Rise of the Brave Tangled Dragons

Nightlight, Bright light

With a soft moan, Jack fluttered his eyes open. His vision was a little blurry as his head pounded in pain. His body felt so heavy that almost wanted him to go back to sleep. But his senses started to work as well as every muscle. He flutters his eyes more, trying to get some of his sight working. But as he did, all he can see is darkness.

He moves his hands to steady his raised arm to push himself from the ground. But as he lifts his head to get a better view, all he sees is darkness all around him.

"Wha-" he groans. Trying to work his dry throat. He coughed a bit he tries to think of what just happened. The last thing he remembers were his friends battling against the turned guardians and Pitch holding on to him like a rag doll. Then something pierced his heart, and then...nothing. He blacked out.

Jack looked around to try to figure out where he is, but all he can see is darkness. There wasn't a shred of light anywhere. Pitch black as far as his eye can see.

He moves his hand to grab his staff, but then turned to realize it wasn't here. Panic kicked in as his eyes search the ground, or what supposed to be the ground, for his staff. He even reaches out his hands and crawled to his knees to try to feel it.

But then his mind clicked, making him remember that Pitch broke it back at the pole. Who knows where it is now.

Jack sighs as he realizes that he is in a horrible position. Without the staff, he's powerless. As he pants out loud, he curled himself up and wallows in desperation. He needs to know what's going on around him? What he's doing here? Where are his friends?

"... Jack..."

Jack's ears perk to a distant voice. Like a caged animal he shivered at the voice. His eyes dart all around to locate the source. But there was nothing around him. He stands up with great haste, and turned around a couple of times, trying to get a real sense of what's around him.

"... Jack..." The voice echoed

Jack's head turned again to try to find where it was coming from. The voice sounded so familiar, harsh yet alluring. But Jack was becoming very tense. Thanks to the darkness around him, it made him go into sensory overload. He reacted to the tiniest sound like a frighten child. Jumping and breathing very hard.

"Come...Jack..." The voice said again, this time sounding a lot closer to Jack. "There's no need to be afraid."

"Afraid," Jack said as he struggles with his dry throat. He tries to make it sound strong and confident, but it wasn't. "I'm not afraid..."

"Hm, hm, hm. Of course you're not Frost," the voice said again.

Jack's eyes widen and then frowned upon hearing the voice. He finally recognizes it as the spirit that shot him.

"Pitch!" He cries out in anger. "Enough of this! Show yourself you coward!"

"Not a coward," Pitch replied while hidden from view. "Just really comfortable. You know the darkness is my home, and now it will be yours."

Jack stepped back to try to distance himself from the voice. But having no idea where it's coming from just made him feel scared.

"Where are we?" Jack yells out into the blue.

Pitch's chuckle made Jack tense up again, making him a little more aggravated.

"You don't know your own mind," Pitch taunts.

"My...my mind," Jack gasps as he touches his head. How can he be in his own mind? There just...no way that can be possible. He can move around and is aware of everything around him. This situation just looks and feels too real to be something that's just in his head. Maybe this is what a dream must be like?