Hi guys, thank you for all the reviews ;) the more you review the more I write. I am really actually enjoying writing these one-shots, they are a nice way to fill in the gaps between my installment. (Which is coming along nicely insert evil laughter here) Anyway, enjoy :)
(At the Pole)
"And you are sure of this?" North raised an eyebrow
"Oh yeah, I asked mom and she told me it was this Friday." Jack could barely contain his anticipation
"I don't know Jack, maybe we should ask him…" Tooth spoke up
"No! It has to be a surprise!" the winter spirit pleaded, "I loved it when you guys did it for me."
The Guardians smiled at the memory of Jack's face.
"All right Frostbite," Bunnymund laughed, "But how do we keep him distracted while we set it up?"
"I can help."
They all turned as Patrick walked up, "Distractions are a specialty of mine." he grinned, "Who are we distracting?"
"This Friday is Pitch's birthday and I wanted to throw him a surprise party." the winter spirit spoke as eagerness filled his face
"How'd you find out that information?" Patrick huffed, "I could never get it out of him."
Jack smirked, "I just asked mom."
Patrick laughed, "Going to the source, you sure you weren't meant to be in business?"
"Ok, we have one week to get everything set up." North spoke up
"I will be in charge of food," Tooth smiled
"Bunny and I will be in charge of getting guests." North volunteered
"That shouldn't take long." Bunny smirked as he nudged North
"And Sandy and I will decorate!" Jack practically did a back flip as his excitement level reached critical mass.
Sandman shook his head at his brother's enthusiasm. An image of Jack exploding appeared over his head.
"He will Sandy, if he can even manage to keep it." North laughed along with the others at Sandy's implication that the winter spirit was going to explode
"Hey!" Jack pouted, "I can keep it secret."
Patrick laughed, "We'll see kid." he smiled, "Ok it's settled I'll take Pitch with me on Friday." Patrick grinned, "I'm meeting a new client and wanted some company anyway."
"Operation Shadow is a go!" the winter spirit fist pumped
Bunny raised an eyebrow, "Operation Shadow? You come up with that on your own."
"Yeah, cool huh?" Jack grinned as he raced from the room, his excitement finally reaching the point of no return.
(A week later)
"I'm telling you Patrick, something is going on." Pitch spoke as they entered into the large stone castle
"Like what?" Patrick sweat dropped
"Like how Tooth giggles every time I walk by her."
"Women, who knows what goes on in their heads."
"But that's not it. Jack has been asking me things like 'What's my favorite color?' 'Do I have a favorite band?' 'Do I like balloons or streamers?' it's endless, the questions he asks."
"Well, maybe he just wants to get to know you better."
"The strangest has been Rabbit," Pitch frowned, "He asked me the other day if I had any friends, besides you."
"Maybe he's worried about your social life?"Patrick offered
"I highly doubt it."
Patrick frowned, "Shouldn't they have at least came and greeted us by now?" he spoke as he glanced around the empty hall; "Hey I'm Saint Patrick and I believe I'm here to see Mister Nobywka."
"You moron! That's the Russian word for trap!" Pitch yelled just as a large stone golem emerged behind them.
"Sorry Mister Fancy Learning!" the Leprechaun huffed, "I never got to learn a new language. I barely learnt English."
Pitch rolled his eyes as they both jumped to the side as the creature brought its large arms crashing down where they had once occupied, "I swear Patrick you do this on purpose." he spoke as he sank into the shadows
Patrick laughed, "Oh yeah Pitch, I love fighting for my life." he grunted as he slid under the golem.
The creature roared as Pitch emerged from the shadows behind it, slamming his sand scythe into its back. The golem screeched in agony, then fell to pieces when the magic that had created it dissipated.
Pitch huffed, "Any more surprises I should be aware of?"
"Ummm, no?" the Leprechaun smiled, "Well, looks like my client was a no show." Patrick glanced at his watch, "Let's get back to the Pole."
As the rainbow enveloped them neither saw the green eyes that narrowed as they left.
