Sin and Fear
Nightmares of the Devils'
I usually didn't dream of anything, well, except the night I died. Usually, in my dreams I relived it over and over, before floating on to a dark, still ocean that mirrored the clear night skies. I would always stand by a lone tree, and look up at the sky. Maybe this was the heaven I would've had, that is, if I hadn't lived a life of sin and murder. Then again, this could've been my hell, you never really can tell.
This time, I was looking down into the darkness under the water. I saw yellow eyes peer up at me, and Depression let me know that someone was messing with my dreams.
"Pitch Black. Seeing in my dreams isn't a nightmare, but it's close to it." I said politely, though the sentence itself was rude, and suddenly he vanished, only to step out of the shadows from the tree.
"No, I know what you're most afraid of. But that's not why I'm here." He said, walking around me to stand in front of me. I looked at him, and narrowed my eyes.
"Then, pray tell, why the fuck are you in my head? I would caution you otherwise, but it's a little late for that." I said, watching him carefully. He laughed, and stared back without hesitation. Darkness spread out from the hem of his grey robe along the water.
"You're word games, while amusing, are ineffectual here." Pitch said, and I laughed coldly. Inside I was feeling uneasy, but I concealed it. My bright eyes locked on to his yellow ones, and I smiled.
"I think not. But it's all a matter of technicality, and I'd rather know why you're here." I said, watching him closely.
"I'm just here, to pay a friend a visit." He said, walking closer and bringing the darkness with him. I scowled.
"Now, why don't I believe you? Oh, wait, I know. Because you're an evil bastard, and we're not friends." I said, smiling wide. He glared, and smiled horribly in return, his face oozing arrogance. My world became black, no stars or ocean anymore. Only Pitch, standing in front of me, golden eyes narrowed dangerously. My cold eyes narrowed in response, and I scowled darkly.
"They do say, takes one to know one, correct? I may be fear, but how many have I murdered compared to you, my dear? All I want-" The King said, and I turned away from him, searching the darkness. I laughed coldly, and walked away. A hand grabbed my shoulder, and hands dug painfully into my skin. My face quickly became expressionless.
"What did I tell you King? I make deals like this all the time, I know what kind of price your help comes at." I explained, my voice low and emotionless against the surrounding darkness; and I watched him from the corner of my eye. His yellow eyes smoldered angrily against his grey face, and the hand on my shoulder tightened.
I was getting tired of this charade, and I started to push back and quarantine the darkness in my mind. Suddenly, as I did, Pitch leaned closer to my ear, his spiky hair brushing mine.
"I've been playing fair so far, my dear. I know more than you think about you, Sin. I've kept things civil. I wonder how the guardians would react if they knew who you really were Sin? They condemn you, scorn you and who you are. They don't understand you, not at all. They don't even know what you want most." He whispered in my ear, sounding so convicting and contrite. My eyebrow's drew together and I scowled, baring my teeth. I spun around to get up in his handsome smiling face.
I smiled forcibly. My fists clenched by my sides as I fought away temptation of giving in. I acted like what he said hadn't phased me in the slightest.
I pulled with my mind, and blue flame exploded around me in the darkness behind me, causing shadow to play across our faces, my bright eyes staring out from the shadows on my face, while Pitch's face was illuminated eerily.
"When will you realize that you're place will always be with Darkness, Sin?" He asked, and before I could snarl and bite his head off, I was sitting up in bed, sweating and panting. I huffed, and snarled, turning my head. I almost slipped up, and that pissed me off. Pitch needed to stay the fuck out of my head. I slid out of the pretty red blankets, and dangled my legs over the edge of the bed.
I rubbed my temples, and closed my eyes. Suddenly, Jack burst in the room. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes, my face expressionless and waiting. His blue eyes held confusion and unresolved feelings, and for a moment, I wondered what Nikolas had told him. I stood up, grabbed my black walking stick, and flipped my hat on with the other hand.
"There's trouble with Tooth," He said, and I smiled, putting on my hat. I slipped on my heels, and they transformed into black, knee high converses, my dress pants tucked comfortably in them. I had a feeling heels wouldn't be appropriate in the Fairy's kingdom. I noticed Jack watching me curiously, as we walked out the room and to were the rest of the Guardians were.
