AN: So, here's my new story. I basically follow the plot of the movie but from this new angle of Jack being Pitch's slave so some things have to change. I have most of written out already, so updates should be fairly often. This chapter is long and there's a lot going on, but the others should be a bit shorter. If you have any questions, you can PM me. Also, please favourite, follow, review, etc. I do not own Rise of the Guardians.

Flying through the world, Jack didn't care where he was. He was just enjoying the fresh air and the feel of the wind rushing in his face. He spread his snow everywhere, feeling only a hint at joy. That emotion had been mostly lost to him after all his time in the darkness.

Speaking of darkness, Jack tugged uncomfortably at the black collar around his neck. It was mostly hidden by his deep blue hoodie, except for the hook where a leash could be attached, which protruded. He really needed to get back to the lair, his allotted time above ground was almost over.

Suddenly, a shadow rushed in front of him, rattling trash lids as it went. It didn't feel like one of Pitch's nightmares, but just in case he was being summoned, Jack followed. As he touched down lightly in the alley, blue eyes danced wearily across his surroundings.

A form materialized, tall, rigid and fur covered, twirling a boomerang. "Hello mate, been a long time, Blizzard of '68 I believe. Easter Sunday, wasn't it?" the figure said coolly, Australian accent prominent. The winter spirit barely had time to register the words when two beefy paws latched onto his shoulders, shoving him unceremoniously into a rough cloth sack.

He heard muffled voices, one unmistakably the Australian accent that had spoken before. The others were more animalistic grunts.

Before another thought could flash through his mind, Jack felt the bag fly through the air. Then, it twisted around and landed with a jolt on the hard floor. Nothing restraining him, Jack cautiously lifted the bag, wondering briefly if this was one of Pitch's punishments.

However, the sight that greeted him was so unexpected that the spirit almost tripped over the sack in his surprise… Gathered around were the Guardians. These beings that Jack had only seen from a distance mostly, a long time ago. That was before he had been captured by Pitch.

"Jack, I hope the yetis treated you well," North boomed, causing the boy to flinch. He was curious about why he was there, but knew better than to ask questions.

"You must be wondering vhy you are here," North continued, as if answering Jack's thoughts. "Well, now you are a Guardian."

The winter spirit deadpanned, uncomprehending. Dramatic music began to play, yetis lining up solemnly. Elves hurried forward as the blaring trumpets rose to crescendo. Fire swirled around, making Jack uncomfortable as his powers threatened to counteract the opposite force. He decided to release it in an angry down burst of his staff, hoping to dispel it at the strike.

Instead, frost spread out around him, silencing the yetis and Jack recoiled in fear. He wasn't allowed to use his powers around people.

"Jack, what's wrong?" Tooth asked gently, fluttering over to him.

He didn't wish to say anything, but she had asked a question. "I don't understand, what is this about?"

"North told you, we want to make you a Guardian," Tooth replied patiently, gazing at him with an emotion he almost didn't recognize, was it concern? He shook his head, lowering his gaze, but his eyes danced with sadness, turning them a stormy blue. He could never be a Guardian. He was a worthless, good for nothing spirit who was nothing but trouble.

The rabbit stepped forwards, voicing Jack's thoughts. "You know what? I think we just dodged a bullet. I mean what does this clown know about giving joy to children?" The tone was biting and cut deep into Jack, not that he wasn't used to the sentiment. He kept his head bowed, consciously avoiding everyone's gaze, tugging uncomfortably at his collar. There was a sharp intake of breath and blue eyes flicked up to see Tooth staring down at him.

"What is that?" she gasped, gazing towards his neck.

Pale fingers hovered around the black band, colours contrasting. "A collar," he muttered reluctantly, eyes boring a hole in the floor.

Tooth took a step towards him and Jack had to fight the urge to step back. Nothing good ever happened when someone got that close to him. "But who put it on you?" she prodded.

Jack sighed inwardly. "Pitch Black," he murmured, almost shuddering as a wave of fear swept over him. He was so late, Pitch was going to be furious.

"What?" North roared, coming closer. This time, Jack did take a step backward, eyes wearily studying the big man.

"Why would Pitch put a collar on ya, mate?" Bunny demanded, eyes hard.

"To control me and mark me as his," Jack answered miserably, repeating the reason that Pitch had given him when putting the thing on.

The Guardians reeled back in shock. "Pitch controls you? I told you we couldn't trust the gumby," Bunny seethed, turning towards the other Guardians.