(At the Pole)
"It's too quiet…" the Nightmare King spoke softly as they appeared in the darkened hallway
"It is pretty late, maybe everyone's asleep?" the Leprechaun said as they walked toward the workshop
"I don't like it." Pitch formed his sand scythe, he cradled it in his hands as he cautiously made his way
"Ahh shit! He'll behead anyone that jumps out!" Patrick cleared his throat, "Pitch! Maybe You Should Put Your Weapon Away!"
Pitch frowned at him, "Why are you shouting, I'm right here?"
"I just think you're getting worked up over nothing…"
"Patrick, there's something wrong here and I…" Pitch jumped ten feet in the air as the lights suddenly came on full blast.
"Surprise!"
Pitch literally felt his heart jump into overdrive
The occupants of the room watched in disbelief as the Shadow King became just that, a cloud of shadows.
"Patrick! What happened to him?" Jack asked as he rushed to where his brother had once stood
The Leprechaun was laughing so hard tears were streaming down his face, "Oh Moon, I haven't seen Pitch so surprised since that time Iris came in on him taking a shower."
Iris rolled her eyes, "I thought it was you."
"Where did he go Patrick?" Jamie asked as he came over to join them
"When Pitch gets extremely surprised, or frightened his instinct is to go to the shadows." he grinned, "He'll reform in a few moments."
Just as Patrick said within seconds Pitch slowly emerged from the shadows, his hand on his heart.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" his golden eyes widened as he noticed the room for the first time. The entire workshop was decorated with ice streamers and sand balloons. Soft orchestra music played softly in the back ground; the smell of food filled the air. "What is this?" he asked confused as he caught sight of the pile of gifts on the table.
"It's your birthday Pitch." Jack said as he bounded up to him
"All of this, is for me?" Pitch spoke overwhelmed
"Yeah, mom told me what day your birthday was and I wanted to surprise you." he looked at the ground "I'm sorry if we scared you, I didn't know we would."
"It's fine Jack I…" Pitch was interrupted as Jamie ran over to them
"Hey Pitch," the boy grinned as he grabbed his arm, "Come on, you have to try the cake!"
Pitch allowed himself to be dragged toward the table full of food
"Its black devil chocolate cake." the winter sprit grinned as he followed, "Your favorite."
"How did you…" Pitch shook his head, "So all those questions was for this?" he smiled as he took a plate from the excited winter spirit
"Yeah, and you had no idea." Jack watched as Pitch took a bite, "So…"
Pitch shut his eyes, relishing in the taste. He had not had this since his mother had made it for him the birthday before she had died. He glanced at his brother who was watching him, "It is delicious Jack."
Jack smiled, "Tooth made it, though I helped."
"Yeah, if by help you mean he blew up the first two cakes and then was chased from the kitchen and told he would be killed if he set foot in there again." Bunnymund smirked as he came up.
Pitch raised an eyebrow, "And you actually had a part in this?" he placed a hand to his heart, "You do care."
Bunny huffed, "I had the easy task of rounding up your 'friends', though most of them have tried to kill you in past."
Pitch glanced at Greed who was arguing with Patrick over something.
Bunny continued, "Though I wouldn't mind making friends with that good looking sheila." he spoke as he caught sight of the woman walking towards them, her golden hair glowing in the light. He smiled as she came up, "Name's Aster E Bunnymund, and I don't think I've seen you before?"
"I'm Desaray, and it's nice to meet you." she glanced at Pitch, "I believe I have you a present birthday boy."
Bunnymund's jaw dropped as she grabbed Pitch and kissed him
"Ewww!" Jamie closed his eyes
Pitch smiled as she pulled back, "I do believe that will be my favorite gift." he smirked as she walked off, "You know Rabbit a bird might fly into your mouth if you leave it open like that."
"What the bloody hell just happened!" Bunny stared at Pitch
"Pitch and Desaray dated centuries ago." Jamie spoke up
"Pitch, you actually dated?" Jack stared at him
"Yeah…"
North walked up, his eyes wide, "Pitch, did that woman just kiss you?"
"Him and her dated!" Jack exclaimed
"No!" the Spirit of Wonder's eyes became saucers, he motioned for Sandman to come over, "Sandy, did you know Pitch dated that woman over there?"