"So, are you a Guardian too? I've never heard of you…" He started, shrugging. I smiled.
"I think the Man knows better than to make The Devil a Guardian of children's beliefs." I answered, and he smiled nervously and looked me over.
"Yeah. Um, what's your center?" Jack asked as we hurried up stairs, ducking under flying toys and between yeti's. I glanced over at him, my brow furrowed in confusion.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
"You know, well, I guess you don't know. North said that every spirit has a center, something they inspire in children," He began. I thought for a moment.
"I don't have one. I'm not exactly a being aimed to help and protect children. The Man has me more concerned with adults sin's." I explained quietly, determinedly looking forward as we walked. Soon we came to a bustling room with a sleigh in it. Jack's blue eyes widened, and he smiled wide.
"Okay, one ride, that's it." Frost said, shaking his finger, hoping in excitedly. I climbed in, and placed my cane on the seat.
"I think my holes' would be faster mate; and safer," Bunny argued, before North grabbed him laughing, and flung him in the sleigh in front of me.
"Fasten your seatbelts!" Nikolas yelled happily, as yeti's and elves scurried out of the way hurriedly. I sat calmly, while Bunny freaked out. The sleigh jerked forward, and I could smell the fear and panic coming off the Rat in waves. It brought a sadistic smile to my face.
"There are no seatbelts!"
North laughed. "It was just expression. Yah!" He yelled, and the sleighed lurched forward at a tremendous speed. We sped through ice caves, and I noted that Sandy was enjoying the ride, smiling along with Jack, while Rat Bastard looked like he was going to throw up.
We were out in the sky, and Jack started to fool around, jumping into the air to fly. His blue hoodie and white hair nearly blended in with the cold sky's and snow ridden mountains around us, and even I had to admit. It was beautiful, even though I had to duck around the direct sunlight, and crouch into the shadows of the sleigh. Thankfully it was early morning, and the shadows were long.
We soon entered a portal, then we were in Tooth's kingdom. I looked around, then I sprung up into the air and out of the sled as I saw dark sand flying by me in the air. Rage bubbled up in me, and my hat disappeared, my dark hair flew free and I felt my teeth elongate. My eyes burned with rage, and as I fell to the ground, the sound of fabric ripping reached my ears as huge black wings grew out of my back.
I turned in the air, and flew in front of the sleigh into Tooth's mountain kingdom. My walking stick grew longer, turning into it's true form.
A long, elegant, and black pitch fork.
As I flew, I summoned Sacrifice to fight off the Nightmares that I noticed were swallowing up miniature tooth fairy's. I bared my teeth and began slicing and stabbing the Nightmares with Sacrifice by my side. Her black hood stayed pulled up over her face, and she ripped through the dark dream horses savagely. She turned to look at me, shadow's covering half of her face.
"Don't slip all the way, my Lady," She reminded me, and I nodded, taking more control of my anger. I was a monster, that was my true form. The way I was now, was like 25% changed. It would be really bad if I lost control…
A particularly nasty looking Nightmare rushed me, and I tucked my wings flat and dived for it, dodging around the intricate spiral buildings. A second before we collided, it dropped low, rushing towards the ground, trailing black sand behind it with a 'whoosh'. I followed it, determined, before I noticed all the Guardians standing on an island in the palace. Sacrifice looked at me, and nodded, taking off after the horse as I dropped down, restraining my power.
Feathers behind me erupted in blue flame, burning away, and my pitch fork became the beautiful walking stick it once was. My teeth returned to normal, and my hair neatly rearranged itself back into it's bun, the fedora landing gently back on my head.
"Tooth! Are you alright?" North thundered, and Tooth flew around panicked.
"They took my fairy's, and the teeth. All of them, everything is gone-everything!" She answered, frantically buzzing her wings and darting around; searching for them. She settled down on her knee's in defeat, and the others besides Jack and I, hopped up to comfort her. I stood below and looked around for Pitch or anymore Nightmares. I wasn't the comforting type, and anyways, someone had to keep an eye out.
"Not all of them," Jack said, his voice quiet and hopeful as a tiny, beautifully feathered fairy flew out from behind his white hair. The tiny fairy joined Tooth, and she smiled hopefully. I averted my eyes, feeling awkward. It was like I was a third wheel, like I didn't belong.
