A/N- I have way too many cool ideas. They usually come during school, and I end out scribbling them down, only half listening to the teacher. Is that bad? Probably. But, I do get good grades. So, I think I'm okay.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this one. It kinda randomly popped into my head one day.

I opened my eyes, and saw only darkness. Most people would have been scared by it. A while ago, I would have, too. Not anymore. The darkness would never scare me again.

How can you fear what you control?

The shadow looked around, and saw that it was in a brightly lit field. It was night out, so the light came from the full moon shining above it. The creature scowled at the moon. Light. What a pathetic thing. Mistress would get rid of all the light, and the shadow-creature would help. Mistress would be so happy. A cold wind blew past, but it didn't shiver. It liked the cold. The cold complimented the darkness. The creature walked leisurely into the town, before using the shadows to appear in a small child's room. She was sleeping on her bed, golden fairies made of sand dancing in circles over her head. It reached out and stroked one, smiling when the fairy turned black and demonic. The darkness spread to the other fairies, changing them in the same way, turning the little girl's dream into a nightmare. She cried softly, and the creature's grin widened.

It's job done, the creature walked out of her room, and into the room of the little boy the next room over. He was about nine or ten, but that didn't matter. What mattered was his friends. The creature needed to send them a message, and it knew that he could get it to them. The creature warped his dream, and leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Go, child. Be messenger. Tell them. Tell friends that darkness is returning. Mistress Mara is coming, and nothing will stop Mistress."

It straightened up, and walked out of the room, smiling softly to itself. The creature lingered at the door, looking at the boy out of the corner of it's eye. Then, it left Jamie's house, and returned to spreading the fear and darkness.

(Third Person POV)

Jamie woke up in a cold sweat, his heart racing. He looked around the room, but didn't see anyone. His heartbeat slowed. He just had a nightmare, a really bad one, too. Nothing like that had happened to anyone in this town ever since-

Ever since Pitch Black was defeated.

Jamie gasped in horror, and jumped up, running to the window. He didn't really know what he was doing- he didn't have a way to contact Jack Frost and the Guardians, after all. But, as he watched thick snowflakes falling, he smiled in relief. Jack would be there tomorrow, and Jamie could warn him.

I paced around the throne room of my dark fortress, hidden deep in the ground. It was expansive, and made entirely of obsidian, darker than night. The only light was from flickering torches, that cast long shadows across the room. I glared at the servant who was cowering in the middle of the room. I had created minions out of the shadows to assist me in spreading the darkness and fear. Little did I know how pathetic they would be. But, they did get the job done. "Explain to me again, exactly, how this happened?"

My voice was steely calm, which frightened the shadow-creature more than if I had shouted. It shook violently, and mumbled something unintelligible. I walked over, and grabbed it by the collar, forcing it to look me in the eye. I smiled sweetly, but my eyes held nothing but pure malice. "I'm sorry, I could hear you. Could you run that by me again?"

The creature cowered, and looked away. When it spoke this time, it's voice shook fiercely. "One of the shadows, Mistress. One of the weaker ones to be exact. It told the little boy, Jamie, the Guardians' friend, about you."

The creature cringed away when I growled and balled my fists in anger. I took a deep breath, and ground my teeth. This was very bad for my plan. I glared at the messenger. "Send them to me. Once you have done that, you are dismissed."

The creature nodded fearfully, and ran out of the room. A few minutes later, a new creature walked in, looking proud of itself. "Mistress Mara called for Creature?"

I took another deep breath, and smiled, walking over, and standing before the creature. "Yes, I did. You are the one who told James Bennett about me, correct?"

The creature nodded happily, obviously thinking it was here for a reward. "Yes, Mistress. The Guardians will cower in fear when they hear Mistress's name. Mistress will rule!"

My heart was warmed by this one's loyalty, I will admit. I cocked my head, and gave a sugar-coated smile. "Sweety, are you new?" The creature nodded, and I took a slow breath through my nose. "Okay, well, you do know the plan, right?" It nodded again. "So, when was my being alive supposed to be known?"

"When it is too late to stop Mistress," the creature responded eagerly. Wow, this thing was pathetic.

"So, why would you tell them now?"

"Because Mistress can never be stopped!" It answered stoically. "Mistress will rule the world in darkness!"

I smiled, and shook my head. "Listen, you made things very, very hard for me, now. We can only hope that I can smooth this over. But for now, let's give you the prize you deserve, shall we? Isn't that what you came for?"

"Creature came because Mistress called," the creature said carefully. "Creature needs no other prize, than serving Mistress."

I smiled sweetly. "Oh, but I must reward you for your service."

I walked away, pacing the room again. I taped my finger against my lips, feigning deep thought. "Hmm, what could we give you?" I snapped my fingers, and turned to face the creature, an evil grin on my face. "I know! What do you do to a pathetic, useless little creature that ruins your plans?" The creature opened its mouth to respond but I cut it off, glaring now. "You replace them."

The creature's eyes widened in fear, and it started to protest. I ignored it's pleads, and waved my hand. The creature dissipated with a scream of pain, and I sighed. Waving my hand again, a new creature appeared. It bowed deeply to me, before greeting me in it's gravely voice. "How might Creature serve the wonderful Mistress Mara?"

I sighed, and rubbed my temples. "Report to the initiates' wing. I have business to attend to."

The creature scuttled off, and I strode purposefully into the shadows.

I walked into Jamie's room, to see the boy watching out the window fearfully. I looked down at my disguise, and bit my lip. I hoped that I would be able to convince him. I took a deep breath, and plastered on a fake smile. "Hello, Jamie."

Jamie whipped around to face me. He eyed me warily, studying my pink dress, braided hair, and face covered in makeup. "Who are you?"

"I'm Valentine," I lied. "I'm a friend of the Guardians."

It wasn't entirely false. There was a spirit named Valentine (I really hated her), and she was a friend of the Guardians. I just wasn't her.

Jamie took a cautious step towards me. "You know Jack?"

I nodded. "Oh, yeah. Now, listen to me. Something happened to you earlier, right?"

Jamie nodded cautiously. "Yeah. I had a nightmare."

I sighed internally. I really should have punished that shadow more. I let my smile fall to one of concern. "Oh no! What was it about?"

"Well, it was all black. Then, a big, black...thing came out, and started talking to me in a really raspy voice."

"What did he say?" I asked.

"He said something about the darkness returning." Jamie replied.

I tilted my head curiously. "As in, Pitch?"

Jamie shook his head. "No. He said something about a Mistress. Mistress… Mara, I think he said?"

I nodded slowly. This was bad. Bad, but fixable. I bit my lip. "This is news. I'll tell you what; how about you let me take this to Jack and the Guardians, and you just don't worry about this anymore, okay?" I held out a small vial containing a clear liquid. "Here. Drink this."

Jamie took the vial carefully, and sniffed it suspiciously. "What is it?"

"It's a special liquid. It'll just calm you down, and help you sleep peacefully." It would also make him forget the last six hours, but I didn't mention that to him. He looked between the vial and me. I smiled at him encouragingly, and he took a small sip. Finding that it was almost just like water, he downed the whole bottle. I smiled genuinely as his eyes rolled back into his head, and he slumped over. I picked him up, and placed him in his bed.

Walking out of his room, I looked over my shoulder, and grinned. Plan back on track. Perfect.

A/N- Mara's awesome. Don't deny it. You will all be rooting for her. I will turn you all evil. *rubs hands together menacingly and cackles*

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Ahem. That didn't happen. You will all forget about that. You are getting sleeeeeeeepy...

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No? I' just being weird again? Well, I excel at that. Anyway, fave, follow, review, and PM me!