Possession of Jack Frost (Chapter 9): I Don't Want to Return

-Inspiration comes from this picture: art/join-me-jack-352135568 by loonytwin (I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION)

-Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Rise of the Guardians/Guardians of Childhood characters nor will I ever.

~Guardians POV~

The entire ride back to the pole was silent. Every Guardian except for North who was driving the sleigh was crowded around Jack. This is the first time in weeks that any of the Guardians have gotten alone time with him let alone near him, even if he was sleeping. Looking at Jack now, they were all heartbroken. They were the ones who allowed Pitch to take him. They were the ones who could not stop Pitch from changing him. However, worst of all, they were the ones who left him alone enough for so long.

That is the one thing the Guardians will always regret, they failed not only one of their own but a child. A child in need.

North was the first one to break the silence with a silent call, "Santoff Claussen." All the Guardians heard a shatter and the sound of a vortex opening but no one could look away from Jack. All fearing that if they did he would disappear.

The Guardians touched down on the runway that led into the workshop, North walked over to the other four and picked up Jack in his arms bridal style, "Come. We get him to infirmary." North led the others to the infirmary as the yetis were beginning to prepare it and set Jack down on the empty bed. The minute North pulled the sheet up to Jack; he sighed and snuggled into the sheets.

The Guardians all smiled until Jack called out in his sleep, "Pitchhh…"

All the Guardians stood frozen for what seemed like forever until they were all shaking in an uncontrollable rage and sadness.

"That dirty ratbag is going to pay for what he has done!" Bunny shouted. Once he saw Jack stir he quieted down, "He won't get away with this."

"Pitch will get what is coming to him but for now we much focus on Jack." North was just as angry as Bunny but Jack was more important right now. They needed to make sure he was safe and back to normal. "Once Jack back to normal, we deal with Pitch."

The Guardians left Jack in the room to rest with a few of the yetis standing guard to prevent anyone from coming in –or out- of the room, while they went to speak with Man in Moon once more. They knew that the source of the 'infection' was at the staff but they must follow each step carefully to avoid dangers to Jack's life.

Once they reached the globe room, Man in Moon instantly called out to them, appearing to them the same way he did not too long ago. "Manny," North greeted. "We have succeeded in getting Jack back. Boy is asleep. How do we change boy to be normal?"

Manny looked up at all the Guardians staying silent for a few moments. He knew that what he was about to tell them would be hard for them to hear. After all, they were going to have to hurt Jack. "Guardians, good job in getting Jack back, however use precaution; Pitch will not stand by and wait. I have no doubt that he will come for Jack once again." North nodded and left in order to summon more of his yetis to guard every entrance to the workshop that they could find and to make sure the alarms were activated. After several minutes, Manny began again upon Norths return, "In regards to how to help Jack…I'm afraid you are not going to like it. You must break Jack's staff."

All the Guardians gasped while Sandy began frantically signing, a picture of a snowflake and then a boy holding his chest.

Bunny spoke up, "Won't that hurt frostbite?"

"Yes, he will be put through excruciating pain which is why you must be with him when it occurs. You must show that you care for him and that you will always be there for him. Once the staff is broken," He looked over at Sandy, "You must mend it back together with your dreamsand, which is the only thing that can counteract the nightmare sand. Jack will return to normal shortly after; all of his memories will be reset." However, Manny looked at all the Guardians with a look in his eyes that the Guardians were afraid to see on their leader...despair, defeat, and hopelessness. "Be warned Guardians. Pitch and Jack have developed a relationship of sorts and he may not wish to return."

Tooth perked her head up at this information as Sandy signed multiple question marks above his head.

She spoke up, "What do you mean…relationship?"

"That is not for me to say, Toothiana. When Jack is healed, you must ask him yourself."