Which was true. None of them liked me, and they went out of their way to tell me, or at least the Rat did. The others just sent me distasteful looks, save North. I crossed my arms, and watched for any signs of shadow's or black sand.
"I have to say, this is very, very exciting. The big four, and the Devil, all in one place." Pitch's dark, amused voice said, coming from different places in the palace. My eyes narrowed, and I searched the shadow's for any trace of him.
"I'm a little star-struck." Pitch finished, sarcasm and amusement lacing his words as he appeared above us, smirking with his hands held behind his back. "Did you like my show on the globe North? I brought you all together, didn't I?"
"PITCH!" Tooth yelled, crouching aggressively to spring. I tapped my stick, and in a split second was next to her. I held my walking stick out in front of her, stopping any movement.
"Calm yourself. He's doing this on purpose, to make you reckless and stupid." I whispered, and the rage in her big almond eyes calmed.
"You've got thirty seconds to return my fairies!" She screamed anyway, her wings buzzing in anger. He disappeared, and reappeared on top of another brightly colored building.
"Or what? You'll stick a quarter under my pillow?" He mocked, his voice becoming dangerous.
"What do you want?" North's accented voice broke in, as he stood tall, branding his golden and silver sword at Pitch.
"Maybe, I want what you have. To be believed in. Maybe, I'm tired of hiding under beds-!" He snarled, turning in to a shadow then reappearing closer to us. Jack began to take in what he said, and his blue eyes held sympathy. I ground my teeth and glared.
"Maybe, that's where you belong!" The Rat yelled back, walking forward. I glared at him.
"Rat Bastard, I know it's hard, but stop being a dumbass." I whispered fiercely. The way North and Tooth were talking, I could get some information out of Pitch, but with Bunny, all he would do was antagonize the King, and I would learn nothing.
Pitch appeared behind the Rat. "Go suck on an egg rabbit." He taunted, and disappeared in to the shadows again.
"Oh, and who's that, Jack Frost?" He said, laughing. "Since when are you all so chummy?"
I tapped my walking stick against the ground and appeared next to Jack, who was brandishing his wooden staff and looking around suspiciously. His blue eyes flickered to mine before he looked around again, his handsome pale face tense.
"I'm not." Jack answered defiantly.
"Jack, you know what they say about shadows?" I whispered, and he shook his head no. "That it's stupid to be afraid of them, because they can't hurt you. Same thing applies here, he's all bark and no bite." I finished, and Jack looked at me, relaxing some before looking for Pitch again.
"Oh, good, a neutral party. Or will you be tempted by the Devil who whispers in your ear? Either way, I'm going to ignore you. But, you should be used to that." Pitch said, appearing in the shadows of a fence.
"Pitch, you stinkin' bastard, come here!" Bunny growled loudly, lunging. Pitch smirked, and became a shadow again. Tooth yelled and charged, but a Nightmare reared out of the shadows to attack the feathered woman.
In that split second, I tapped my walking stick, and Sacrifice appeared in front of Tooth, taking the blow while Tooth screamed. Sacrifice looked to me, in silent question and I nodded right before she vanished. She would hunt down the nightmares again until I summoned her.
The King appeared in front of the dark horse, in a flash, while Tooth backpedaled to us, the colorful feathers along her body ruffled in alarm.
"Whoa, easy, easy." He said, calming the horse. Pitch trailed his hand through some of the black sand, and gestured to us. "Look familiar Sandman? Took me awhile to perfect this little trick; turning dreams into nightmares. Don't be nervous, it only riles them up. They smell fear." Pitch continued, explaining, the others backed up cautiously, but I stood still glaring at him.
"Afraid, of you? No one's been afraid of you since the Dark Ages!" Bunny yelled, brandishing his pitiful stick of wood at Pitch. I tapped my stick, and appeared behind Pitch, only to have him disappear into the shadows once more. My hands tightened on my cane; this was becoming annoying.
"Ah, the Dark Ages. Everyone frightened, miserable. Such happy times; for me." He said, appearing on top of a building to my left. I turned, and pointed my walking stick at him.
"You tipped the scales, King. No one has the right to do that," I said, pointing my walking stick at him. Bunny snorted below, and sent me a look that could've curdled milk. I ignored it, and stared instead at the Nightmare that was starting to edge closer to me. I smiled wide, and twirled my walking stick arrogantly, daring it to get closer. It backed off, and all I turned to see Pitch standing behind me. My eyebrows drew together, and I swung my walking stick at his head, but he disappeared before it could connect.
