Hello Music Mixers! So, this is (first chapter as of 7/16/17) a rewritten version of Shattered Ice. I may do a lot of rewritten versions to get my writing muscles working again. For the new readers and a refresher to the oldie but goodies, this story contains torture and foul language. And warning: it will get worse. If you are offended or affected by any of this, please do not read. The pairing in this story is Jack and Tooth. Even though this is a rewritten version, it will basically stay the same plot wise. (And yes, the ending of this chapter is very rushed)

EDIT: One more thing I would like to add is that this story is very dark and gruesome. It will get worse as the story progresses. As I said before, it will contain foul language (cussing) and will also contain blood and gore related images... it's a torture fanfic. I advise you do not read this if you are uncomfortable with this scenario. I am not putting it as M rated because I do not think you need to be 18 (or at least 17) to read this, but I am putting the warning out there. (Okay, this may seem like a huge build-up overkill for and something absolutely treacherous, but I just want to give you all a fair warning:/)

Please enjoy:)

Pitch, you bastard

Burn in Hell for everything you've done, you sadistic, evil demon

By the Man in the Moon, I hate everything you stand for

I hope, with whatever else I have left, that you fucking die a slow and painful death

Not just for me, but for my family and everything else on Earth

If I don't make it...

They have to

After all I've been through

...Please...

...They have to...

It had been eight glorious years.

It was the year 2020 and the little children that had saved the world eight years ago had grown into bold, proud, young adults.

They had all grown up to be respectable people, and at the age of eighteen, they were all packing up to leave for college or traveling overseas for other purposes.

One of the twins, Caleb, was to go to back to his home roots in South Africa to help conserve the wildlife and study underneath The World Wildlife Fund company. His twin brother, Claude, picked up professional football and was on his way to make it to the big leagues. So, college had been put back for now.

Monty got himself into a college dedicated into aircraft and piloting. Unbeknownst to a lot of his friends, Monty rather enjoyed Jack's sled rides and the feeling of being in the air. Whilst he did excel at robotics and technology during his high school years and was rather afraid of a lot of things, he felt comfortable in the subject.

Cupcake, even against her parents best wishes, sent herself away to an acting academy. Nobody had heard from her since, whether she was successful or not. Cupcake did not, even though she tried, get good grades in high school, but she continued to see a future for herself and she was determined to keep trying.

Pippa got herself an early educational degree in fashion designing and went to Boston College to hopefully get kick-started in that department. It was said that she had been doing remarkably well and was eventually going to be off to France for more tutoring and internships in the next year or so.

On the other hand, Jamie... well, Jamie still didn't know what he wanted to do. Currently, he was at a community college and majoring in robotics and technology. Oddly enough, Monty had pulled him into the subject and it was something the two bonded over. Not to say that Jamie didn't enjoy gadgets and gizmos, he rather had fun as a child doing those sorts of crafts; but Jamie himself knew that he was far too intellectual to be stuck at a computer or in a lab, dissecting codes or prodding metal at a community college for days on end. He was growing bored and dull of it all.

However, Jamie dare not mention it. He knew that his single mother had worked hard to get his college paid for, even though it was significantly cheaper than the universities Jamie had been accepted to. He also knew that robotics and technology was the essence of the future. If he was lucky enough, he could possibly get a well paying job and help support the rest of his family. Kids did this stuff all the time, he wasn't any different or special. So, like any good kid, Jamie sucked it up and pressed on.

While the children had grown and had begun to mature, they began to change. Nevertheless, they were still Believers at heart. Nothing could take that away from them... even though it meant that they couldn't see the Guardians anymore.

Over the years, the heavy responsibility of adulthood clouds childrens' eyes of innocence and wonder, and plagues their hope and dreams. Precious memories fade, and the fun in life is slowly drained from their existence. It is an undeniable and inevitable force of nature that every single child must come to terms with in one way or another. Not to say that they no longer experience fun or have dreams, it's more that reality got in the way and their hopes have been filtered through a screen of doubt and hardships.

Once a child comes to the age of sixteen, it was required for the Guardians (and even other spirits who might have had an interaction with a mortal human) that they no longer see (or be seen) the child any longer. They were forbidden to help them and be a presence in the child's life anymore... for that child was no longer a child. They had to find their own path from now on.

And the trend of this law went on as such:

Some children never believed.

