Don't you just love Saturdays? Huzzah! Listen to:
Not Alone - Linkin Park (Itz awesome :D)
Chapter 3: Not Alone
Where we last stop:
The shadows were here, more ominous and scary up close.
They had dark whispers emanating from them, shrills escaping their depths.
They radiated pure evil.
And she was trapped.
Kayla gasped and quickly formed a few energy rays, ready to take on the shadows, her stance defensive.
She felt a tremor wreck through her as she looked at the shadows rising growing more formidable, whispering her name.
The shadow reared its head and was about to strike when a brilliant green light illuminated the alleyway, causing Kayla to shield her eyes and take a step back.
The green light flooded and Kayla came back to her senses, opening her eyes wide and looking around for whoever saved her.
"You really should just blast them with those rays, it always works," a smooth voice said from above her and Kayla gaped as a guy looking in his late teens graced down in front of her, wearing a gentle smile.
He had sandy blond hair that fell to his eyes in soft waves, was imposingly tall and like her, had brilliant hazel eyes. His chiseled features practically glowed in the fading sunlight as Kayla realized he was devastatingly handsome. His features and lithe body could definitely outrival Adonis's if not overshadowing it completely.
He was clad in a simple black jeans and t-shirt, giving of an aura of normality if it wasn't for his show of powers.
"Hi, I'm Pierre," the intriguing stranger in a voice with a reminiscing British accent as he extended his hand.
Kayla gaped at him as she took his hand numbly. "I'm Kayla," she whispered softly, still shocked from the attacked and his sudden appearance.
Pierre gave her an easygoing grin. "I take it you never fought shadows before?" he asked and flashed her a grin. Kayla was taken aback by his straight pearly white teeth.
Tooth would freak out if she ever saw his teeth.
"Nope," Kayla admitted with a hint of embarrassment as she realized this perfect stranger was teasing her. "You're like me too? A Feeling?" Kayla asked curiously.
Pierre gave a small laugh. "Is that what you are?" he asked in a lighthearted tone, folding his arms.
Kayla looked miff as Pierre suddenly looked apologetic.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that way, I just thought you were another spirit or something," Pierre said in a shocked tone as he really took her in.
"Yes, I'm a Feeling too, I hope I made it clearer," he said with a smile.
Yep, he's definitely British, Kayla thought as she realized he made the 'er' in clearer practically silent.
Kayla smiled. "I'm the Spirit of Faith."
"The Spirit of Belief, at your service," Pierre said playfully as his face suddenly turned serious.
"I thought I was the only one" the male Feeling said as he stared at Kayla in unconcealed awe.
Kayla felt herself flushing at his intense gaze. "Surprise," she told him halfheartedly.
Pierre had a sudden look of inspiration on his face. "Hey, do you mind following me back to my place, I really want to talk more but there might still be Doubts hanging around," Pierre said uncertainly.
Kayla nodded as she looked at him inquisitively. "What're 'Doubts'?" she asked her tone suspicious.
The self assured male Feeling gave her a smile and a shake of his head as he flew up and without asking for her permission, grabbed Kayla's hand and flew off.
"Hey!" Kayla spluttered indignantly as she felt him loosen his grip in apology but still keeping a hold.
Sheesh, doesn't he know anything about personal space? Kayla thought sourly.
"Doubts are something of our mortal enemy or something like that, they destroy everything we work for and often hunt down Feelings to satiate their bloodlust," Pierre replied to her, his sandy hair blowing haphazardly in the wind as he turned around to grin at her.
Kayla frowned as she felt the wind slowly changing from cold to muggy. She looked at this stranger warily as she fidgeted from his hold.
Pierre released her hand with a look of slight horrification which turned into a grin. "I'm sorry, I haven't been around people for a very long time, I think I must have forgot how to act around others, especially a lovely lady like yourself," Pierre said in his smooth British accent which radiated sincerity.
Kayla felt sorry for him, despite her initial wariness at first. She gave him a small smile as she flew in par with him.
"It's okay, I know what it's like to be alone for a long," she acquiesced in a soft tone. Pierre turned around, looking hopeful.
"I've been alone for almost 1000 years," the British said. "How long have you been alone?" Pierre asked quietly, his curiosity piqued.
Kayla face grew hot at his question. Somehow, his honest curiosity overthrew her and this was just within minutes of meeting him.
"I've never… Actually been alone before, I had family and friends," Kayla admitted. "It was my boyfriend I was talking about."
Pierre's whole demeanor changed when he heard the word 'boyfriend' and he gave her a small smile.
"He's been alone for almost 300 years," Kayla finished as the need to explain for Jack made itself apparent.
Pierre nodded. "I see."
Kayla looked around her surroundings and realized they were flying over dense foliage and the air around became subsequently fresher and smelled of pine.
Kayla looked perplexed.