Manny faded away as the Guardians returned to Jack's room. He was still sleeping as they gathered around his bed. Bunny was standing up at the foot of the bed, North was at the head leaning against the wall, Tooth pulled up a chair and sat beside Jack running her hands through his hair; Sandy hovering above her.

Just as they were about to wake Jack up, his eyes fluttered open.

~Jack's POV~

Darkness. That's the first thing I remember. It was dark, it was cold, and I was scared.

But then...then I saw a man.

It was if he was apart of the darkness himself but after realizing I was not alone, I was not scared anymore.

Jack's eyes began to flutter open as he held a face of confusion.

Why was everything so bright? There wasn't a room like this in the lair-?

Jack inwardly gasped but left his eyes open. The Guardians! They kidnapped him. The Guardians of Childhood kidnapped a child. He could not help but laugh at the irony. His laugh came out as a soft whimper to the others.

"Jack!" He heard someone yell. "Wake up my boy."

Jack groaned as he sat up slowly in the bed. He opened his eyes and looked all around him; the Guardians surrounded him.

Jack growled at the Guardians, "Stay away from me."

The Guardians looked at each other in shock before taken several steps back.

Jack didn't understand, they had plenty of time to try to finish him off, so why didn't they? Were they going to use him to get to Pitch? He would NEVER let that happen. He would soon die than give up information.

Jack placed his hand on the mattress to grab his staff. He began panicking once he realized that it was nowhere to be seen. He looked up at them after that and saw what he was looking for. His staff. In the hands of the Sandman.

He barked at them, "Give. Me. My. Staff. Now!" He jumped out of bed and charged at the sandman.

Before he could reach him. Two pair of arms grabbed his arms as the other grabbed his legs. He struggled against them but they were too strong. He soon gave up and slouched, glaring intensely at the four of them.

"Please, Jack." He heard a whisper. Jack looked up seeing the Tooth Fairy try to come near him. "We are not going to hurt you. We just want to help."

He squirmed a bit more before giving up yet again. "I don't need your help. I am perfectly fine how I am. Now let. Go!"

"I'm afraid we can't do that snowflake." Jack growled at the nickname making Bunny sigh. "We know how to fix you."

Jack was getting tired of playing this game with the Guardians, "I don't need to be fixed. Why do you guys keep getting in my way?"

"Sweet Tooth, you're not yourself. We will fix this, we promise." Tooth looked like she was ready to cry, what they were about to do would break her heart.

"Please Jack, forgive us for this." Bunny whispered, "Sandy...do it."

Jack looked over at Sandy. What were they planning? He did not trust the man -or any of them- with his staff. "What are you-?"

The sound of a loud snap filled the room, as everything grew silent. Jack froze were he stood for a milli meter of a second before he released a blood curdling scream. He arched his back as he began clawing at North's arms.

It was the most pain he has ever felt before. He has had the staff broken before, but nothing the way it felt now. He did not have time to process what was happening until he opened his eyes as a bright light filled the room.

Jack used all the strength he could to look over at the man who broke his staff. He gasped; Sandy had the two pieces held together as he began to mend it with his dreamsand.

Jack instantly felt a warmth rise in him as he silently screamed. He was in so much pain, feeling like it has been going on forever.

Jack slumped in North's arms passing out but not before he heard both North and Bunny chanting, "I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry."

All he saw after that was darkness.

~Pitch's POV~

Pitch was furious to say the least. Only a little over three hours have passed since the Guardians kidnapped Jack.

He wanted so desperately to go straight to the North Pole to retrieve him but he was not strong enough. He needed to gather up his remaining Nightmares as well as generate enough fear.

He knew he would not be able to defeat them but if he could sidetrack them enough with his Nightmares then he could take Jack and leave.

That is what led Pitch to where he is now. The town of Burgess. He knew that this was Jack's favorite town; he had promised that he would leave this town to as little nightmares as possible but he was desperate. Burgess was the closest town to the lair and he needed some fear.