Most of the children refused to believe once the years start to make them turn.

A few children still believed, but had subconsciously turned a blind eye to the Guardians.

A very rare bunch of children grew up with their Belief still entirely intact.

Although it would seem like the very rare bunch Believers had an easier life-as they were supposedly more prone to be optimistic and joyful-they were actually the ones who struggled the most.

They, unlike others who moved on, still desperately clung onto their youth and constantly battled the acceptance of the typical life. They strove to find a different path and follow their dreams, determined not to let their souls be tainted by the world around them. Their death would have meaning, their lives had to have meaning.

Or, on the other hand, one of these children would desperately try to move on, but a part of them would not let their past go.

Or, it could be both of these cases through a brutal set of years.

Even though lots of children had kept their spark of childlike sense about them, they had simply matured and their youthful innocence had eventually been stolen, or more precise, morphed. They simply grew up.

Caleb, Claude, Monty, Cupcake, and Pippa had now moved on and put there childhood behind them. They knew the Guardians existed, they just didn't have time to wistfully dream about them anymore. Thus, they were in no need of the Guardians protection. They had grown up and the Guardians were now invisible to them.

However, unlike Jamie's friends, these other children, this... insanity and desperation festered into something that was exactly what these few children tried to banish from their lives the most...

Fear.

Jamie understood the concept that one could not get rid of fear. As a matter of fact, fear was a necessity to survival. It was just a matter of overcoming it.

And yet... as doubts and uncertainty crawled into Jamie's heart as he grew older, his soul was torn between the light and the darkness. He knew what lurked in the darkness and what roamed about in the light, just beyond the wind and the trees, and the dark alleyways and sewers beneath his feet; the spirits and monsters that ruled the planet and had a hand in the world's very balance and existence... and that's what Jamie feared the most.

They began with very simplistic thoughts which eventually turned into doubts and frustration, but his scent of a struggling, morphing child and a Believer caught the attention of one very, very angry and hideous monster.

It's name was Pitch Black.

Back then, Pitch was a rather mistaken man.

One could deduce that Jack Frost was just a sliver away from becoming someone like him.

Someone who didn't know who they were and insane from being in a world where they couldn't interact with anyone. The yearn to touch and talk was maddening. Whoever was aware of their existence shunned and discriminated them for their apparently harmful sake towards the mortal humans. It was a pointless existence, a punishment worse than death.

It also didn't help that Pitch Black was the king of fear itself. A force that could corrupt and kill like nothing before. Pitch learned that fear was one of the main powers that controlled this world and he learned how to master it; throwing children in vicious cycles of pain and hatred. He observed; people and children alike could overcome their fear, but there was always something else, there was always more.

Always.

That passion set a goal for the nightmare king. He always had something to do. He always had a purpose. Perhaps that was the only thing that made him feel worthy or not go entirely mad in the head on this waste of a planet.

It was a similar situation with Jack Frost. The boy was able to watch and observe the world around him without insult or interruption. He could learn and see things without grant or limitations. Frankly, he was allowed to do anything he wished. Although deeply saddened by his predicament, it kept Jack on his toes and always having something to do.

Deep down, both men were geniuses at heart through years of... listening. Not to say that they didn't make mistakes, but they were wiser beyond their peers and were years ahead of their time.

However, there was indeed a difference between the two.

One was inspired, while the other was repulsed. One desired to be loved, while the other craved for (unjust) respect. One had a good soul and heart, while the other was tarnished and purged with hatred.

Jack, like his element, was beautiful. He had a fair face and his heart was pure. While he could be a bit bothersome, he was but a teenage boy, it was in his nature. But beyond the delicate grace and the troublesome attitude hid a storm. Violent and unforgiving, residing in the darkest corners of the earth and in the deepest pits of Jack's heart.

In comparison to Pitch's element, it was evident that he was not the one in control, such as Jack was. In fact, it was rather that the nightmares and the fear manipulated and corrupted their own master. This is a whole other story entirely, but Pitch himself was playing his own little game. Pitch was afraid of his own personal matters in which the nightmares used to their advantage, they drove him wild mad and with persistence... but Pitch adapted. He learned how to conquer his nightmares and reign above them all; even though they both held a deck of cards in the game. They were the reason of his existence, and Pitch found that he enjoyed it that way.

But now, things... changed.