I straightened, and smoothed back my hair.
"They tipped the scales, with their goodness and light, lifting their hearts, and giving them hope. Meanwhile, everyone wrote me off as just a bad dream, 'oh there's nothing to be afraid of, there's no such thing as the boogeyman." Pitch spat, his face holding a rage that made even me, blink in alarm. The other's backed up a few steps, surprised by the anger, and the foreboding of the speech as he appeared on an even higher building above us all.
He chuckled, changing gears. "Well, that's all about to change."
Under me, the building started to disintegrate, and the palace shook. I looked around, and saw the other buildings quivering, before they started to disintegrate as well.
"It's happening already." He said, appearing next to me. I turned and glared, both hands on my walking stick.
"What is?" Jack asked, as blue flame roared towards Pitch, who once again disappeared. Tooth was looking crushed, and the King's voice came out from the shadows.
"Children, are waking up, and realizing the tooth fairy never came," He said, his voice mockingly sweet. "Such a little thing, but to a child…"
"What's going on?" Frost asked, confused as he watched the buildings crumble into dust.
"They-they don't believe in me anymore," Tooth said, her voice heartbroken and resigned. I felt sympathy stir inside my chest for her, but I pushed it away angrily. I drew the hidden blade out of my walking stick and waited for Pitch to make his move.
"Didn't they tell you both? It's great being a Guardian, but there's a catch. If enough kids stop believing, everything your friends protect; wonder, hopes and dreams, it all goes away." He drawled sinisterly, and chuckled briefly. "And little by little, so do they. No Christmas, or Easter, or little fairies that come in the night. There will be nothing but fear, and darkness and me. It's your turn, not to be believed in." Pitch continued, the tones of his voice dark as he towered over us, casting a long shadow over us all.
"I don't think so King." I said, tapping my sword against the ground and appearing in front of him. Blue flame danced around us, as I raised my blade to strike. In that fraction of a second, he smirked, and fell off a building, before falling gracefully onto a Nightmare. I dove down after him through the air, but accidentally passed through direct sunlight and spun off course, losing him. I winced as I fell into the water.
I looked down to arm where the direct sunlight had touched me. It had burned through my clothes and left a golden burn on my white skin. I stood up, and looked around me. It was beautiful, I was in a small crystal blue pond surrounded by rocks and a blooming cherry tree. Emerald green moss and grass collected on the rocks around me, and I turned to see a big picture on the rock wall in front of me.
I got out of the water, and sat on the rocks, sheathing my walking stick. I stood, and crossed my arms.
"He fucking got away." I spat as the others joined me.
Tooth sat in a heep, with baby tooth flying around her worriedly. Jack crouched by her.
"Why would Pitch want the teeth?" Jack asked.
"It's not the teeth, it's the memories inside them, that's why we collect the teeth Jack. They hold the most important memories of childhood." She said, her voice rough. Gears began to turn in my head, about why Pitch would want to steal memories. She flew over to the huge picture of her on the cave wall, while Jack followed her.
"My fairies and I watch over them, and when they need to remember what's important, we help them. We had everyone's teeth, yours too." She explained, looking up at the painting.
"My memories?" Jack asked, and it clicked. My eyes widened, and dimly I noticed Jack becoming upset about not remembering his past. Pitch wanted to do two things with the teeth; hide good memories away from adults and children to drag them further into fear and darkness, and two… He wanted to have some pull with at least one of the Guardians. He was setting Jack up so that way he could use him in the future. My eyebrows drew together as I thought about it.
What a sly bastard.
"Oh no," Tooth gasped softly, as some of her colorful feathers fell to the ground. I looked up to see the beautiful cave painting of her wither and darken. "The children…"
"They've stopped believing." I whispered.
"We're too late," She agreed, and North straightened up proudly, his face determined.
"NO! It is never too late! Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait…" He said, his brow darkening in though as he swung his swords up on his shoulder. "Idea!" North bellowed happily, whirling and pointing one silver sword in bunny's face. "We collect the teeth. We get the teeth, children keep believing in you!" He said, pointing to Tooth.