He appeared in a little girl's house, she was snuggled up with a tiny unicorn, her entire room flashing with pink. Pitch instantly recognized the girl. She was one of the believers that defeated her on Easter ten years ago.

He grinned, how perfect.

He reached down and touched the golden sand that was floating above her head. She was dreaming of riding a unicorn in a field of flowers.

The scene almost made Pitch gag.

He watched as slowly the dream turned into a nightmare and from the unicorn sprung one of his glorious creations.

He had all of the Nightmares out gaining enough fear to battle the Guardians. With this one, he had what he needed. He looked at the newly formed mare before declaring, "Go. Tell the others that the time has come!"

Pitch teleported out of the girl's room and into the middle of the town. He looked up at the moon and scowled, "My nightmares are ready, I hope your Guardians are because I will stop at nothing to get Jack back."

He hopped on one of the Nightmares and leaped to his destination. The Workshop.

~General POV~

Jack was once again laying on the bed in the infirmary slowing panting up and down. The Guardians assumed the same positions as earlier, none of them willing to leave Jack's side.

Tooth was still sobbing from the events that took place no more than a few minutes ago. She had promised that she would never let Jack get hurt and now look; she was one of the ones to do it.

Tooth always looked at Jack as the son that she could never have, that right was taken from here many many centuries ago. Seeing him lying there, going through what he had too. It broke her heart.

Bunny was watching Tooth battle within herself as he battled his own inner demons. He could not protect Jack, his brother, his family. He told himself that he would always protect Jack, that he would never let him be alone again and he had failed. For the Guardians of Hope, he sure did not act like one.

North was showing his anger on the outside unlike the others. While he leaned against the wall, hands curled, staring down at Jack, he was throwing curses and insults of every kind in Pitch's direction. North looked at Jack as a son as well. His ranting slowly dies down as he sighs and stares at the floor.

Sandy was the only one that had a smile on his face, just happy that they were able to save the boy. He knew that it was a necessary evil they had to commit in order to bring their family member home. Nevertheless, he was also anxious. He hoped that Jack would be the same as he was before.

North sighed again and started walking towards the door, "I will tell yetis to bring hot coco."

The others did nothing but nod as the yeti, Phil, went to retrieve their drinks. North walked over and resumed his place.

The Guardians heads whipped up in anticipation as they heard Jack groan. He opened his eyes only to squint at the light before trying again.

Because Bunny was at the foot of the bed he noticed him first, "B-Bunny?" Jack voice was hoarse from screaming.

"Hey frostbite, how you feeling?" Bunny was cautious as he headed closer to Jack.

Jack gave a tiny smirk and answered back, "Awe you do care."

Right at that moment, all of the tension left the room. Tooth squealed, Sandy clapped, North hollered, and Bunny continued to smirk.

Jack was confused at their behavior but answered anyway, "I feel like I got hit by a yeti. What happened? "

Bunny dropped his ears are they lay completely flat against his shoulders. "We're really sorry Frostbite. We had to break your staff." Jack looked shocked but also hurt. Did they lose his trust in them? Bunny did not dwell on that thought as he continued, "It was the only way to save you from Pitch."

"From Pitch? What do you mean?"

Tooth fluttered up to him this time. Softly rubbing her thumb over his hand. "Jack, Pitch corrupted you with nightmare sand. Made you believe he was your friend and we were the enemy."

Jack gasped after Tooth continued explaining. Nightmare sand? Did it really-? He gasped yet again as he remembered everything from that day on the lake to the Guardians bringing him back here. However, why? Why did he feel as if he did not want to come back?

Jack recalled the events from the last few weeks: his kidnapping, the change, and...Pitch. That is when Jack realized it, he loved Pitch. No, not loved. Loves. Even now, he still loves Pitch and even though the Guardians saved him, he still felt a hint of hatred towards them for all those years alone.

