The nine year old boy hummed a tune, that only he seemed to hear, while wiggling his fingers in the air. He was looking down on a child and giving the boy, what Story had called, a daydream. It was something that he learned from watching Sandy after a long time. Story was on the second floor of a three story school, overlooking the bus stop. He had seen how bored the child was and had talked to the kid before running up to the second floor window and working his magic.

Story only could cause a daydream after he 'planted the seed' enabling him to use his powers to cause one. It sort of helped Sandy out, but helped him out the most. If Sandy actually found out that Story was messing with his Dreams again, something Story was afraid of, who knows what would happen. And he didn't want to meet Sandy when messing with the dreams would cause one to see a side of the small man, that really was quite large. And wicked.

Story continued to do it, up until the boy saw his Mother pull up in her station wagon. With that, Story found himself kicked out, and the dream was ended. He grinned and sighed, watching the boy get into the vehicle and leave.

That was just the problem with borrowing from others, Story thought as he brushed his light brown bangs out of his face. It never lasted, as it wasn't his powers.

In the last few times, Story had to use a few new tactics as the kids now days stopped listening to stories much sooner than before. It was the damned television tubes, that were causing the problems for him. But at this time, Story was thrilled with his results. That was just one more kid, that Sandy would have no problems with. And on top of that, Story had a bit of strength, that would be used to achieve a story that would beat tonight's televisions.

The sun was setting, Story noticed. He quickly got out if the school, apologizing to the Janitor, and headed to the park. He decided to head to the nearby park and relax until nightfall. The boy finally reached the park and sat on a bench. He planned out the story that he was going to tell the kids, while he watched people walk past him. He smiled as he saw a couple throw a coin into the fountian and make a wish.

About an hour later, Story looked up unto the sky. He realized that tonight was a new moon, as he didn't see the Man in the Moon. Story was a little bit disappointed that he'd not get to see Manny tonight, but that would pass. Instead the boy waited until it was fully dark, before he started to head home. Once there, he planned on giving the other foster kids the best story that they've ever heard.

Suddenly Story felt a change in the air. Out of reflex, he created a mist dagger in his hoodie pocket, and quickly scanned his surroundings. He noticed that the shadows seemed to be darker, and he saw eyes within the inky darkness, but it was only a quick glance and it was gone. Story blinked and acted like he didn't see anything, but his fear spiked as he realized that it was his worst nightmare.

"Oh, good," Story heard. "I thought that you would have been harder to find, Story."

Story cursed his luck and started to hurry out of the park. He tried to control his fear and squash it as he kept his hands in the pocket.

"That's not going to work," Story heard the dark voice say, the comment ending in a chuckle.

Story tired of the game, used a bit of his energy to cause the area to light up and he saw the Boogeyman.

"What do you want?" Story demanded, glancing at the man.

"Only to visit a friend," Pitch told him, with a sneer.

"You're not a friend," Story pointed out, and facing the Nightmare King. "And apparently I'm doing an excellent job, getting under your skin and all."

Pitch saw the boy smile and he frowned in anger.

"You treacherous dog," Pitch hissed. "After all that I have given you. Power, people who see you, and you repay me with siding with the Guardians?"

"Actually I'm working for Tsar Lunar," Story informed him, with a grin and a finger. "So you might need to get your facts straight."

This seemed to get the desired results, as Pitch's eyes flashed in anger, and suddenly Story had to defend himself at every turn. Dark twisted shadowy forms shot out from the Boogeyman. Story's eyes widened in fear as he instantaneously knew what they were.

Fearlings. Twisted souls of children who fell to Pitch's evils. Each Fearling had unusually large white eyes, spindly fingers and no legs. They unnerved the boy, but would scare anyone who had never seen a Fearling before.

The Fearlings started to attack in full force, screeching as they rushed towards him. The boy slashed at a few creatures and stomped on the head of another, before he realized that he was outnumbered. Story dodged a large scythe, rolling on the ground, and quickly got back up on his feet. Story decided right then, that his game was over and he started to run away as fast as his legs would move. He knew that the scythe was the chosen weapon of the Boogeyman, and he had narrowly missed losing his head.

Fleeing as quickly as possible, Story heard Pitch's evil laugh and he couldn't help but roll his eyes, as he dodged another attack. The boy desperately needed some help in getting away, and he tried looking for someone.

"You can't run from me, Story," Pitch's voice said, following the boy. "I can actually taste your fear! You're scared that you won't make it to the Guardians in time."

Story continued to run, the fearlings forcefully driving the boy further into the woods. Pitch laughed again as Story had to stop to catch his breath. Story closed his eyes, as he had his hands on his knees, trying to focus his thoughts and to slam his fear down.

"Oh, Story," Pitch said emerging from the boy's shadow. "It's much too late for that."

Story whirled around to see the dark scythe come down on him.

The next day, a boy's body had been found. Apparently the police ruled the death as an accident after all evidence pointed to the boy being reckless and running off a cliff. Sadly the only people who were truly affected were a few friends that knew the boy as Jonathan, and a mischievous spirit named Jack Frost.