Pitch could be patient when he wanted to be, he was an immortal after all. However, immortals make mistakes and Pitch made one he would deeply regret within three days time. Once he had figured out how to regain control over his powers since his Dark Ages, he made haste to try to reclaim his throne and overthrow the Guardians. They were a pathetic bunch, after all.

As the saying goes, haste makes waste.

Pitch learned the hard way that he gravely underestimated his foe.

With the help of Jack Frost, the Guardian of Fun, the Guardians were victorious and Pitch was banished beneath the ground whence he came. Pitch could never have imagined that his plan would have gone so horribly wrong, and now he had to pay for his mistake. Trapped underground, the nightmares turned on their leader as they were nothing more than hungry beasts that were let down on a promise of world domination. Now, Pitch was taking the full force of the nightmare's power. Over the years, Pitch was succumbed to their power and pain. He was tortured as the nightmares infested him until there was nothing left. Memories slipped from his mind and morals were no longer of the essence.

A mad man was all Pitch was now. A monster.

And Pitch was now more powerful than ever before and was out to get the winter spirit and the human boy that started it all.

Jack didn't particularly relish inner-peace at the best of times... it was always too silent. Thoughts and horrors would unwillingly creep into his mind and torment him relentlessly. He found that he had to keep himself constantly busy to keep the thoughts at bay.

He never would have imagined that having people there for you would actually help... keeping the thoughts out, that is.

Admittedly, Jack held quite the grudge against the Guardians. It wasn't fair and the foolish lot took what they had for granted. Did Jack hate them? No, hate wasn't the right word. For a lack of better terms, he had a rather cold shoulder for them. They sat around on their high horses, protected by their titles, but what exactly did they do? Sure, they did what they were meant to do... but not really. They just did it for their own gain and selfish reasons. Weren't they the Guardians of Childhood? Where were they when children needed help? Jack was there. He helped. He at least damn well tried harder than any of them ever had. North may have shown the wonder in the world, Bunny may have brought hope in the worst of times, Tooth may have held the importance and power of memories, and Sandy may have given children the strength in their dreams... but at the end of the day, those were just emotions and they were just fantasies.

The children would grow and forget.

But what about him? What about Jack?

Jack was to live as long as Earth was around and be forever stuck at the age of seventeen. Technically, he was still a child. A young adult. Someone who too needed to be protected, saved... loved. Why was Jack doing the Guardian's jobs for them? He was there for the soldiers who sold their souls for the good of their nations. He tried to help the children who suffered and needed joy in their life. He even put a stop to some dangerous people that crawled like rats behind alleyways or hid in plain sight.

Jack felt like he deserved something; but his desire wasn't out of spite or jealousy, he just wanted something that would make him feel whole, like he mattered... like he existed. Was he doing the right thing?

Becoming a Guardian wasn't exactly the reward he was looking for.

They were like the start of a bad joke, or like a group of drinking buddies, or like a group of spoiled toddlers. They didn't act like a group, to say the least. Why, if Jack didn't know any better, it looked as if they didn't know much about each other at all. Hence, why Jack assumed that he must have pulled one string too many to get them gathered together. He must have pissed off Aster at some point or accidentally froze a fairy on one of his days out.

Unfortunately, that was not the case.

Nope, Jack Frost was to become a Guardian.

Ha! As if!

However, unable to get out of the situation, Jack took on the liberty of helping the Guardians so they would get out of his hair once the job was finished.

What Jack didn't take the liberty of was growing attached. Against his best judgment (and not to mention the grudge he held for centuries), Jack grew fond of the Guardians and their antics. Call it attachment issues, but Jack found himself desperately wanting to be excepted by them. Only in his wildest fantasies did he ever wish to be seen and loved by a family and this could be it, happening right now and right in front of him. It was his for the taking. If he didn't fuck anything up.

Which he did, of course.

But they forgave him. They learned and admitted their mistakes. They grew to accept him, to even love him. Jack was a part of their family now. Albeit dysfunctional and still rather doltish, but Jack loved it. It was all he ever wanted. In a way, Jack admitted his own mistakes and assumptions and put them in the past.

So, in the end, the Guardians weren't so bad after all.

They were... harmless. They proved Jack wrong; they surprised him.

And Jack loved them.

And over the years, it just kept getting better.

Eight years is not many for immortal beings, but long enough to make changes.

