A/N: So hello people! Here's the third chapter for this story already and I hope you all will enjoy it. I also have to say that it seems my stories always become darker than I want them to become, oh well, it can still be a lot of fun. :) Oh and a big thanks for my beta reader! And it took a bit longer than planned, but I had exams and they kind of go before writing, still I promise never to abandon a story.

I know that there were probably a lot of people questioning why I let Pitch over Merlin that deal, but you can also not deny that so many years alone can definitely damage a person, just like Jack. So please enjoy this chapter and tell me what you thought of it.

xxx

The dark man looked amused down at him. 'We both know who you really are.' Merlin just shot him a glare in return. 'Don't be so hostile, I simply wish to give you an offer.'

'And that is?'

'I wish for you to join me.'

Merlin blinked as he stared at the shadow man in front of him. 'You want me to join you?' He let out a small laugh, one that was created mostly by the his nerves. He could feel the power that the man emitted, the darkness. He breathed in deeply as he narrowed his eyes, glaring at the man in front of him. 'I will not work with you.' He could feel the pure darkness of the man, he clearly had nothing good in mind.

The shadow man's eye twitched slightly as he breathed in softly. 'But why not, we would make a great team.' He stepped closer to Merlin. 'I am darkness and you... I can feel the darkness inside your heart, your anger and your fear.'

Merlin stiffened and quickly threw his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, straightening his back to make himself taller, this man was way too tall. 'Stay out of my head, I may hold darkness like you say, but that doesn't mean that I will give in to the darkness and work with the likes of you. Get out of my house. Now!' The last word he shouted.

The shadow man didn't even blink at the angered warlock in front of him.

'Gedríf butan sé carcernþéostru.' Merlin hissed and he could see the shadow man step back in fright as a warm light spread from the raven's body, heading towards the man. 'I told you, get out!'

'I'm not afraid of your spells, the only thing they can possibly do is scratch me, they will never be able to hurt me.' Those angered eyes softened for a moment 'But I will do as you wish, I will go, for now.' He said with a chuckle as he stepped back, already engulfed by the shadows of the night. 'But remember that I know your darkness, your fear of becoming the monster... even though you already are a monster, an immortal one. Always watching your friends die, betraying them, lying to them.' A loud high laugh rang through the room. 'I will be gone, but don't forget me, my name is Pitch Black.' And with that he was gone.

Merlin stared into the darkness as he reached for his chest, feeling how his heart had tightened by those simple words. He knew they were true, he was nothing other than a monster. He always had to choose between a lonely lifetime or one where he felt continual loss, as he watched his friends die, one after another... if he even had them that long, usually they accused him of witchcraft when they saw that he didn't age.

That night his dreams were filled with nightmares.

xxx

Jack glanced at Jamie as he walked with the boy to school, listening to the boy's joy filled words. Jamie had clearly enjoyed Jack's stay, they had talked almost the whole night, or at least until he knew that he should be the responsible one, so he sent Jamie to bed.

The winter spirit brushed his staff along the sidewalk, freezing the stones as they met the wood. It was still snowing softly and Jack knew that there would probably be a large snowball fight during lunch break, especially if he had something to say about it.

'... Jack, are you listening?'

He glanced sheepishly back to Jamie, blinking slightly before he rubbed the back of his head. 'Yeah, I wasn't really listening, sorry. What did you say?'

Jamie shrugged. 'Nothing much, just that after school I think the others and I would really like to play in the snow.'

'Sounds like a plan!' Jack said with a smile as he gave the other a thumbs up.

It didn't take long before they reached Jamie's school and Jamie ran inside, followed by Jack who simply grinned as he walked in after the boy. Smiling at the children who were able to see him, which was mostly Jamie's gang, a little girl two grades under Jamie, who only stared at him with big green eyes and then an older boy who begged him for a free snow day.

Eventually he wandered towards Jamie's desk and sat down in the windowsill next to the boy's table. He was chatting softly with Jamie until their teacher walked in. Jack stared at Merlin, or Mr. Emerson as the students were supposed to call him. The raven looked tired, almost as if he could fall asleep at any moment, dark circles clearly visible beneath his bright blue eyes.

