Chapter One: The Boogeyman

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Hey there, I just watched 'Rise of the Guardians' a few days ago, and this idea wouldn't leave me alone.

I felt sort of sorry for Pitch, after the movie, so I thought he deserved to at least find someone who would appreciate him.

And just to let you know beforehand, I'm basing this completely by what I saw in the movie. I haven't read the books yet and I didn't even know there were any^_^;

But, I DO intend to read them, I just have to find them first.

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It was a quiet night in the small town of Burgess, all the little children were now ending their games for the day and hurrying back to their homes before it got too dark, none of them wanting to get in trouble by their parents for missing their curfew.

All but one child, who was in no hurry at all, knew she could take a little extra time just as long as she made sure to be home just a little bit after it was dark like she promised.

Tessa Williams was ten years old, and relatively new to Burgess. It was about three days before Christmas after tonight, so that meant she had moved there with her mother and her boyfriend James about two and a half months ago.

So far, Tessa loved living in her new home. It was a lovely little town, and everyone that lived there were very kind and would always say 'hello' or wish her a good morning, or afternoon, wherever she went .

She also made lots of friends here, and after school or during a snow day, she'd meet up with them and have snow ball fight or go sledding with them.

She loved playing with her new friends, and when the day would come to and end and they had to go home, she would always take the long way back to her house through the park. The snow always sparkled so beautifully thanks to the soft, pale light of the moon when it was full, she just just loved looking at it.

With a big smile, Tessa bent over and scooped up a handful of snow, tossing it over her head before she started twirling around and pretending that the glimmering ice crystals landing in her long, curly black hair was magic dust.

If she ever met Jack Frost, she would have to thank him for bringing the snow every year.

Yes, Tessa knew about Jack, actually, she knew all about the Guardians.

The first friend she ever made in school was Jamie Bennett, and after a while of getting to know each other, he told her all about the spirit of winter. He also told her about the Tooth Fairy, Sandman, The Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, and about how he and his other friends had actually helped to save the children's beliefs in the Guardians last year on Easter.

Tessa wholeheartedly believed his story, and couldn't imagine not believing in them, especially Santa Claus. Christmas had always been her favorite holiday, and it just wouldn't be Christmas without him. And after Jamie had finished telling her the story, it was then that Tessa made a promise to herself that Santa and the other Guardians wouldn't ever have to worry about being forgotten by her.

She would always believe in them...

It was starting to get colder as Tessa continued on her way home, but it didn't seem to bother her as she soon began to hop down the park path, watching as the snowy powder flew up from under her feet while she sang her favorite Christmas song.

'Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa,

Right down Santa Claus lane,

Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer

Pulling on the reins,

Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright,

So hang your stockings and say your prayers

'cause Santa Claus comes tonight…'

She paused when she suddenly noticed that the world around her began to darken. And looking up, she saw that the clouds had surrounded the moon, all except for one spot that made her smile, and stare with wonder when she realized that she was standing in a moonlit spotlight.

Tessa gave a short gasp when the light beam suddenly moved off of her, stopping directly in front of her and then moving ahead off the path. And after giving an excited laugh, she chased it into the meadow.

"Hey!" she called after it with a giggle. "Come back!"

but her laughter soon stopped when she came to a halt at the bottom of a large sledding hill, and watched as the light skirted upwards before when it shone over a large tree that sat at the very top. Tessa only looked at the tree for a moment, but as her curiosity outgrew her hesitation, she soon she started to climb up the hill.

Every step she took it the light got bigger and brighter as the clouds slowly started to disperse from the sky, and when Tessa finally reached the top, she could see something laying at the base of the trunk...

Her eyes widened and a worried expression formed on her face when she realized that it was a person, a man, laying down in the cold snow.

"Hello?" Tessa asked, kneeling down next to him. "Are you alright?"

When he didn't answer her, she got even more concerned. His skin was an ashy color that was so pale, it made his black hair and cloths look even blacker. How long had he been out here in this weather? Would she even be able to help him?

She hesitantly reached a hand out to his still figure, "Excuse m-"

As soon as she laid her hand on his shoulder, the man suddenly sprang to life and grabbed her by the wrists in a tight grip with his long spindly fingers. It all happened so fast, Tessa couldn't even utter a sound as she stared into his angry and panic filled face.

"Who are you?!" He snarled in a strained voice. "Where am I?!"

"I-I'm Tessa," the little girl stammered. "And we're in the park; I thought you might be hurt…"

His yellow eyes seemed to get unfocused, and he bowed his head, groaning in pain. He didn't let go of Tessa's wrists, but their grip loosened up some.

Swallowing her uncertainty, Tessa gathered up the nerve to say something. "What's your name?"

"I'm…Pitch," the man replied, he sounded like he was hurting. "Pitch Black."

Tessa gave a gasp, her bright blue eyes widening with fright at his words. She had heard about Pitch Black from Jamie too, he was the Boogeyman! She already knew that a Boogeyman was evil and mean, and liked to hurt kids.

And now the real one had her in his clutches!

She flinched when he suddenly sat up with a gasp, his frightened eyes darting around the park.

"They're coming!" he stated in panic, "The Nightmares!"

Tessa gave a yelp when he suddenly dropped her, and stumbled a few paces.

"Got to..get a…way."

With that, he fell to the ground completely out cold while Tessa wasted no time scrambling to her feet. Fully intent on going back to the path and running the whole way back to the safety of her house.

But then, something made her stop in her tracks, and she gave a concerned glance back at his still form. Even though she knew that he was the real Boogeyman, he didn't really seem as evil as the other one…

Plus, he seemed scared about the bad dreams he mentioned before, she didn't know that the real Boogeyman could get scared, maybe that meant he wasn't so bad after all.

And he really was was hurt, too... Tessa knew she would feel terrible if she just left him alone like this, what if something really bad happened to him?

Deciding that she wouldn't take another step towards home without him, Tessa marched right back over to his side, slinging a limp arm over her shoulders and trying to pull him up.

But after a couple futile attempts, she reluctantly concluded that he was just too heavy for her, she would need help to get him home.

Gently put his arm back on the ground, she looked around the area for something she could use.

Off in the distance, Tessa noticed that there was a bright red plastic snow sled nearby. And as she hurried over to it, she couldn't help but wonder who would just abandon a perfectly good sled.

But soon came to the understanding of the 'why' when she saw that there was a large crack in the middle of the curved front of the sled that went a little ways down.

She wouldn't want to play with this, but it would serve its purpose of helping her carry Pitch back to her house.

After she brought the sled close to Pitch's unconscious figure she tried maneuvering him onto it, with great difficulty as she would sometimes have to chase the sled down the hill when it was moved, until finally he lay on his back inside it.

Tessa panted heavily after she accomplished the task, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a purple, mitten covered hand and waiting until her breath came back to her after the taxing activity.

But as soon as she felt recovered enough, she grabbed the string on the front of the sled and started to pull. Looking back every once in a while to make sure that the Boogeyman hadn't rolled off until she finally made it home.

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Well, that's the end of the first chapter; I hope you all enjoyed it.

Be sure to let me know what you think, okay?