For one, North had offered Jack a place to stay. The boy kindly refused, but eventually accepted as a kind gesture. Another was that Jack's powers had increased exponentially as well did his Believer count. The last eight winters were some of the best that the world had seen in a millennium. Also, becoming close to the Guardians gave Jack some special perks. He was able to meet up (or make-up with a few of them) some very important spirits throughout the world and help the Guardians with some very important tasks that the winter spirit found rather impressive.

Jack, however, had to admit that the best of it all was his relationship with Toothiana.

Known as a mother figure, voice of reason, a bleeding heart and a legend warrior to many, Jack knew Tooth as another term: girlfriend.

Neither of them were looking for a relationship, but they both found that love is a weird thing.

Between awkward (more like cute) moments, horrible pick-up lines and ice puns (guess who?), and some very strange kissing sessions, Jack and Tooth found themselves in utter bliss and infatuation with each other.

For once, Jack Frost was happy. Genuinely happy.

But there was always something.

Jamie, Jack's first Believer, was eighteen. Jack hadn't seen Jamie on a consistent basis like he normally had for the last couple years. Of course, you weren't supposed to see human mortals at all when they became of age, but Jack made an exception. He would drop by every month or so. Enough so that neither would get lonely or look suspicious.

Per usual, it was that time of the month again.

So, without further ado on this particular day, Jack kissed Tooth goodbye and headed off for the night. Perhaps if he was lucky, Jamie's college roommate was out partying (Jamie explained that he had was a rather nasty fellow and was a fan of being drunk and having hangovers) and he could have another sleepover with Jamie.

When Jack had arrived at the Lackawanna Community College in Pennsylvania, Jack sped straight towards Jamie's dorm room and perched himself right on the windowsill that peered into Jamie and his room mate's dorm. To his surprise, Jack discovered that neither Jamie nor his raunchy room mate were occupying the room. Both Jamie and his room mate had a habit of keeping their dorm room a mess. The room mate's side consisted of dirty clothes and empty fast-food leftovers strewn about while Jamie's half was an amalgamation of a mad scientist at work, bits of metal and robot pieces everywhere and papers had become straight-up wallpaper.

Jack looked over his shoulder to see that Jamie's bicycle (his only mode of transportation besides the bus) was perfectly parked right outside the door.

Where was Jamie? Probably in the communal bathroom.

Jack waited patiently (being only approximately five minutes) before deciding to check in on the men's lavatory. Quickly bursting the door open, it was clear that Jamie wasn't in there.

Where was Jamie? Maybe he actually fell into peer pressure and went out to go party with his roomie.

That was neigh impossible. It was a week night, Jamie had homework. He was very diligent about it (the boy had homework regardless on what day, but it was an important observation). Besides, Jamie utterly despised and almost feared the thought of getting too topsy, surrounded by people who just wanted to get in his pants for the night. It was also extremely odd that Jamie's bed wasn't made. He always remade it before heading out for class every single day. The setting of Jamie's half of the dorm room looked as if he was packing it up for the night. Homework was folded up to the best of its ability and the nightstand lamp looked as if it were waiting to be turned off.

Where was Jamie? He could have walked over to a nearby mart or restaurant.

At this time of night? Most likely not. It was past eleven and all restaurants and marts had closed. Even though the fast food places were still alive and full of college kids, Jack would bet that he wouldn't find Jamie in one of those buildings... the kid hated fast food. It was also a rule for students not to leave campus at night on a week night, and Jamie wasn't a rule breaker.

Where was Jamie?

Jack determinedly did a sweep of the small town, only to come up empty handed after a thorough yet fast investigation. It was then did Jack begin to panic. He ran through more excuses, each one seeming less likely than the next: Maybe he got locked in the school? Jamie's not as stupid as I am. Maybe he's in another dorm, getting it down with a girl? Everything seems quiet, and I checked the premises, remember? Maybe he went back home in Burgess and his mother picked him up? No, both Jamie and his mother are far to busy for that at a time like this. I would have seen him earlier today back at my lake if that was the case!

Jack let out an uneasy, frustrated sigh. He'd go with his last excuse. It wouldn't take him long to travel back to Burgess and double check, anyways. But something in his gut told him that something was amiss and-

Jack halted when he heard a twig snap. His head whirled around to see a pair of gleaming yellow eyes peeking out from behind the bushel.

"Jack!"

That was Jamie's voice!

