Another chapter! a lot faster an update than i recently have done! but we are coming to the end of the story soon. not sure how many chapters left but a good amount i would say. this chapter i have been working on a while but finally today, my writer's block was gone and i feel like i wrote so much! And now i got a better sense of where this story is going! So hopefully updates will be sooner. Also anybody else ever feel like they wrote a million pages on microsoft word and then when i paste it here its like barely anything? i have like 50 pages worth of this story, but then posting it, it looks like nothing. Weird lol. Enjoy this chapter! hope you like it!

Chapter 10:

Bunny was the first to recover after Jack's attack. He scrambled off the floor and rushed to the window, slipping on ice and nightmare sand, but he was too late. He couldn't see any trace of Jack. All that was left of Jack was his blood on the bed and floor. The Guardians slowly got up, massaging their sore muscles after getting tossed into the wall.

"Jack, is he?"

"Gone, Tooth," sighed Bunny, he's ears drooping at his failure. He promised Jack he would protect him and that Pitch wouldn't get near him again. And once again he failed.

"Bunny?" said Tooth softly, placing her hand on his shoulder.

He shrugged it off, "This is all my fault. Again. I told Frostbite I would protect him. I promised him Pitch would never get near him again and I failed!"

"It is all our fault Bunny. Not just yours," said North, "We should have known that Pitch was just using his fearlings for a distraction."

"Now, we've lost him," said Bunny, looking back at the window into the frozen snow filled land.

"We just have to get him back then," said North.

"How?" asked Tooth.

Bunny looked at his fellow Guardians, each of them trying to think of what to do next but none of them were sure. How could they find Jack? And even if they did how could they save him? Bunny could only think of one person who had the answer and it was about time he had a few words with him anyway.

"I think it's time to talk to Manny," said Bunny.

"Manny?" said Tooth, "Are you sure?"

"He may be the only one who knows how we can turn Jack back into himself and I think it's time we got some answers from him."

"About what exactly?" asked North.

"You heard Jack, or this nightmare sand version of Jack, Manny brought him back to life and took away his memories. I want to know why. How could he do that to Jack? Why not tell us? We could have protected him."

The others just looked back at Bunny, unsure of what to say. Finally, Sandy caught their attention and nodded his approval.

"You're right Bunny. I will go set up the Globe Room. It is time we got some answers from him," said North.

Jack felt weird. He didn't know what this Shadow Jack did to him, but whatever it was, it wasn't good. He was wandering around an empty Burgess. He didn't have his staff with him, so he couldn't even fly.

Why don't you just give up Jack? Let Pitch take over.

"No," mumbled Jack.

Stop fighting me Jack. You are going to lose eventually. You can't keep me out of your head forever. Sooner or later, you will give in.

"No! I am not giving up! Just get out of my head!" Jack yelled.

The voice in his head just laughed. You aren't even in control of your own body right now Jack. What makes you think you are going to survive much longer? Just look at your feet.

Jack's head shot down. His feet were starting to turn black.

"What are you doing to me?"

When your entire body is consumed by nightmare sand, you will no longer exist. Your colder and more deadly side will have taken over. And let me tell you, this side likes working with Pitch much better.

"No! I'm not going to let that happen! The Guardians-"

Will what Jack? What will your precious Guardians do? You've already hurt them.

"What—what?"

Let me show you.

A sheet of ice formed in front of Jack, showing him images. He could the Guardians trying to talk to him, but he couldn't see what they were saying. Suddenly, he saw his hand shoot out in front of him and nightmare sand mixed with ice threw the Guardians against the wall.

"What have you done!?"

What have I done? I think the question is what have you done? That was you Jack. They aren't going to forgive you. Just let the darkness in. As we speak the darkness is healing your body. Wasn't it the Guardians who let that happen to you? Even after Bunnymund promised to protect you?

"No, that was Pitch. They didn't—,"

Pitch didn't want to hurt you Jack. He wanted to prove to you that the Guardians didn't care about you. And they were right. They let you get hurt and they let you walk out of the pole.

"NO! Stop! Just stop talking!" yelled Jack, falling to his knees.

Through his tears he could the blackness had come up to his ankles.

The Guardians will help him, he thought. They will find him and fix him. Bunny promised to protect him. He wouldn't lie. Right now he needed to find a way to get rid of this shadow. He needed his staff.

The Guardians walked into the Globe Room. Bunny noticed that the crystal that had revealed that Jack was chosen as a new guardian was out in the room. Though this time it was not glowing. This only meant that Manny was not there yet, they had to call to him when the Moon shone through the window like last time. Bunny looked up and noticed that the Moon was almost fully in the window; any minute now they would be able to contact Manny.

"Do you think we will be able to contact him?" asked Tooth.

"Yes," said North, confident.

"We haven't been able to contact him since we came together as Guardians though," she added.

"Manny contacts us when there is trouble," said Bunny, "He contacted us when he needed Jack to be a Guardian. And for all the trouble that has been going on, he has to be aware of it. We need him. We need answers. I think he'll be able to get to us, even if it won't be for very long."