"Where are we? I thought we were in Burgess?" she asked, panic coloring her tone.
"Relax silly, we are, this are the forests of Burgess," Pierre said with a chuckle as he touched down gently on the forest floor with Kayla flying suit.
"Why are we here, again?" Kayla asked, examining their surroundings.
They had landed in a clearing with a small wooden house in front of them, surrounded by tall pine trees which explained the smell of pine.
The house apparently looked more like a small hut.
"Where are we, Pierre?" Kayla asked, trepidation coloring her tone.
"Wow, for the Spirit of Faith, you really don't have much faith in me, huh?" Pierre asked teasingly as he gave her a mischievous grin.
Kayla huffed and scowled. "Well, forgive me Mr. I-swoop-in-and-save-a-girl-from-shadows- and-literally-kidnapped-her-to-the-forest, I'm just wondering where we are," Kayla replied archly.
Despite her words, Pierre laughed and his hazel eyes alighted with a boyish humor. "I didn't kidnap you, you came by your own freewill," the Spirit of Belief said as he smiled at her.
Kayla flushed for the 55th time that day in front of Pierre as she realized what he said was true.
"And to answer your second question, I live here," Pierre said and walked to the partially hidden wooden house.
Kayla huffed but followed him as she entered the unique looking small house. It was barely big enough to contain 4 people but what the lack of room made, the warm interior made up for it.
The hut was sparsely furnished but still held character as the walls and floors were wooden and the only thing decorating the hut was a small bed and a drawer.
"You definitely take minimalism to a whole new level," Kayla said with unconcealed enthusiasm. Truth be told, she was fascinated by this mysterious new guy and how he managed to live by himself for almost a 1000 years.
Added up to the fact that he often made her face feel like it could spontaneously combust from intensity or embarrassment.
Kayla digressed.
Pierre flashed her grin and gestured at his home. "It's the only place I truly belong," the male Feeling said and shrugged his broad shoulders.
"So, why are we here again?" Kayla asked innocently.
Pierre smirked before giving her a smile. "I wanted to know more about you," he said quietly and this made Kayla flush yet again. "When were you created?" he asked with unconcealed curiosity.
"I was created about a year ago, when I asked Manny to change me so that I could be with my boyfriend," Kayla said with a shrug. "I never thought the moon would listen but apparently he did, and here I am," she confessed.
"How about you?" she asked.
Pierre looked thoughtful for a moment. "I can't remember," he finally said, his shoulders sagging.
Kayla gave a short laugh but when she saw that Pierre was serious, she stopped. "You're serious?" Kayla replied, aghast.
Pierre nodded. "I guess after a 1000 years, things start to get a little foggy on the memories," he said nonchalantly as Kayla gaped at him.
She felt a sudden surge of pity for him. Not only was he lonely, he also couldn't remember where he came from.
A disturbing thought then crossed her mind. Maybe this was how Jack felt too, she thought as she couldn't help but draw parallels between Jack and Pierre.
Kayla laid a comforting hand on his shoulder which made Pierre flinch. Kayla withdrew her hand hastily as she gave him an apologetic look.
"Don't worry, this is what happens when you try to touch the hermit," Pierre said in a joking tone that sounded strain. Kayla could see that under his joking bravado, he looked sad yet in awe.
"How about I take you to the guardians?" Kayla asked out of the sudden. "They might be able to help you and us too," Kayla said as she looked hopeful.
Pierre looked confused. "You mean the Tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny, Santa and the Sandman?" Pierre asked hesitantly.
Kayla nodded animatedly. "They're my close friends, maybe they'll help you," Kayla said as a look of apprehension crossed the male Feeling's face.
The Spirit of Faith looked at him inquisitively as she patiently waited for his answer.
Pierre slowly nodded as Kayla grinned and zipped out of the hut, with Pierre hot on her heels.
She didn't know what the other guardians would think when they saw another Feeling, but one thing's for certain, boy are they gonna be shocked, Kayla thought as she sped off towards the North Pole.
Back at the Workshop, it was getting past evening and Jack was worried.
Kayla still wasn't back yet.
"I don't get it, she's never this late," the winter spirit said for the umpteenth time as he glanced exasperatedly at North.
The huge Guardian of Wonder just chuckled. "Patience Jack, maybe she's just caught up her new project- the orphanage," North said good-naturedly as he thumped Jack on the back and walked out, making the young spirit wince.
Jack sighed but before he could open his mouth, he heard a very faint noise. It sounded garbled as it came beyond the horizon. Jack squinted but couldn't see what caused that noise.
A sudden flash of blue light and Kayla came crashing from him, knocking his breath out of his system.
Jack gave a small laugh as he steadied her.
"Jack, get the others, I've got someone I want you to meet," Kayla said, out of breath as her eyes shone with excitement.
