Merida~

We all waited patiently around the table for North to speak to us. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we felt like naughty children getting caught in the act. Rapunzel was the nervous, goody-two-shoes who was hyperventilating because she's never gotten in trouble before. Hiccup was picking at whatever he can find in order to prepare himself for the worst. Jack was the cocky one who pretended like there wasn't a problem, looking bored as he casually leaned against his staff. As for me, I was the child that put on a brave face, ready to challenge any accusations.

"I don't see the wrong in what we had done," I said. So far, North was just glaring us down and I wasn't exactly the patient type.

North's pointed look turned to me. I held my ground.

"Of course you don't. By all means, kill the shades, but this one had a message from Pitch."

Silence. I master at the art of knowing when a response is needed.

"What's the message?" The old Hiccup was back, ready to be the analyzer. I turned back to North. Now that we knew the fault was not all ours, we each had our full attention on North.

Hiccup-

To be honest, it took everything in me to not jump across the table to stop Merida from making things worse. But since North wasn't yelling, I managed to calm down and ask the question everyone was thinking.

North looked at me now. Then he sighed and slumped into his seat.

"It is what I had feared."

"Which is?" Rapunzel gently pushed.

I noticed several thoughts run through North's eyes before he slowly opened his mouth.

"Pitch has new... recruits. And strong ones."

"Do you know them?" Jack asked.

All expectant eyes were on North.

"No. But he has challenged you." Now everyone was scared. When he saw our faces, he laughed. "Don't worry. Pitch still has no idea about the Big Four. He has..."

"What is it, North?" Merida asked. She sounded pretty concerned. I sent a comforting look her way. She gave me a small smile as her thanks.

"He challenged Jack."

All heads turned to Jack.

Rapunzel~

I was suddenly scared for Jack. However, he acted calm. Confused, but calm. His strength relaxed me.

"In fact, I'm glad you were able to catch the shade and kill it. If it got away, it would've told Pitch about the rest of you." North said to ease some tension.

"But North," I said and hesitated for a moment. "Why has he only challenged Jack? He might not know us, but he knows the rest of the Guardians. What's so important about challenging Jack?"

He hesitated. He looked at Jack real quick.

"Whatever it is he said, I won't hide it from the rest of the Four," Jack said to North.

I had a feeling it was bad. Jack rushed, he's getting impatient. I was too, but if it had to do with Jack's past, maybe it should be discussed privately first, before revealing it to the group.

Jack-

It sounded bad. However, I already told them that I was dead, how could this be any worse?

So North continued. "He said he was glad that he gave you the opportunity to join him."

The rest of the Four gasped. Okay maybe there was that. I didn't look at any of them. I knew their thoughts of me wouldn't be hard to tell.

"Pitch thanked you for helping him discover that ice and darkness would make him stronger."

I didn't like the turn this was taking. I kept my face as straight as possible.

"He was disappointed in you turning him down." I heard a sigh of relief from everyone. "But that he's ready to make you regret it."

"E-excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?" I asked. I really didn't like the way this was going.

North looked at me. It was the first time I had seen him with less than half the hope he usually carries. That is not a good sign.

"Pitch claims to have a recruit... with winter powers. To fight you."

That was not what I had expected.

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A/N:

Yay! I wrote more! I don't know if other authors feel the same way, but I just want to pat myself on the back every time I'm able to publish more.

Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry if they have been short chapters, but I'll try to make it up to you guys by publishing more.

Please VOTE, COMMENT, AND DO YOUR THING!

Thanks! :)