"We're talking seven continents, millions of kids-!" Tooth cried, flying around excitedly. I smiled genuinely. It could work.
"It can work. Nikolas gets the whole world by himself in one night, so imagine what you all can get done?" I agreed, and North smiled triumphantly.
"And Jack, if you help us, we will get you your memories," North promised, smiling.
"I'm in." Jack said, grinning. North turned to me, and so did Tooth.
"What about you Sin?" He asked, and I shook my head gently.
"I risk more damage helping then standing aside. I'll keep watch for Pitch. If this fails, I've got something up my sleeve that might help, but it's only as a last resort." I said passively, and North laughed.
"Brilliant! Now, we go!" He said, and they hopped on his sleigh. I looked up and noticed the daylight.
"Um, North, I can't go with you now. I'll meet up with you later." I said, and the Saint turned to look at me. I gestured to the golden burn on my arm, and he nodded. Bunny got pissed, and glared at me.
"I'm watching you, She-Devil." He growled, and leaped in to the sleigh. Sandman looked at me sheepishly shrugging, and Jack stared at me.
"Why can't you go, and why can't you help?"
I stared at him, both my hands resting on the black walking stick in front of me. "There are some things I can't do, or places I can't go. I can't be in direct sunlight, I can't cross on to hallowed ground, graveyards, churches, etc. and because I spread sin, I'd just spread it to the kids parents and make the kids' lives worse." I explained, and he nodded. He walked up to me, and put his hand on my shoulder. His bright eyes shown in the golden sunlight, while my cruel light eyes stared back from under the shadows.
"Have fun." I said emotionlessly, before walking to sit under a purple blossomed tree. I watched them all fly off into the sunlight, and sighed.
I did have a plan, if all else failed, and I was sure that North knew what it was. It was dangerous, and it would defiantly be tipping the scales, but if worse came to worse, it was a drastic action that had to be taken. I leaned back against the smooth bark of the tree. I hoped they were successful, because the fail-safe was really a last stand against the King.
I laid back, and called Sacrifice back to me. She had once been a prostitute, and I had found her dead in the snow. I saw her soul, and her horrible life. She was the only one I consulted, the only sin that wasn't truly evil, yet was bound to hell nevertheless.
In life, her name was Veronica. She had a little sister and brother, and to pay for their house and food, she became a prostitute. One night, she took them out for dinner, and some thugs ambushed them. They grabbed her siblings, and she murdered the thugs to save them, but was shot five times in the stomach, and died saving them. If there was a heaven, she wouldn't have been let in. So, I brought her soul back.
"Do you think I should do it?" I asked quietly, my voice grave and low. I took a flask out of my vest and took a swig of whiskey. Sacrifice frowned, standing tall before kneeling.
"I think desperate times require desperate actions, Lady. I believe the ends justify the means in this situation. Besides, you never make any decisions without thinking them through. It's what makes you a dangerous enemy, my Lady." She answered, her voice as always, strong and yet sad. I leaned my head back, and tipped my fedora forward.
"Do you think that Frost will give in?" I asked, my voice a little rougher. She tilted her hood covered face and frowned.
"May I ask; do you?" She asked, and I smiled somewhat warmly.
"I have faith in Jack. Other's don't trust him, but when it comes to blow's between him and the King; he won't disappoint. His soul may be sardonic, and often times mislead, but he knows right from wrong." I said, and Sacrifice nodded.
"My Lady, I do have to wonder why the Moon chose you to help guide Jack." She remarked. My lips thinned into a tight line.
"Sacrifice, I've wondered the same thing many times throughout my job. But, such stupid questions are best left to philosophers, and not the Devil, don't you think?" I said, tilting my head towards her. She nodded.
I glanced up, and saw that night had fallen. I smiled crookedly, my eyes narrowing slightly.
"It's on Pitch," I muttered under my breath, tipping back my hat, then tapping my walking stick against the ground to teleport us to where the Guardians were.
okay! Please review, I want to know if there's anything I should fix, and also! It's listed as romance so...Sin has to hook up with someone. Choices as of now are...
A) Jack
B)Pitch
C) You're suggestion! ('cept for the bunny. There is no way that is happening with THIS OC...Besides, I like the bunny, and a relationship between the two would be bad for him..)
And even if I post another chapter, keep voting please!