The communication between Manny and the Guardians were very difficult. Manny didn't interfere unless it was absolutely necessary. They understood that they had to watch over the children of the world on their own, it was their responsibility. But Bunny couldn't help but feel a bit angry towards Manny. If he really created Jack with the hopes of him one day being a Guardian, then why not tell the Guardians themselves? They could have looked out for him. Instead Bunny didn't even tolerate him. Then there was the disaster that was 68. Bunny made a side note to apologize to Jack about that as well and get his side of the story. He sighed, he suddenly felt that the list of apologies was getting longer and longer. Bunny pushed this aside though, right now he had to focus on getting Jack back. And to do that he first had to talk to Manny.

The moon shifted into window and as it did, it shone brightly. The crystal began shining as well. The Guardians stood around it, waiting anxiously. Suddenly, a bright light shone, blinding the Guardians for a moment. When they opened their eyes they were no longer at North's workshop. They stood outside in a meadow. It felt familiar, like somewhere they had been before but had forgotten over time.

"You are still at the Pole," said a voice from behind them. One that they haven't truly heard in a very long time. A sound that they almost forgot.

The Guardians turn and find the Man in Moon himself standing before them, looking just as he did when they had first met him.

"This is just a dream like vision. I did something similar when I talked to Jack Frost earlier," Manny continued.

"Manny," said North, "It's been a long time my friend."

Sandy smiled and nodded in agreement.

"It's so good to see you!" exclaimed Tooth.

Manny smiled, "It is good to see you too. All of you."

Manny looked at each one of his Guardians, finally resting his eyes on Bunny. Bunny said nothing. Though he was really glad to see his old friend, right now his anger with him was stronger. Manny seemed to sense this because a moment later he sighed.

"I know what you are going to say Aster. I know you are angry with me and have lots of questions. And we may not have much time. I cannot keep this form up for very long. It is why I have not made contact in so long."

"My anger isn't important right now. Jack is what is important. We need your help on how to save him," said Bunny evenly.

"Yes," agreed North, "Pitch has taken control of Jack."

Manny sighed, "I know. As you all know, Pitch has learned to take Sanderson's dream sand and turn it into his own nightmare sand. And in doing so, he has become desperate to recruit Jack Frost. Especially after the last battle he had with you last year. He saw how powerful Jack was and has been desperate to get him on his side. Pitch thought he would be able to persuade him. Since they share similar…experiences."

Bunny was about to make a snappy comment about how that was Manny's fault but a quick look from Sandy shut him up. It wasn't the time to hit Manny with those questions just yet. So he stayed quiet.

"However, Jack is much stronger than that. He has resisted Pitch for a very long time. Pitch has become desperate. He hoped that weakening Jack would leave him in a vulnerable enough state to test a new theory on him. He infused the nightmare sand within Jack. And as long as that nightmare sand remains inside Jack, he will be influenced by the darkness. Jack has a hard job. Jack brings the fun out of winter. But winter can also be cruel and harsh. The nightmare sand will take out the fun and control Jack has over his element. It will only leave the harsh of winter. A dangerous side to Jack that can never be revealed. A side that will only help Pitch and his quest for darkness."

"So what do we do?" asked Tooth, "There has to be a way to save him!"

"Jack will most likely be fighting within his own mind. He is living a nightmare, while his body is being controlled by Pitch's nightmare sand. You must reach out to him. Find a way to help break Jack free from the hold the nightmare sand has over him. You must also get the sand out of him."

"Sandy tried to convert it back to his sand, but it wasn't working well," said North.

"If you can reach Jack, then the nightmare sand will be weaker, allowing Sanderson to change it back his dream sand and extract it from Jack much more easily," replied Manny.

"So how do we reach Jack?" asked North.

They all stood together silently, looking at one another for an idea. Bunny was close last time to getting Jack back, it was only for a moment, but it wasn't enough. They needed something stronger. Suddenly, Sandy drew a light bulb over his head. He flew in front of the rest of them.

"What is it Sandy?" asked Tooth, excitedly.

He drew two people side by side. One with a snowflake over its head. That had to be Jack, thought Bunny. The other was smaller…like a child.

"Jamie?" said Bunny, hope coming to him for the first time since Jack had attacked them. He had mentioned Jamie to Jack and the good times they had in the past year. It had brought Jack back to them for a moment. Maybe actually seeing and hearing Jamie was the answer.

Sandy smiled and nodded back at him, giving him a thumbs up.

"Of course!" said North, "What better person to reach Jack, then his first believer? Jamie represents everything he was fighting against Pitch for. He was the first one to see Jack and prove to Pitch that fear was not the answer."

"But will we be putting Jamie in danger by going near Jack?" asked Tooth, worry in her voice.

"No," said Bunny, "We can protect him. We may have failed at protecting Jack but we can protect Jamie and get Jack back. We have to. And if Jamie is the key to getting Jack back is Jamie, then Jack won't hurt Jamie."

