettling smile, "Your nights are spent scaring, Frost. Your days, however...are mine to decide what to do. And I have so many options!" Onyx reared, and Pitch took off, Jack on his tail, now as unsure and nervous as he had been before.

"Oh, and I wouldn't lag too far behind if I were you, boy." Pitch cautioned, his attention to something below the galloping duo, "That brand on your back won't be able to track Frost once I drag him into my dimension. If you wish to continue spying for my daughter I suggest you stick close. I'd be annoyed at your presence if I wasn't in such a good mood. The daylight hours are aproaching. Wouldn't want you to miss out on my fun!"

"Leave him outta this, Pitch." Jack warned "I hope I don't have to remind you what happens when you mess with one of mine. Especially this one."

The boogieman laughed wickedly "A bit possessive are we?"

"Only with the seven." Jack said with a growl. To Jamie, he slowed down so the little Winter Prince could catch up.

"My nights are spoken for. It's the days I'm worried about. Whatever he does, it better not effect Mother's balance."

Jamie scowled "Hang the balance! Jack...I don't wanna lose you. Please reconsider...please!"

"Sorry kiddo, a deal's a deal." Jack scooped up his prince and spurred Sleet on, catching up to Pitch.

"Where to, boss?"

"Shut up Frost. We're headed to Boise."