Frozen Solitude

I Will Be Ready

(Jack's POV)

I wake with a jolt! My heart pounded. Last thing I remember is Chad breaking my staff...

I look around. I realize I'm lying on a king-sized, four-poster, canopy bed. The decor is an elegant rich black color. This must be Dad's place. But what IS this place exactly?

I look around again. Maybe my staff is here. No such luck, but I don't feel pain anymore...

"WAH!" I shout, noticing two shadowy forms staring at me. I grip the ebony satin sheets. The shadows blink and tip their heads. I take a deep breath.

"Uh...heeellloooo." I wave awkwardly. 

The shadows imitate my wave.

"Do you happen to know where my dad is?"

They blink at me. 

"My dad's Pitch Black, y'know, the Boogeyman. Also called the Nightmare King..."

The shadows start nodding. They start forward and grasp my arms!

"Hey!" I protest. They pull me into a shadow and when the darkness cleared, we were in a completely different room.

A dim, large place. With many staircases and hanging cages like the ones back home on the Isle. Was this Daddy's home before the Isle?

"Jack." Daddy's voice suddenly sounded.

I turned around to see Daddy stretching his arms out for a hug.

"DADDY!" I tackle him in a extra-special bear hug. I don't care if I AM sixteen, I cling to Daddy tighter than a baby baboon clings to its mommy.

I don't know what exactly happened before, but right now me and Daddy are together again.

"Oh Jack, I've missed you so much..."

"Me too. How DID you get here?"

"Where there's a will there's a way, plus it didn't hurt that Auradon was so confident that their magic barrier was fool-proof!"

Seems Daddy still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve.

"What is this place, Daddy?"

"This, My Dear Son, is Nightmare Castle. The home me and your mother lived in untill Auradon was formed."

Wow....this was where I was supposed to be born....

"Oh, and never fear, Child, your staff is whole again." 

Daddy hands me my staff, no longer broken. I take it and hold it closely. 

"Thank you, Daddy!" I hug him again. 

I twirl my staff. It seemed different in some way. Daddy must've noticed my confusion. "I've upgraded your staff. You will find it much more helpful. You will be able to channel your powers ten times better."

I smile and look back at my staff. How had it been improved?

"Jack, you should be aware that Auradon now truly views you as a villain. Me and Hades, of course, have already made our plans of action; but you must be on guard. Take care not to get captured. I will now be training you in channeling your powers and using your staff to comtrol it."

"Why's this all happening, Daddy?"

"Hades and I have planted the seeds of discord within Auradon, but still we must prepare for war."

Daddy led me out to a ledge. We looked out at the castles in the distance. I lean closer to Daddy. He wraps an arm about my shoulder.

"Don't be afraid of Auradon, Jackson, it's they who should be afraid of you."

As Daddy left, I lingered, staring out at Auradon's civilization. I know things are changing. And I will be ready. You may be powerful Auradon, but so am I.

❄❄❄❄❄❄

Author's Note: I hope you liked this chapter! Jack is awake and well! Plus he's got his staff back. Seems Hades and Pitch got more things planned for Auradon. And how will Jack enjoy being trained by Pitch? Please comment, vote, and share this chapter. Thank you!!!! 🤗🤗🤗