Without hesitation, Jack pounced.

The thing that had Jamie gave chase, but Jack was faster. However, once he caught up, he only found Jamie by himself.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked firmly, gripping Jamie's shoulder tightly out of protection.

Jamie nodded and spoke, "Yeah, but Jack- it's Pitch! He's back!"

Jack's heart seized in a moment of panic, "Pitch?"

Then, anger washed over. How idiotic did Pitch think he was to come crawling out of his hole and dare to kidnap Jamie? Jack was surely going to put an end to this nonsense, and quickly.

A dark laugh echoed among the walls of the dark alleyway that the boys had found themselves in. Jack's frown deepened as he raised his staff higher. Pitch couldn't win... what was his plan?

Man in Moon... his laugh. Jack though as he shuddered. It wasn't right. It didn't even sound human... was this actually Pitch?

"Jack be nimble, Jack be quick... Jack fell on a candlestick!"

Jack swallowed as a chilling cackle rung out. The shadows in the alleyway began to dance and circle around the boys, bending over and under as if trying to hypnotize them.

Nope, certainly Pitch.

Jack didn't hesitate for another second, this called for the help of the other Guardians. Jack snatched Jamie in his arms and took off into the sky.

He only got to about six stories high when he was smacked back down to the ground by an invisible force. Luckily, Jack had hit the ground first, taking the blunt of the force for Jamie, but Jack seriously whammed his head onto the pavement which managed to force Jack to lye on the ground longer than he would have liked. By the time he came to his senses, Jamie was no longer in his grasp. Jack was in absolutely no shape or form to get up, but his body was in fighting mode; if you get hurt, walk it off and keep fighting, deal with injuries after the fight if you aren't already dead. Challenge as it was to get on his feet, with the support of his staff, Jack managed to do it. He furiously blinked through the coat of tears that instinctively welled in his eyes from the sharp impact of the ground.

I totally have a concussion. Thanks for that, Pitch... you fucking prick.

Jamie was nowhere in sight.

"Jack fell down, and broke his crown... and Jamie came right after!"

Jack growled as he swung his arm in the direction of the voice, a beam of ice shooting from his staff and blasting against the bare wall. "Shut up with your morbid-and completely inaccurate-fairy tales, Pitch! Come out and show your ugly face!"

"Aw," Pitch cooed with a dark chuckle as he stepped out from the shadows, but just barely enough so that Jack could make out the outline of his figure, "is that anyway to treat an old friend?"

Suddenly, Jamie stumbled out from the darkness. Jack rushed towards his friend but Jamie was suddenly pulled back into a choke by a clawed, gray hand. A split second afterward, a knife formed from black sand appeared on his throat. Jamie tried to squirm, but that only resulted in the choke hold becoming tighter and increasingly more painful.

Jack dare not take another step. He took a firm stance and expertly twirled his staff before pointing it at Pitch's shadowed figure with deadly accuracy. "Let him go, Pitch. This is our fight, not his."

"Is it, Jack?" Pitch snapped, Jack caught a glimpse of his yellow eyes and bared razor teeth. Something was off. "If I do recall, this little brat was the reason for my demise."

Jack heavily sighed. As good as he was at thinking on his feet, one wrong word and Jamie would be... "This doesn't mean you have to kill him!"

"You can't talk me out of this, fool."

Jack scoffed, "All the corny bad guys call their nemesis "fools," I thought you were better than that..." he murmured under his breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. Not the best reply, he'd admit, but he needed to stall.

Pitch growled and pulled Jamie in tighter, causing the boy to yelp, "One wrong word and-"

"And you'll kill him, I know how it goes! Just-" Jack twitched. It was amazing how quick things could turn to complete shit. He was in no position to argue or directly unleash his powers. Jamie was at stake. There was nothing he could do... unless, he did what Jack Frost does best.

"What about a negotiation?" Jack didn't do negotiations, especially since it seemed like this was what Pitch wanted, but hopefully if the Man in Moon was watching him tonight...

"That's better." Pitch hissed in a pleasurable tone that made Jack want to vomit.

Jack gripped his staff a little tighter, placing the end back onto the ground. Stall. "So, you want me, is that it?" Jack said as his cockily stuck up his chin.

"You for the mortal boy?" Pitch offered eagerly as he heaved out a dry laughter that made Jamie cringe.

