Author's Note – Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I've updated this story, or any of my stories on here for that matter. I've been swept up in the busyness of life and, as such, haven't had the time to sit down and write like I used to. I've tried to write for some of my fanfictions in the past, but I was never able to finish anything. Despite that, I'm determined to finish this fanfiction, at the very least, as it was one of my favourites. So, I'm pushing myself to write for it and wrap up the story. Now, without any more delay, here's the new chapter!
It was well into the hours of night when the solution to the riddle finally dawned on him. Jack Frost had been walking aimlessly for hours, the cold wind swirling around him as he pondered the cryptic message he had received earlier in the day. "Where love once thrived, search within your heart," that was the riddle Hiccup had said, leaving him with more questions than answers.
As Jack trudged through the snow-covered landscape, he couldn't help but feel frustrated with himself. He had been racking his brain for hours, trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind those words. He had thought about his time as a Guardian, the friendships he had formed, the bonds he had forged, but nothing had clicked.
It was only when he thought about it further that he felt stupid for not realizing it sooner. The answer had been right there in front of him all along. He was supposed to go to the very place where he and Hiccup had first met, the place where their journey together had begun.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Jack's lips as he recalled that fateful day. The day he had first laid eyes on the brunette boy who had captured his heart in a way he had never expected. Hiccup had always been an irresistibly curious and his endearing shyness had drawn Jack to him like a moth to a gentle, flickering flame.
As he made his way to the rocky outcrop where they had first crossed paths, Jack couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia washing over him. The moonlight illuminated the landscape, casting long shadows and highlighting the beauty of the snow-covered cliffs. The cold air was crisp and invigorating, despite having drowned in his previous life in the surrounding area, the sight made him relax a little, if only for a moment as flashing images of him and his sister Emma danced fleetingly across his thoughts.
As Jack gazed out at the breathtaking vista before him, he couldn't help but feel a rush of emotion. He knew that he had to find Hiccup, to save him from whatever threat plagued him and to apologise for their last encounter when he had thrown his arms around him so suddenly and out of the blue, no doubt it would have caught anyone by surprise.
Jack Frost's heart raced as he approached the rocky outcrop, despite the scenery around him being awe-inspiring what caught Jack's attention was the figure sitting atop the familiar rock.
There, Hiccup sat, his posture tense, and his gaze darting nervously from side to side. The sight of him looking so frightened sent a shiver down Jack's spine. He couldn't understand why Hiccup appeared so troubled, since he couldn't see any immediate danger.
As Jack drew closer, Hiccup's eyes met his, and there was a flicker of relief in those emerald-green orbs. However, the relief was short-lived, and an awkward silence settled between them. It had been a while since they had seen each other, and their last meeting had been far from pleasant.
Hiccup finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with unease. "Jack... you shouldn't have come here," he said, his words laden with a sense of foreboding.
Jack frowned, confusion and concern marring his features. "Hiccup, what's going on? Why do you look so scared?"
Hiccup hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "Someone's after you, Jack. Someone from your past."
The revelation sent a chill down Jack's spine. His past was a complicated and shadowy place, and the thought of someone from those days resurfacing was deeply unsettling. "Who?" Jack asked, his voice low and urgent.
Hiccup's expression grew even more troubled. "It's Pitch Black," he said, his voice quivering with fear. "I don't know how he found you, but he's here, and he's dangerous."
Jack's mind raced as he tried to process the information. Pitch Black, the Nightmare King, had been one of his greatest foes during his time as a Guardian. The thought of facing him again filled him with dread.
Before Jack could respond, darkness began to swirl around Hiccup, engulfing him like a sinister cloak. Panic surged through Jack as he reached out to grab Hiccup's hand, desperate to pull him to safety. But Hiccup, in an act of surprising strength, wiggled his hand free of Jack's grasp and pushed him away. "Jack, you need to go," he pleaded, his voice fading as the shadows consumed him.
Jack fought against the encroaching darkness, his heart pounding with terror and regret. "No, Hiccup, I won't leave you!"
But it was too late. The shadows swallowed Hiccup in the blink of an eye and Jack found himself separated from the person he had come to rescue.
Tears streamed down Jack's face, his emotions a turbulent whirlwind of anger, fear, and guilt. The darkness had claimed Hiccup before his very eyes, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow responsible for what had happened.
Overwhelmed by his emotions, Jack clenched his fists and let out a guttural scream that echoed through the silent night. His staff, his symbol of power and freedom, was flung with all his might against the gnarled bark of a nearby tree, making a sharp clatter in the stillness.
Seconds turned into minutes as Jack sat there in the snow, his mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and memories. He couldn't forget how terrified Hiccup had looked, how vulnerable he had seemed in the face of Pitch Black's return.
His last encounter with Pitch, the battle that had unfolded, came rushing back to him. Jack had believed that Pitch was gone for good, defeated and banished to the shadows. But now, it seemed like the spectre of fear had returned to torment him once more.
Jack couldn't help but wonder about Pitch's intentions. What was his goal in targeting Jack again? Was it a personal vendetta, a desire for revenge? Or was there something more sinister at play?
The questions swirled in Jack's mind like a never-ending storm, and he was torn about what to do next. Should he keep this encounter a secret, or should he confide in the other Guardians about Pitch's return? He knew that Pitch was a threat not just to him but to the entire world.
As Jack sat there in the snow, his body trembling with a mix of emotions, he realized that he couldn't let fear and guilt paralyze him. He had to find a way to save Hiccup and stop Pitch's malevolent plans, whatever they might be.
Jack Frost stood in the moonlight, his gaze fixed on the silvery orb high above. He couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and helplessness in the face of the daunting task ahead. "Any ideas on where I should start looking for answers?" Jack whispered to the enigmatic Man in the Moon, hoping for some guidance.
To his surprise, his plea for guidance was answered not by a celestial sign but by a more earthly one. A lone hare suddenly darted across the clearing, its white fur blending with the snow as it made a swift escape into the safety of the surrounding woods. Jack couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sight. "Really?" he muttered, feeling like he was being mocked.
But just as he was about to dismiss the hare as a mere coincidence, a gust of wind swept through the clearing, blowing him forward. It was as though the elements themselves were urging him to take the hare seriously, to seek answers in an unexpected place.
With a resigned sigh, Jack collected his staff from the snow-covered ground and shook it clean of the snow that had accumulated on it. He knew he had to heed the message, even if it seemed absurd. The hare's swift movement and the gust of wind were clear signs from the Man in the Moon, guiding him on his path.
Jack took to the air, his staff propelling him into the night sky. He knew exactly where he needed to go next. Bunnymund, the Guardian of Spring and a somewhat friend, might have some insight into Pitch's return.
As Jack soared through the night sky toward Bunnymund's domain, his thoughts were a swirling mix of worry and uncertainty. He couldn't help but mutter to himself as he flew, his words carried away by the wind. "What should I tell Bunnymund? How much should I reveal?" His heart was heavy with the burden of the truth.
Hiccup's disappearance and the return of Pitch Black were not things to be taken lightly. He knew he needed Bunnymund's help, but he also didn't want to burden his friend with the full weight of the situation. "I can't keep it all from him, though," Jack thought aloud. "He deserves to know what's going on." Determined to find the right balance between sharing the truth and protecting his friend, Jack continued his journey through the star lit night.