North's clear blue eyes studied Jack searchingly and the winter spirit had to fight the urge to squirm under the penetrating gaze. "Pitch captured you, right?" Jack nodded, remembering the incident all too well. It seemed like a long time ago. "Walk with me," North demanded. The winter spirit trailed after the man, gazing about in silence.

They took a few turns, then went down a lift, arriving at a large room. It was bustling with activity as yetis moved to and fro. Toy planes and kites flew through the air, looping above their heads. Everywhere there was something going on, yetis painting, trains whirling around on their tracks. Jack gazed at it all, eyes wide.

"Keep up Jack," North called over his shoulder. The winter spirit snapped to obey. They arrived at a smaller room, Russian leading the way. "Fruitcake?" he offered, holding up the pastry. Jack shook his head.

The door slammed shut behind them and Jack's heart skipped a beat. Was he going to punish him? Locked doors always meant trouble … and pain.

"Now, let's get down to tax e brass," came North's deep voice as he advanced towards Jack. Fear crawled its way up his throat and he closed his eyes, waiting for the strike. When nothing came, he looked up to see North grabbing something off a shelf. Before Jack could tense up again, the object was forced into his hands.

"This is how you see me, no?" North asked, gesturing towards the red Russian nesting doll now in Jack's pale hand. "Big, intimidating, but if you get to know me," he gestured for the spirit to remove a layer. "I am fearless," another gesture, "caring … mysterious … and at my centre." North paused, removing the last layer from Jack's hand and dropping a smaller figure into the pale palm. There was no answer forthcoming, so the Russian prompted, "What do you see?"

"A tiny wooden baby," Jack ventured, voice small.

"Look closer," North instructed.

The spirit did as he was told, gazing down at the figure in his hand. "You have big eyes," Jack guessed quietly.

"Yes!" the Guardian yelled, gesturing around wildly and missing the boy's flinch. "Big eyes that see the wonder in everything: the music in the trees, the magic in the air. It is what I put into the world and what I protect in children." His voice dropped, "It is my centre, what is yours?"

"I d-don't know," Jack stuttered, unnerved by the whole situation.

Bunny burst into the room, eyes fixing on North. "Trouble at the Tooth palace, mate."

"Come along Jack," North called before rushing off.

Jack couldn't refuse an order, so he followed reluctantly, once again considering how much trouble he would be in.

They stopped at a long tunnel, waiting as something was brought out of the shadows. Reindeers clopped forward, shaking their heads and pawing at the ground. Behind trailed the … sleigh? That wasn't a good enough word for it. It looked like a flaming red, high tech racer with oak paneled runners as a base.

Jack followed North and Sandy up into the sleigh, sitting in the far back corner.

"I think my tunnels would be safer," Bunny declared, pawing nervously at the sleigh. North sighed and leaned over, deftly lifting the complaining rabbit by his shoulder strap and into the vehicle.

"Buckle up," North called.

Bunny panicked, "where are the seatbelts."

"Iz just expression," the Russian whooped. They shot off, rocketing along the frozen track. When they launched into the air, Jack almost felt like smiling. Then, he shook himself quickly, fun was not allowed.

A blue light enveloped them as the sleigh shot through a portal, coming up on a hectic scene. Black blurs, nightmares of course, were chasing little blue and green whirs. Jack leaned forward, wondering what they were … little tooth fairies! Without thought, he shot forward, staff clenched in his grip as he snatched a fairy from the jaws of a black mare. He flew down to the sleigh, thoughts catching up with him. What had he just done?

You rescued a fairy, a small part of him whispered.

You went against Pitch, he's going to hurt you, the rest of him screamed. The little fairy curled up in his palms, gazing at him with gratitude shining in its purple eyes.

The sleigh crashed through the Tooth Palace, scattering nightmares. "Jack, take the reigns," North called.

The winter spirit obeyed, snapping them up and urging the horses forward. North jumped up to fight the nightmares, slashing through a few with his gleaming sabers. Distracted, Jack led the sleigh to a less than graceful landing, jostling its occupants.

Everyone jumped out, rushing to Tooth. She was looking around, dazed, wings faltering. "They took everything," she muttered, "all my fairies." The one Jack had rescued decided to make an appearance, fluttering up to calm her mother.

"This is very exciting. The Big Four, all in one place, I'm a little star struck," a voice cooed, oily and unpleasant.

Pitch Black coalesced out of the shadows. "And who is … Jack!" he screamed, cocky smile turning into a sneer. He tried to advance towards the winter spirit, whose heart was now clenched in fear. However, the Guardians stepped in front of him, forming a barrier.