"Me for Jamie." Jack affirmed.

Jack didn't chance glancing down to see the dozens of tiny trails of frost that snaked its way toward Pitch and Jamie, it's source deriving from the end of Jack's staff that was in contact with the ground.

"It's a deal!" Pitch exclaimed manically, "Now come over here and I shall release the boy."

Jack scowled, "You're kidding me, right?"

Pitch cursed beneath his breath in fury as his grip on Jamie tightened, the knife pressing further against the boy's skin. "Don't test me, imbecile!"

Again with the nicknames! Jack thought bitterly, but he kept it to himself. He looked Pitch dead in the eye as a smirk of a grin etched itself on his face. "Please, if I do recall," Jack mocked, "you aren't very honest in your deals."

Pitch grunted threateningly.

So close, he was right there.

"Well, news flash!" Jack yelled, "I'm not either!"

On cue, the trails of frost came up from the ground and latched themselves onto Pitch's limbs in a death grip. Some of the frost turned into ice shards and went straight for his eyes.

"NO! YOU LITTLE BRAT! I WILL MURDER HIM! YOU'RE MINE! YOU'RE BOTH DEAD!"

Jack didn't have time to listen to Pitch shriek and whine. In the blink of an eye, he had already snatched Jamie and was speeding back to his dorm. Once Jack made it, he knew he didn't have much time.

"Turn on every single light. Contact the Guardians-"

"Jack, no! What about you?" Jamie asked in utter and sheer panic and fear.

Jack knew Jamie could figure out how to reach the Guardians just in case something happened to him, but Jack did his job in keeping Jamie safe for now, he at least needed to bide time.

Jack just had one last order and wish, "Stay safe! I'll be fi-"

Jack was suddenly snatched from his feet and ruthlessly dragged from where he came from. The shadows that were dragging Jack extended and went for Jamie who was right outside his door.

"Get inside!" Jack yelled at the top of his lungs before being gagged by one of the shadows.

Jamie let out a shrill scream before opening his door and locking it behind him, the tendrils of nightmare sand fading away behind the closed door. Jamie madly switched on every light in the room, turned on the TV, and even the flashlight he owned. Jamie wanted to go after Jack, he would give anything to, but he learned a rather painful lesson about trying to help fight against magical spirits... humans really couldn't do much at all. All Jamie could do now was help Jack and contact the Guardians. He quickly looked outside to see Jack and the shadows gone, but traces of snow and black sand lingered behind. Jamie didn't waste another second and got to work.

Jamie wildly sifted through his work desk and managed to find a scrap of crumpled yet clear line paper and a blue pen.

PITCH IS BACK. JACK IS IN TROUBLE.

-JAMIE BENNETT

LACKAWANNA COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA

That would get the message across well enough. Jamie stuffed the scrap of paper in a crappy envelop he found underneath his bed and ran outside with a flashlight as quickly as humanly possible. He stuffed the letter in the mailbox that was a collection for all the student's mail. Jamie closed the metal door, waited a second, and then reopened it to find that his letter had vanished. Scurrying back to his dorm, Jamie locked the door behind him and sat on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands.

North would read his letter, he'd gather the Guardians and come here, and Bunny would sniff out a trail, and they'd all go kick Pitch's ass and Jack would be fine. Or, Jack would defeat Pitch on his own and come flying back in a couple hours, saying how cowardly Pitch was before we have a sleepover. The Guardians would drop in and they would explain it all the next morning over some instant ramen and then...

At exactly midnight, Jamie fell asleep, hanging off his bed, still fully clothed. No dreams would bless him tonight.

This was a nightmare, Jack knew that.

Thank the Man in the Moon he knew that.

Jack was on his lake, his back pressed against the cracking ice as his little sister pinned him down with impossible strength whilst wielding a long, sharp dagger.

Jack didn't particularly struggle, he just held his sister firmly as the knife slashed before him at a reasonable distance. A deep frown was etched on his features as he constantly convinced himself that this was a nightmare and not, in fact, real. He understood that much, but it was still gut-hurdling nonetheless.

Jack's sister was completely caked in frost and her little body appeared as if she had frozen to death. "Y-you left me here... alone!" She cried out, her voice gurgled as water bubbled out of her mouth and dribbled ungracefully down her chin, some of the droplets splashing and smearing down Jack's face.