Jack slowly got up and looked for his staff. It was resting right by his head. The minute he grabbed it, he felt the familiar piece of food be filled with his frost. Happy to be with the staff again, he started limping to the door. He was not sure where his staff was but he knew that he had to leave. He wanted to be with Pitch.

He could not believe what he was saying. All he ever wanted was a family to love and care for him. Now that he got it, he is giving it all away for the one man he was chosen to defeat. He would always love the Guardians and the time they spent but he could no longer stay with them. He is not the same Jack Frost that they knew.

North reaching forward and laid a hand down on Jack's shoulder making sure he sat back down on the bed, "Jack. Where are you going?"

"I'm going to find Pitch." He monotonously replied.

"Mate, we hate him right now just as much as you do but-"

"NO!" Bunny was caught off guard by Jack's scream. The others going silent as well. "I do not hate Pitch." He turned around as the Guardians stares fixated on him. "I...I love him."

Tooth gasped as she began speaking spastically, "Jack. Jack why? Why do you love him? Is this what Manny meant? Is this what he meant by you having a relationship with Pitch?"

Jack was a bit surprised, "How...how does Manny know?"

"What does it matter how he knows? Frostbite, how could you! How could you betray us for that ratbag?" Bunny was furious, he really did betray them?

"He's not a bad guy! You guys don't know him like I do!" Jack defended him, he did not like the way they talked about Pitch. Perhaps he could not have both; he would have to choose between the Guardians and Pitch.

What scared him the most was that he was not so sure he wanted the Guardians.

"Don't know him? Jack, we have been around way longer than you have. We've fought him many times before you came around." Bunny continued.

"Oh yeah? Did you you ever, even once, bother to talk to him? Or did you ignore him too!"

The Guardians did not answer then. How could they? How could they even begin to accept what was going on. Pitch was their enemy; he had done so many bad things to not only them but children as well. The very brings that Jack had made an oath to protect.

Suddenly, Phil bust open the door and entered the room. He stared at Jack for one moment before looking over at North, "Yagr si gnidavni ghy ghortshoop." North's eyes went large and he sprang up, "Quickly, Pitch is invading the workshop!"

The Guardians all began to head towards the door but stopped as the heard Jack get out of bed. They looked over at him and was saddened to see a smile on his face.

Once Jack noticed that the Guardians were staring at him, he stopped smiling. "I'm going with you."

"Jack, no. He is here for you. We can keep you safe, plus you are still hurt for earlier." Bunny called out. He was still furious at Jack but he did not want to risk Pitch getting anywhere near Jack and changing him again.

"No please! You have to let me go to him. He won't attack if you let me leave with him!" Jack was frantic; he wanted to go back with Pitch. He made a home with him. He loved him and he believed that Pitch felt the same.

"We can't lose you again Sweet Tooth." Tooth was on the verge of crying, again. She could not believe that Jack wanted to go with Pitch. Did they truly lose him?

Jack look hardened before speaking out once again, "You didn't bother for 300 years. Why do you care now?"

The Guardians stiffened, this was it. This is what caused Jack to hate them while under Pitch's control and as much as they hate to admit it, he probably still hated them.

"Jack, mate. We are so sorry. We messed up." Bunny stated.

"We should never have left you alone for all that time. We had no idea." Tooth finished, North just stared at Jack.

Sandy tried to relay some symbols to Jack but he was unable to understand. Bunny translated for him, "Sandy is right. Let us make it up to you. We promise we will, as well as finish our quarrel but we must deal with Pitch first."

Before Jack could retaliate, the Guardians went through the door and locked it behind them. Making sure Jack could not leave.

Jack looked at where the Guardians left and whispered to himself, "But I don't want to return..."

Author's Note:

What? Two chapters in a month? Yes I did (:

I had a lot of fun writing this chapter and it is a lot longer this time too! So close to being finished, next chapter will probably be the last. Unless I do an epilogue.

Please feel free to Review, Follow, or Favorite!

Until next time!