The Guardians looked at one another. Bunny could feel their hope for the first time. They had a plan. They could get Jack back. There was just one thing left to take care of.

Bunny turned his attention back to Manny. "When the nightmare sand took over Jack, he mentioned that he died to become Jack Frost. What happened?"

Manny looked up at Bunny, his eyes sad but after a moment he sighed, "He was correct."

Bunny waited for him to continue.

"Jack was young. He brought joy and fun to all the children he lived with. I had my eyes set on him to one day be a guardian. However, I could have never predicted what would happen next," said Manny, he swung his hand in front of them and the scene around them changed.

Instead of standing in a meadow, they were in the middle of woods covered in snow. A lake stood in the middle. After a moment, Bunny realized where they were.

"Burgess," said Bunny.

"Yes," said Manny, "I will show you what happened."

Two figures appeared on the ice. A boy with brown hair and a little girl with brown hair. The scene reminded Bunny of Jamie and his sister Sophie, except Sophie had blonde hair. The Guardians stepped closer to them.

"Jack, Jack, I'm scared," said the girl.

The boy looked up at his sister. The boy's eyes shone with fear when he saw that the ice was cracking beneath her skates. He tried to take a step but the ice beneath his foot cracked as well, making him still.

"I know, I know. You're not going to fall in. We're going to have a little fun instead."

"No we're not!" she called out, fear filling her voice.

"Would I trick you?"

"Yes! You always play tricks!"

Jack chuckled, "Well, not this time. I promise, I promise. You're going to be fine. You have to believe in me."

She stared back at her brother and gave him a slight nod.

"You want to play a game? We're going to play hopscotch. Like we play everyday!" he said.

"One," said Jack, taking a step, another crack appearing beneath his foot. His face shone with worry for a moment, but he quickly wipes the fear away and instead pretends to wobble on one foot. The gesture makes his sister smile and laugh.

"Two," he said, taking another step, this time the ice doesn't break, "Three."

Jack stood on the more solid ice.

"Alright, now it's your turn," said Jack, grabbing the curved stick next to his foot. "One."

She took a step, the ice cracking once again beneath her skates. She looked up at her brother, fear coming to her eyes.

"That's it, that's it," Jack mumbled, "Two."

She took another step. She is almost near Jack.

"Three," said Jack, reaching for her with the curved stick. He pulled her across the lake, bringing her to solid ice. Meanwhile, he switched places with her. He looked up, relief at seeing his sister safe. He stood up about to approach her, when suddenly a loud crack echoes around him. Before he could react the ice breaks. The last thing that is heard is the young girl's yell.

"Jack!"

Time shifts and the moon shines bright in the night. The guardians watch as Jack is lifted from the ice, and he no longer has fair skin and dark brown hair. His hair is white and his skin is pale. His eyes are no longer brown but blue. The image shatters and the guardians are pulled back into the meadow.

"He did die," said Bunny.

"Yes," said Manny. "He died saving his sister. So that night I brought him back. Unfortunately, doing so took up all my power. I could not talk to him, explain who and what he was. I only had enough power to tell him his name. Dying had all erased his memories."

"Then why not tell us!" yelled Bunny. "Tell us what happened. Ask us to look out for him. We could have helped him understand! Instead he went on for 300 years alone. And we stood by and did nothing! We didn't know you had plans for him to be a Guardian!"

North placed his hand on Bunny's shoulder, trying to calm him, "Bunny is right Manny. You should have told us, something, anything. The boy did not have to go through anything alone."

"I did not have power to communicate to you after that. I barely can now. I had hoped he would find his purpose. Realize what he was meant to do. In a way he did, but at the same time he did not. I watched him look up at me and ask over and over why he was here. And it pained me that I could answer back. I had then hoped he would find his way to you all. But I was wrong. You all have your responsibilities. You wouldn't have had time to find him without knowing he even existed. However, I knew one day you would need him. Everything that he has been through is because of me. I will probably never be able to forgive myself. But I cannot change the past, all I can do now is to help guide you to get him back. And watch you take care of him. He has made you all a family again. For the longest time I have watched you all drift apart. But Jack Frost has brought you all together again. The least I can do is help you find him."

Manny's image flickered.

"What's happening?" asked Tooth.

"I am running out of power. I once again will not be able to contact you like this. For how long I am not sure," said Manny.

"Aster," Manny continued, "The boy has brought back your sense of family. I know your pain of losing your people and to see Jack like this has only hurt you more. But I know you can find and protect him once again. Pitch will not win. Jack is strong. You all know this, you have all seen it. Believe in him and yourselves. You are the Guardians. You will prevail."

The image flickered once again.

"Good luck," said Manny, giving the Guardians a small smile. A bright light shone, blinding the Guardians once again.

When the light disappeared, they were back in North's workshop. They all looked at one another. An agreement passing between them. They would find Jack and they would take care of him. He was family now and family protects one another.

"Let's go save Jack," said Bunny.