"Hope is the last thing that dies.
Maybe because hope is one of those dratted things that is truly, honestly, genuinely immortal."

~ Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Chapter 1 – Sowing Seeds

"You can't get rid of me!" Pitch struggled to pick himself up on the slippery surface of the frozen lake. The four Guardians continued to stare down at him, now reunited once again.

His voice quivered at first, heart pounding as his head started spinning from his run. Once on his feet his tone strengthened, "Not forever. There will always be fear." He snarled eyes scanning round the lake, eyeing for an escape.

"So what!" The leader of the Guardians stepped forward in front of them all, his accent deepening in confidence. "As long as one child believes, we will be here to fight fear."

Pitch, in the corner of his eye saw them approaching, slowly, enclosing around the lake. He raised his eyebrows in sarcastic curiosity. "Really?" He almost laughed to himself challenging North, stepping forward a little as a smirk grew across his face. "Then what are they doing here?" now outstretching his hand unveiling them to the group of Immortals as they started to whinny in chorus. With a clatter of hoofs as they pounded the ground, prepared to charge. The black sand evaporating, oozing off their bodies into the air, leaving trails that contrasted with the fierce golden, plagued eyes.

The five Immortals each in turn looked at the black sand beings individually. Sure they were slightly bigger than before, and that- "Ha-ha!" North blurted cutting all trains of thought.

Jack, the youngest of the Immortals, turned quickly to his leader, questioning his stress-free attitude. Their eyes met briefly before North, now smiling, continued filling them with reassurance. "They can't be my Nightmare, I'm not afraid." He shrugged his shoulders turning back to the Nightmare King in front of them.

That 'oh so piercing' smile that would send chills down the spine of young children shrunk instantly, his eyes slowly widened as they darted around observing the Fearlings and then the Guardians in front of him. If not him then? Pitch continued to question whose fear it was. Too caught up in his thoughts he didn't notice that they were all staring at him.

The youngest looked again at the Leader, his chest now puffed out, arms folded, and his large thick eyebrows crossing in a scowl. With a light jump in his step Jack looked back to the once powerful King. "Looks like it's your fear they smell" A smile trickling across his face, he'd never thought the King of Terror could actually dread.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise 'That's not' "No!" he denied shaking his head slowly, as he took a step back he observed the Fearlings leaning in closer. His heart skipped a beat; he took another step and watched as they started whinnying again.

You have failed us

"W-what?!" That voice, it was in his head! Pitch looked over his shoulder, It was a clear reach. Turning back he considered the voice. He'd heard it from somewhere before but, why now- His thoughts were interrupted as the Fearlings took off and started galloping towards him.

"NO! Th-s- What!- No-!" He cried as he ran again as fast as he could, rejecting the thought of being afraid, though with every step it clung onto him tighter. Feeling so drained, the Fearlings gained on him, growing stronger. "How can this happen- I'm not afraid!" He yelled again still in denial, losing his footing and sliding to the icy floor. Before his chin could hit the ground he was bundled into the Fearlings, now merging into a swarm of sand and nothing, its shape continually morphing. They rose into the air before crashing to the ground.

Pushing himself onto his feet he looked behind him seeing the forgotten about bed covering the hole into nothing.

You have failed me

Pitch's eyes widened. The same voice again, this time (not only in his head) as it echoed from the very bottom of the pit. He hadn't heard that voice in so long- The grip around his ankle tightened as he was pulled again.

Pitch screamed, 'No I can't! Anywhere but! "Unhand me!" Pitch squirmed as more and more black whips entangled him. He dug his nails into the soil, clawing his way out of their grip as his legs were just starting to sink into the hole. Under the wooden, abandoned and broken bed it dragged him. "NO!" Pitch bawled as he lashed out onto the remains as the whips pulled harder, terror and denial in his voice.

His eyes stared up, into the large merciful glow of the moon. Gazing up at him, with even the little amount of pride he had left in him he considered begging. Pitch knew the Little Man in the Moon would be watching.

'O-old friend, n-not this-! P-please!' Pitch's eyes relaxed a little, almost calming as he beheld the Moon in its radiant site.

How DARE you fail me!

The same voice resounded much louder, and darker than before. Still keeping his eyes on the Moon his heart (what was left of one) sank as sound of wood cracking echoed throughout the forest. It all happened to fast. His eyes widened as the wood crumbled in his hand "No!" He squawked his voice echoing throughout the tunnel as he plunged deeper and deeper, further into the darkness and away from the light.