"Oh, what's this?" Pitch asked, voice cold. "Are the Guardians trying to protect you, Jack? Well it's much too late for that." A cold laugh rang out. "Jack come here," the Nightmare King called sternly.

Before the Guardians could protest, the winter spirit crept forward, head down. He stopped before the man, shaking with fear. "Staff," he demanded, hand outstretched. Jack handed it over without complaint. "You thought you could get away from me, huh?" Jack shook his head and the Guardians looked on, at first stunned, then fearful that their intervention could lead Jack to getting hurt.

A crack echoed through the palace as Pitch struck Jack across the cheek. He stumbled back, but was quickly restrained. The next part happened too quickly as the Big Four ran forward to intervene. A coil of sand attached itself to Jack's collar and then wrapped itself around a nearby pole, effectively putting the spirit on a leash. Pitch growled, "I'll deal with you later," before turning to greet the rushing Guardians, missing Jack's flinch.

A blast of dark sand held them back and they all stumbled.

"You have no right to treat him like that," Bunny yelled.

"But I do, he's my property," Pitch laughed.

He vanished and reappeared, drawing the Guardian after him. "Release Jack and give me back my fairies or I'll-," Tooth raged.

"What," the Nightmare King cackled, "You'll stick a quarter under my pillow?"

The Guardians flew after him, battle raging. Jack stepped forward towards the edge of the platform, watching the fight below. The chain brought him up short and they disappeared from view. He sighed, body shaking in fear of what Pitch would do to him.

Something hurtled up from below and Jack quickly backpedaled, pressing his back against the column he was tied to. However, it wasn't a black shape that his eyes registered, but multiple coloured ones, floating on a golden cloud. The Guardians.

"Jack," Tooth began softly. He lowered his eyes, not wanting to see the hate he was sure was in their eyes. Something touched his arm and he flinched wildly before noticing it was a slender hand, Tooth's. "I'm so sorry Jack," she whispered. He looked at her, confused, then at the others. They also looked guilty, sad and apologetic. Now he was really confused, his eyebrows scrunching together.

"Can you get it off Sandy?" Bunny asked. The golden man stepped forward and Jack tried to recoil even more. However, before he could, gold sand shot towards him, but instead of hitting him, it dissolved the leash. Sandy frowned.

"Vhat about collar?" North questioned. Sandy shook his head, sand didn't work.

"Are you okay, Jack?" the Russian asked. The winter spirit nodded mutely. They were worried about him? A thin stick was thrust towards him. His staff! He grabbed it quickly, muttering his thanks.

Tooth's wings faltered and she landed heavily on the ground. Sandy conjured a cloud beneath all of them, drifting them downwards until they were on the ground in front of a fading mural.

The fairy drifted towards it, wings beating laboriously. Jack followed behind, forming frost on the small pool in front of the wall so he could walk forwards. He flinched a little as he considered that he was showing his powers, but dismissed it at the Guardians' lack of a reaction.

"May I ask a question?" Jack asked softly.

"Of course," Tooth replied gently.

"Why do you collect the teeth?"

"They hold the most important memories of childhood. We had everyone's here, even yours." Jack's mouth fell open, desperately wanting to ask something, but he hadn't been given permission. "What is it, Jack," Tooth asked.

"My memories?" he croaked, "I wasn't anyone before I was Jack Frost."

A look of confusion crossed over the fairy's face. "You don't remember? We were all someone before we were chosen."

Jack shook his head sadly. They were probably wrong, he most likely had been born into this life, a useless spirit who no one liked.

Tooth's wings stuttered and the mural began to dissolve. "Oh, no. The children, we are too late. They don't believe."

North paced around, thinking. Suddenly, he whirled around, sword extended and almost kissing Bunny's nose. "Idea," he screamed, "ve will collect teeth."

"What?!" Tooth yelled back, fluttering about. "We are talking 7 continents, millions of kids.

"Give me break," North replied, waving a hand through the air. "You know how many present I deliver in one night."

"And eggs I hide in one day," Bunny chimed in, over his near brush with cold steel.

Sandy gave a big thumbs up.

"You in Jack?" the Guardian of Wonder asked, wheeling around to face the winter spirit who was crouched down, watching the scene unfold. His eyes widened and flashed momentarily with fear, then uncertainty. He couldn't defy Pitch. Or could he? … No, it would lead to him getting hurt … but was it worth it?

"Why don't you at least come with us. You can decide later," North suggested. Jack nodded, hopping into the sleigh with everyone else.