Jack flinched as the regurgitated water hit his face. Jack closed his eyes and turned away. He understood that there was no point in responding, but he felt oddly obligated to. If he couldn't talk to his sister in the real world, this was his only opportunity (albeit a pointless one, but it didn't matter). "But Emma," he began with a soft smile that was rather out of place, "you lived. You were able to grow up and have a good life. You grew up to be a strong, independent woman who I will forever be proud of-"

"Liar!" Emma hissed as she leaned down uncomfortably close to Jack's face. Her breath smelled like rotting fish, her angled teeth stained a yellow and brown. Her blackened hair, that was home to clumps of frost and ice, bobbed in front of Jack's vision.

"Look at what happened to me," Emma gestured to her emaciated body. Her skin, a dry gray and her pupils were a milk white. Blood crusted beneath her feet and left trails from her eyes and mouth, "You failed me... and I will forever hate you for what you did to me..." She was practically Jack's living nightmare.

Jack's heart seized, "No," he responded in a dark tone, "You're just Pitch's twisted idea to get me to break... wicked bastard... using you like this."

Jack's frown suddenly twitched, and to the spirit's horror, he found himself coming to tears. Smart assbastard, he knew a weak spot. Jack couldn't bear to see the image of his beautiful and bright sister used like this... enough was enough. Jack was done, it was time to put an end to this nightmare. Pitch wasn't going to toy with him any longer like this.

Jack released his sister and pulled her in for a tight hug, their chins resting on each others shoulders.

"Since I won't ever be able to tell you in the real world, I'll just say something here; I love you and you love me. I know that much, and that was always good enough for us, wasn't it? I gave my life for yours, and you used it well, that's all I ever wanted. If the opportunity ever came around again, I would kill myself again in a heartbeat."

Jack winced as his sister released a horrid cry into the vacant air; an inhuman shriek that thundered inside Jack's skull and made his body quake... but he only held on tighter. Jack didn't even let go when he felt something plunge into his back and straight through his chest. A gasp escaped his lips as a pressure began to build up in his chest that he could not release. He could just barely make out the tip of a dagger protruding from his chest. It wasn't necessarily painful, but Jack could sense that it was enough to bring him back to reality as he felt his senses begin to drag him into a deep darkness.

Jack let go of his sister and looked at her one last time. She rolled to the side, somehow dead, her bloody knife falling out of her grasp.

Jack let out a haggard sigh as he placed a hand upon his bleeding chest as he gazed up at the haze that was meant to be a sky. Tears finally leaked from his eyes. It was just him, bleeding, dying, lying on a sheet of ice with his corpse of a sister.

He smiled.

I can take it.

This is fine.

It's going to be okay.

I'll make it through.

Coming to, Jack opened his eyes wide as he sucked down air instead of his own blood. He eventually calmed his breaths as he gathered in his surroundings, only to find that he couldn't see a thing. Jack reopened his eyes and blinked numerous times to confirm that they were, indeed, open. The darkness that surrounded him was suffocating and made his skin crawl. He could only assume that he was residing in Pitch's underground cavern, but he dared not venture in such a state in fear of getting even more lost. Jack felt around ever so slightly to find that his staff was nowhere near him. Peachy.

With his staff out of reach and unable to see a damn thing, Jack stayed put.

What if I'm blind?

Jack's heartbeat doubled pace at the thought, but slowed down once Jack realized how stupid that prospect was. If Pitch was going to make him blind, he would make him suffer for it.

How long have I been down here?

Jack, unable to answer his own question, held his breathe as he listened for a sound.

It was dead silent. It made his ears ring. Nature wasn't silent. Jack could barely hear his faint breaths, his heartbeat echoing in his eardrums. Jack trailed one of his hands to the cuff of his sweatshirt, proceeding to then toy with it at a feverish pace. Jack let out a sigh of content and peace as he heard the ruffle of fabric against his nails. Jack then let his fingertips glide over the rest of his clothing, feeling the softness of his sweatshirt and the leather straps that were bound around his calves. It gave him a reassuring feeling, unlike the dirty floor that he sat upon.

As wrong as it sounded, feeling himself (more like his clothes) made Jack feel more relaxed. At least he could touch something that felt familiar.

Surely he would go insane a whole lot sooner if he were left here to himself for centuries, but Pitch wasn't that patient (was he?)... and the Guardians would find him soon enough.