He was thrown from side to side down the tunnel, still fighting to break free. He grabbed onto roots which broke at his pull; crashing into the walls of the tunnel again, another stone scratched the side of his face. His body bruised and grazed he finally crashed into the first platform of his Lair.

He pushed himself slowly, hesitantly onto all fours trying to get some self-control. His breathing was heavy and harsh against his beaten body. Pitch remained silent as the Fearlings left him and started moving around the cave. A large black shadow of a stallion trailing around the walls.

Pitch winced as he tried to stand, probably a broken rib from the fall. He gently rested his left hand on the right side of his chest. Through slightly lighter breaths he shook his head lowering it, eyes fixed to the ground "I can explain…I…I ran out of-" Before he could finish his sentence the Fearlings wrapped around him again, and he was hauled off the ledge and dragged to the centre floor.

Sandman nodded at Norths comment to head home. He turned back round to face the children and launched his waves of thin sand into the sky like rockets, leading them to burst out into a beautiful array of fireworks.

"Whooa,"

"Awesome!" The children exclaimed at the amazing site as the spirits sands started to fall slowly down like snow.

Alex's mouth gaped open at the site, outstretching his hand he caught some of the sand and threw it back into the air above his head again, Cup-Cake span around in the sand laughing and smiling on the ice.

Nathan smiled at the sand through his glasses, but something else had caught his eyes beforehand. He quickly ran to the Easter Bunny's giant stone guards and behind to pick up an abandoned tooth.

"Miss Tooth-Fairy!" Nathan yelled panting as he ran towards the sleigh, which she had just got seated into. "MISS TOOTH-FAIRY!" He yelled again waving his arms to get her attention.

Tooth's wings fluttered a bit faster at the call of her name, he jumped and waved as she laid eyes on him and slowly hovered down beside him.

"My-er… My tooth! It just fell out!" He exclaimed holding his tongue at the back of his mouth to pretend there was a hole there.

Tooth's eyes widened "Oh my! How marvellous!" She darted around in excitement and held out her hands in a cupping form for him to put the tooth in.

Brushing his blond hair out of his face and behind his glasses he placed it gently in her hands, a little spooked at her outburst.

"Oh my! I have so much organizing to do when I get back! Here!" She said pulling out a coin from thin air. "You're lucky I had this on me!" she laughed softly as she handed the tooth to one of her fairies. "Keep up the good work!" She waved over her shoulder as she headed back into the sleigh.

"Cool!" Nathan exclaimed as he joined the other children again, tucking the dollar into his green thermal coat pocket.

Tooth smiled as he joined the others, noticing Jack return Jamie's hug. All the Guardians couldn't help but smile at this. Once he was ready Jack jumped onto the side of the sleigh.

"HIIIYAAH!" North cried slashing his whips as the Guardians took off to the sky. The children raced after the sleigh waving frantically. The other Guardians waved back, and even though they were too high to be seen properly Jack hopped onto the back of the sleigh waving and letting out some friendly snowflakes. Jack let the last one fall out of his palm before turning back to the others. "So erm…What happens now?" He asked, as he leaned back into the sleigh, his staff resting on his shoulder.

Sandy smiled a question mark appearing above his head.

Bunny turned to Jack, shrugging his shoulders slightly ,"Easter's passed so I'm free for now."

Tooth fluttered her wings standing up slowly, "I'll need to get back to the Tooth Palace, there's a lot of sorting that needs to go on-"

"Are you kidding?!" North exclaimed "We should be having Portia-ya!" North waved his arms in the air and reached into one of the deep pockets of his red coat. "HAHA!" He laughed as his eyes widened in success as he found what he was looking for "I! SAY! NORTH POLE! YEAHHHH-HHAAAA!" He yelled as he threw the Snow Globe in front of the sleigh and vanished from the site of the children.

Pitch coughed violently, the air forced out of his lungs as he landed hard on the ground. The Fearlings branched out of Pitch and clumped back together a distance away, forming a large dark Figure.

It was unrecognisable. The black sand acting as a thick smog, cloaking it's appearance. The heavy steps of metal rang out the cave with each step the Presencetook. Pitch knew well and true who it was. He remained low, on all fours and kept his eyes on the Figure's feet.

The Presence circled round the globe cursing in the dead language of ancients. Pitch's eyes glanced round the cave. The piles of teeth vials had gone; the fairies too. He figured the little humming vermin escaped when the Guardians got their powers back.