He wasn't sure if the others saw it too, as it was clear that this man was good at hiding his tired eyes beneath his warm and gentle smile. A smile that could easily light up the whole room and Jack wasn't surprised that he was a favorite among the children.

Jack didn't really pay much attention to what Merlin was explaining, something that most likely had to do with math, a subject that he didn't really care about, he was a spirit after all, and he hadn't any use for numbers or any such thing.

It was during the first break and the children had already rushed to the playground that Jack made his way towards the teacher's desk, standing in front of Merlin who looked up at him from his seat. 'Ahh Jack, it's good to see you again,' Merlin exclaimed with a forced smile.

'Yeah, I would say the same about you... How are you, you look tired.'

And with that Merlin's smile disappeared and he let his head drop into his hands. 'Is it really that obvious?... And it's nothing, just a rough night.'

Jack climbed on top of the table, sitting with crossed legs in front of the teacher. 'I don't think the kids noticed.' He leaned forwards as he examined Merlin's face. 'But is that really all there is to it?'

'Yeah, don't worry about it.' Merlin answered as the fake smile returned to his face, shaking his head slightly.

It was then that Jack noticed it, the small grains of black sand falling from that raven black hair. Jack's hand shot forward, brushing through that black hair and pulling out the grains of sand, pitch black against his milk white skin. 'Pitch.' He mumbled.

Merlin pulled back, almost causing the chair to tip over as he stared with wide eyes at the winter spirit. 'What di-.'

'Do you work for Pitch?' Jack snapped as he threw the sand to the ground and reached for his staff.

'P-Pitc-...' Merlin fell silent as his eyes widened even further. 'Pitch.' He eventually breathed out as he straightened his back. 'No... no, I don't work with Pitch, I...'

'But you met him.'

It was a moment more but in the end Merlin nodded. '... Yes, I met him... Last night, he told me that he wanted to work with me.'

'You can't!'

'I know... that is why I refused his offer.'

Jack blinked rapidly as he rubbed his face, it was clear that something had to be done... and quickly. He had to get Sandy, he didn't knew if some sand had gotten into Merlin.

Right then the bell rang, break was over.

Jack's eyes snapped open as he looked back at Merlin. 'Do you know if any of the sand got inside of you?' Merlin blinked at him for a moment, but shook his head. 'Then you go back to teaching and I will call Sandy.' The teacher gave him a confused look and he quickly added. 'He's a friend of mine, he will be able to tell if any sand got inside of you, it may corrupt you.'

It was clear that Merlin didn't really like the idea, but it was also clear that he had no other choice. So he quickly gave Jack a nod and turned to the first students coming through his door.

Jack quickly returned to his place next to Jamie's seat and waited for the boy to return.

Jamie looked a bit hurt as he returned to the class, glaring at his icy friend. 'Why didn't you come outside to play with us?'

'I had to do something.' Jack answered as his eyes shot for a moment to Merlin. 'Jamie, I'm sorry, but I have to go. I will be back around lunch.'

'Uhh... okay.' The boy answered as he saw the seriousness in Jack's eyes.

Jack smiled as he said a quick goodbye to Jamie and the others before he climbed out of the window and let the wind guide him into the air and towards North's workshop. It wasn't as if he knew where in the world Sandy might be, so calling him through the northern lights may be his best option.

He slowed down when he saw the workshop and quickly scanned for an open window, which he found on the second floor. He almost flew into a yeti as he made his way towards the main room. 'North.' He called for the jolly man as he saw the man standing in front of another yeti, something about the toys being red instead of yellow.

North turned around, a wide smile spread over his lips. 'Jack!' He beamed out as he took the teen in his arms. 'Good to see you, but vhat are you doing here?'

'Do you remember the man I told you about that was able to see me?' North nodded. 'I saw him again today and he was covered in Pitch's sand.' He explained slightly panicked.

North's eyes narrowed themselves as he nodded. 'I vill call Sandy.' And he immediately spun around.

Jack sighed as he followed North, he hoped that nothing was wrong with Merlin, he kind of liked the man.