Chapter 3

The Yetis were torn. Attack the known enemy or help Jack. They wanted to do both but they couldn't get near Jack without getting near Pitch. For a few moments they muttered among themselves. At the very least they could be a distraction till the guardians got there. One had already gone ahead to get them.

After a few tense beats of silence Pitch stood earning glares from the Yetis and a few jumped. He couldn't help the devious smile that crept to his lips. Yet all the same, Pitch just gave them an annoyed glance as turned to Jack. "Do guest always get such a warm welcome?" A few of the yetis gave indignant growls. Pitch just ignored them.

Jack glared up at him for a moment as he let the pain subside once more. "Jack, what happened?" One of the Yetis finally asked earning a look from Jack. "Are you hurt?" Another added softly seeming a bit unsure with Pitch next to their regular trouble maker. While some had been angry at Pitch for what he had done and how he could be dangerous others were just worried for the kid that had gone from pest to annoying common guest. Many of the yetis had taken to Jack like the little brother that you just have to adore.

Jack opened his mouth to speak but was cut off with North and the others storming in. Tooth fluttered in with Baby Tooth and a few other little fairies behind her. Sandy yawned but soon was at full alert. "I should have known you were behind this." Bunny spat glaring at him as he took a step forward to intimidate but North held out an arm to stop him. Bunny huffed as he glared at Pitch.

"How did you get in here? Workshop is more guarded now than before." North questioned stroking his beard and noticed Sandy staring towards Pitch. He was of course always silent but still, this was different. North let his eyes wonder back taking in the bigger picture as Tooth had her say. Everyone was tense in the moment. North though as to what had lead to this situation. Nothing about this made any sense.

"Stop…" Jack spoke as another pain stabbed his chest. The guardians didn't seem to here him through there back and forth with Pitch. Jack noted, though it had been some time between stabs,the intensity dulled a bit as well. The tensions steadily rose and yet the temperature started to rapidly drop. The yetis noticed the dropping temperatures and a few of them back out of the room as some tried to warn North. North at first tried to wave them off but noted the worried expressions.

"Nothing has changed in the past couple of years at all." Pitch spoke with a low growl as the nightmare materialized at his side. His words drew all attention to him once again. That's when they finally noticed Jack, on his knees with his face twisted in pain at Pitch's side. Horror spread across their faces. Pitch glanced down at the frost covered teen realizing how this really looked to them. He tensed but for once wasn't sure what to say as he wasn't trying to be the bad guy this time. Though was he ever trying to be in the first place.

"Jack!" Tooth gasped and covered her mouth with a hand in shock being the first to be able to even speak. North readied his swords as Bunny started throwing his boomerangs. The yetis had all moved back to block any escape Pitch could think to try. A few still looked worried not wanting fighting to break out it the workshop again.

Jack looked up and at them as frost spread across the ground before larger shards of ice spread up the walls and the boomerangs got shot down by blades of ice. "Stop, we need his help to stop… this." Jack told them as he stood. The nightmare stood at Jack's side to support him. The room, still tense, grew silent. Pitch still ready to defend himself gave the frost boy a side glance. North turned to look at Sandy who returned the look and nodded. North put away his swords. Bunny, begrudgingly, picked up his boomerangs.

"Jack," Jamie's soft and timid voice broke the long silence. Everyone in the room turned to him as he stood in the entrance. "Jack, where's Sophie?" Phil stood at Jamie's side as he was the one that brought the boy. Only he could see the light trembling in his hands. Everyone could see the worry in the child's eyes. They felt their hearts twist as he tried to be strong but was so close to breaking.

Jack looked away trying to get the words and felt a different pain burn his chest as he looked to see the tears running down the boy's pail cheeks. The soft gasp made Jack's eyes dampen and burn. Without a moment more of hesitation Jack crossed the room and dropped hard to his knees before his first believer. He pulled Jamie into his arms. A soft sob wracked his body as he clenched tightly to the boys clothes. He had felt guilt before but this was the most pain he had felt in some time. "We'll get her back, no matter what, we'll get them all back."