The Figure extended his left hand slowly, pointing to the main decorative of the Cave. The discouraged, rusted Globe in the centre of this level.

The lights

Ithissed in disgust, echoing throughout the cave, even as a cold whisper. Pitch looked back to the globe. As it slowly spun lights around the different continents started to glisten softly. Pitch cursed in the back of his head, each light glowing was another child that didn't believe in him.

His eyes gazed over to the Figure, whom was now sitting in the large stone and Gothic carved throne. Pitch, as the King of Nightmares often sat back watching the world pass time by spinning. The little lights would twinkle as he planned to rid the World of the Guardians.

Black vines grew out of the Presence as it sat back into the chair, resting his arms on the edges of the rest, his hands curling over the ends. Out of these out growing creepers the black sand seeped out forming the Stallion Fearlings around it.

Pitch dared not say anything, he kept his eyes to the floor. He could feel it's dark, soulless eyes on him. The feeling was nauseating. Pitch clenched his teeth as his knuckles clicked when he squeezed them white.

His mind raced over the battle, what had he done wrong?! He had them in his hands! Frost! He should have killed him when he had the chance. It was only because of that brat- no, those brats! The Children, yet to say they over powered him, that was just plain weak. Children couldn't be over-estimated! They were children for that reason!

The Fearlings whinnied catching Pitch's attention. He looked up to the Fearling now shaking it's head, his eyes averted to the Figureand quickly to the ground bowing his head.

"I – I did not expect you to be back."

The ends of the throne cracked in the palms of the Figure. Pitch sensed it's rage, and once shook his head finding the right words. "Had I known, I would have prepared… to a much greater level," Pitch lifted his head, using the same sorrowful eyes he had used on Jack, when longing for a family.

Your smooth talk does not affect my judgement.

The words were like a spear in his stomach. Pitch clenched his teeth again. He hated this. "I-"

Enough-

The Presence cut him off. Pitch kept his head low, rising to one kneel stance, as one would in front of their King. His arms tucked into his chest to hide the fact he was shaking.

Earth's humanity has had an effect on you.

The Presence rose out of his chair. Darkness remained in that location, as if a flame had scorched it. It slowly walked towards Pitch and started to circle him.

You've grown soft.

"I can fight them." Pitch spat between gritted teeth. His blood boiling.

Clearly.

The Figure was not impressed, It slowly walked round to face Pitch in front and looked down to him.

No matter.

It out stretched its hand and slowly brought it round to the front of Pitches face.

I will cleanse you…now…

The Presence whispered as his hand slowly encased Pitch's face. Pitch's eyes widened pulling away before clenching his eyes tightly shut. He wailed, in deep pain, the Figures hand burning against his ash skin. After a few moments the Figure pulled away and returned to it's throne whilst Pitch continued screaming.

After the Figure had released him, Pitch rolled to the floor gasping like a new born and he continued to cry out in pain. His eyes shot open, now the same as the Fearlings, pure golden (even the conjunctiva). He winced his eyes tightly shut again as his arms clutched onto his shoulders, his body shaking as he curled into a ball.

Restrain him

The Presence ordered watching the poor tormented Solider. A couple of the Fearlings left their Kings side, strutting towards the Broken body. One of the stallions stroked its face against Pitches causing him to wince further as it burned his sensitive skin again. As Pitch opened his mouth to cry out, the Stallion deformed and seeped into Pitches mouth and down his throat.

Pitch squirmed harder, lashing out as the Fearling entered his body, his eyes now wide open started to cry in agony. The tears where thick, black and pulsing, not the usual peaceful seep from Human compassion or even emotion.

As black and thick as ink, first gently then spilling out of his body. Every scar, every opening in his body; his nose, mouth, ears even the scratch along his face from the previous fall.

Pitch slowed, his body becoming a lot heavier as he sluggishly came to rest on the floor, eyes slipping shut. His body twitched randomly as he struggled in his own nightmares.

The Figure relaxed a little more seeing his Solider start to rest a little more.

I claimed this land first. It's time to put this world back in Order

End Chapter 1

Stay tuned for 11/12 for Chapter 2 - Picking up the Teeth

A.N: Tadah~ So what did you think?

Please Review so I can improve it :D

Shoutout to an amazing person, author, and friend! Janazza!

She's a great personality and has a fantastic and successful Fanfiction going on at the moment called Sickness! So go check that out link below!

s/8762672/1/Sickness

So yeah! Hope you liked it! Please leave a review! And see you Tuesday!

Cloaki

xx