Jack just would have liked if the blasted darkness could go away a bit.

As if the gods heard his thoughts, the darkness began to recede. The vacancy of the darkness did not leave light, but it made it possible to see... somehow. Jack was pretty positive that wasn't how science worked, but he didn't question it further.

Jack couldn't hold back a surprised gasp when Pitch suddenly flew out of the shadows at an inhuman speed, coming to an abrupt halt right before Jack's face. Jack grimaced as he reeled away, horror grinding into his soul. Pitch's face was hideous. Monstrous; well, half of it. One half was normal (or what Jack had remembered last time he saw Pitch), but the other half had transformed into a gruesome mess of black sand that peeled his mouth back, tearing it back to his ear, showing off a frightening set of razor teeth. His nose protruded far... almost like a snout, and his eye was gushing a never-ending flow of red puss. Stepping out from the darkness, Jack could make out the rest of his... body. His arms had become far to long, and his fingers had grown into claws. Instead of legs and feet that were hidden underneath a robe, it appeared that Pitch's lower half had melted into a mold of black sand, acting like a form of slime that allowed Pitch to slink about.

Jack's mouth twitched again before finally finding the courage to bolt.

Jack sprinted beyond Pitch and didn't look back. In the past years, Jack had trained in combat like never before, now he could best even the most feared spirits. He might have some fleeting chance of escaping.

A huge exaggeration on the 'might.'

Before long, Jack knew he made a grave mistake.

He was in Pitch's territory. The ghoulish devil was probably laughing at him at this very moment. I should stop. Jack thought as he bounded over pillars and smoothly slid around corners. This won't get me anywhere. That was true, Pitch could alter his underground lair as he pleased... who knew where Jack was going? And without his staff, it wasn't like he could just powerhouse out.

"Where do you think you're going!?"

Pitch manifested from the wall, causing Jack to blindly swing. Jack struck Pitch's face with great force, but his fist passed right through. Pitch's face had momentary become black sand to absorb the hit but reformed in a mere moment. Jack violently kicked and unleashed some skills that Bunny had taught him but Pitch was tanking everything. Nothing was hurting him. Physical offense was all Jack had and it clearly wasn't working.

Without warning, one of Jack's hands (that hit Pitch in the shoulder) became entirely lodged in Pitch's body. His hand had molded into Pitch's body! Jack tugged, terrified and disgusted, but his hand wouldn't budge from where it was stuck. A worried whimper escaped Jack's lips as Pitch's grin snarled above him. Before Jack even knew it, he was slammed and pinned up against a wall, black sand pressing on his chest.

Fuck... Jack started laughing.

"You foolish bastard." Pitch sneered, his nose pressing against the side of Jack's jaw. Without warning, Pitch's tongue slithered out from his mouth and licked Jack's jawline.

"Popsicle!" Jack gritted out in Pitch's ear, causing Pitch to recoil with confusion.

Jack retaliated, "It's my safe word, dumb ass!"

Instead of the annoyed anger that Jack was vying for, Pitch instead got as cocky. "You're going to need a lot of safe words in the near future..."

Jack grunted as he tried to fight off the sand keeping him locked on the wall, but it had molded stiff. "What's that supposed to mean?" He huffed.

"Let me rephrase that-" Pitch said as he took a tight grip on Jack's hair and gave one painful tug, causing Jack to sharply inhale, "-get comfortable with feeling rather... uncomfortable."

"What are ya gonna do?" Jack teased, licking his lips. "I'll get out of here. The Guardians will find me."

"That's the point, but by then," Pitch sunk his claws into Jack's jaw, his nails piercing through his skin, causing Jack to muffle a squeal, "you won't be able to say their names."

Pitch's words hit Jack like a bullet train and the pain sunk into his bones. He felt as if he were floating, falling. Jack then realized that he was, in a sense, actually floating. The wall he was pressed against was sucking him in. Jack gave one last ditch effort and pulled against his restraint, but to no avail.

"No..." Jack whimpered as he was pulled into the wall entirely, the last thing he saw being Pitch's knowing eyes.

What did I get myself into?

Thank you for reading. Peace!

-SkatingDJ

P.S. I would also like to thank everyone, from this fanfic and my other ones, for your support and kind words on my previous author's note. It truthfully gave me the motivation that I needed to get writing. Seriously, thank you, it was so nice to see your reviews after I posted it.