Jack's brow furrowed as he hesitantly called for the other guardians to come onto the patio where Jack was awaiting her.
"What happened? Is everything alright?" Jack asked as he looked Kayla in the eyes.
Kayla shrugged but before she had the chance to say anything, a smooth voice interrupted them.
"I'm guessing, it is alright," Pierre said as he landed next to Kayla with a flash of green light.
Jack did a double take, grasping his staff tightly as he stared at the intruder with a suspicious look.
"What is it, mate, this better be good," the voice of the Easter bunny sounded from behind Jack as the Pooka halted in his tracks.
"Oh, come on, Bunny, lighten up will you," the Tooth fairy said heartily as she too stopped mid-flight when she glanced at their newest addition.
Sandy and North too had the same reaction as Jack as they too looked weary and suspicious.
Kayla bounded in front of him as she gave a cautious look to the rest of her family. "Guys, I want you to meet Pierre, he's a Feeling too," Kayla admitted and braced herself.
Immediately sounds of shock, surprise and disbelief echoed from the guardians.
Jack stared at North, his mouth agaped. "I thought she was the only one," the winter spirit said in disbelief.
North too looked at the male Feeling with a look of shock, merely shrugging his huge shoulders.
"Wait, how do we know he's a Feeling for real," the Australian Easter bunny said as he narrowed his emerald eyes in suspicion.
Sandy was bouncing back and forth with confusion etched on his features.
Pierre hesitated for a moment before letting a green energy globe form on his palm which quickly dissipated in a green glow.
The Tooth fairy gasped. "It looks exactly like Kayla's powers, except its green," she said dumbfounded.
Jack looked slightly awed. "No shit, Sherlock," he whispered so low that the tooth fairy couldn't even hear it as North flashed him a warning glare.
"Happy, yet, mate?" Pierre said cheekily to the huge Easter Bunny as Bunnymund begrudgingly nodded.
North chuckled at the Pooka's reaction as he stood and walked to Pierre, extending his huge hand.
"North or Santa as they call me. What's your name?" North asked curiously.
"Pierre," the male Feeling replied and grinned which caused Tooth to start squealing.
"Your teeth! Their so white," she said as she fluttered to him and started prodding his mouth and teeth.
"Tooth," North warned as the Guardian of Memories backed off with a sheepish grin.
"She does this all the time," North said good-naturedly as Sandy flew up and nodded.
Pierre laughed at the way how they all interacted as he looked over at Kayla.
"I'm the Spirit of Belief, if you guys were wondering," Pierre said quietly as everyone stared at him with open mouths.
"North, if Kayla is the Spirit of Faith and he's the Spirit of Belief, doesn't that make him way more fundamental? It's belief, North," Bunnymund said in an awed tone.
Kayla looked miffed. "Replacing me already?" she said with ice in her tone, glaring hazel daggers at Bunny.
Jack stepped forward and grasped Kayla's hand gently. "What he means is that you are equally as important too but we haven't seen a Feeling that possesses the basic emotion we spirits need to help children," Jack explained as Kayla's face softened.
"Right, Bunnymund?" Jack said in a harder voice as Bunny perked up from his hushed conversation with North.
"Oh, right, tight you are, mate," the Easter Bunny replied a little bit too fast but Kayla decided to let it go.
"So, Pierre, how did you meet Kayla anyway?" Jack asked a little too mildly as Pierre looked taken aback by his question.
"I'm guessing you're the boyfriend she mentioned about?" Pierre said in a light tone as he gestured to Kayla who was looking at Jack with wide eyes.
Everyone else halted in their conversation tracks as they turned to face Pierre, Jack and Kayla.
Jack nodded coolly. "Yup," the winter spirit said his eyes hard.
"Your sweetheart here happened to be battling shadows when I was alerted by their presence and came down to help her," Pierre said as he glanced at a stoic Kayla. "And I guess that's how we met, pure coincidence," Pierre said docilely as he looked back at Jack with radiating sincerity.
Jack frowned when he heard Pierre's story but nonetheless he didn't say anything.
"Shadows?" North asked his tone tight.
Pierre nodded as he turned to look at the huge Russian. "The prophecy concerning this one was right, the Dark Times are upon us," Pierre said and for the first time since reaching the North Pole, he frowned.
Kayla's breathe hitched. "You mean, those are the shadows that the prophecy mentioned," she asked, her voice barely a whisper as her grip on Jack's hand tightened.
Pierre's silence told her everything.
So, how'd you guys like Pierre? Oh, and I'm planning to complete 2 more ROTG fanfics about Sandy and Bunnymund's story but I dunno, is it ever a good idea juggling 3 fanfics at once?
Thank you for reviewing and remember, reviews increase my production of brain and imagination juice.
So, review! Please!
6 reviews before I post the next chapter :)