Sandman's eyes widened, an image of a joke book appearing over his head
"Why is it so hard for you people to believe that I dated someone?" Pitch huffed
"Perhaps it is because you do not seem like the dating type Pritchard."
They all turned as Chand walked up, his snow white hair gleaming. He was dressed in his samurai armor, the golden dragons encircling his robe glinting; they could make out the golden hilt of a katana just under his robe.
"I didn't think you would be able to make it old friend." North spoke as he clasped the man's hand
Chand smirked, "I got lucky that the date landed on a new moon this year."
"Wow, dad looks so different." Jamie smiled as he stared at the newcomer from behind the food table. He smirked; "This will be fun." he raced up to them
"Ja…I mean, and what is your name?" Chand managed to catch himself
"Smooth dad," Jamie laughed, "Name's Jamie, and you must be Pitch's dad."
"I am."
"Did you really fight with Death?" hazel eyes were wide
Chand nodded, "I did, but Jack and Pitch were the ones to defeat her."
"Hey! I had a hand in it." Patrick spoke as he walked up, "I did seal her didn't I?"
Pitch laughed, "Sure Patrick, we would have been screwed if you hadn't stabbed her in the back."
"Damn straight, you guys owe me." the Leprechaun spoke smugly, "Though that fight wasn't nearly as bad as the time me and Pitch fought with a Zmag Oghjeni Vuk….
Pitch shook his head as Patrick launched into his story; he quietly slipped away from them. He stood against the wall silently observing, his mind overwhelmed by everything, so lost in thought he nearly jumped out of his skin when a hand gripped his. Golden eyes met emerald; he smiled as Desaray placed her head on his shoulder.
"You enjoying yourself Pitch?"
"I'm just overwhelmed a bit Desaray." he smiled as Mitch snuck up behind Bunnymund and place a 'kick me' sign on the pooka's back
Desaray laughed as Mitch gave Jack a thumbs up as he slipped away, "You know, those two were meant to be friends."
Pitch had to keep himself from dying of laughter as North caught sight of the sign, and promptly did what the paper said, "I think the spirit realm is about to come to an end."
Sure enough the room erupted in chaos as the pooka saw red and jumped North, the occupants of the room were treated to a rip roaring Guardian fight. Jack and Mitch were holding their sides as they laughed till tears were streaming down their faces, while Tooth yelled at the two Guardians to stop such nonsense. Chand simply shook his head as he side stepped the two as they rolled past him.
"You guys sure know how to through a party."
Pitch stiffened at the voice, "Pain." he placed himself in front of Desaray as the spirit walked up, "What the hell do you want?"
"Calm down, I'm not here to fight." he watched as the others in the room continued trying to break the combatants apart, "Adana told me to come, to apologize."
"I must be going deaf, did you just…"
Pain crossed his arms, "Look, this isn't easy for me Pitch. So just listen."
"I'm listening."
"I shouldn't have been so stupid to let Death manipulate me like she did." the spirit stared at the floor, "I shouldn't have treated you so cruelly all those centuries."
"I wasn't exactly the most corporative prisoner if I recall."Pitch smirked
"It wasn't that," Pain shook his head, "You were the one who killed Seth when he was human and I…"
"Wait, what the hell are you talking about?" Pitch looked at him confused, "I don't remember ever…"
"It was at the very start of the Dark Ages Pitch." Pain's eyes flashed, "But then again you killed so many people you wouldn't remember!"
The other occupants of the room all stopped at his shout, even North and Bunnymund stopped mid swing.
Pain continued unaware of their audience, "You killed him in cold blood! He was only sixteen you bastard, just a child!"
"I have no # %$ing idea what you're talking about Pain!" golden eyes flashed as he took a step towards the man in front of him, "The first thing I was really aware of was staring into North's face, his sword buried deep in my shoulder!"
"North…" Jack glanced at him
"He was trying to kill Tooth." North whispered as Pitch's face filled with anger
"I was stuck on the inside of my own mind, looking out through eyes that were not mine. Forced to watch as 'my' hands were the ones that were covered in blood, 'my' face that became the last thing that eyes saw before their life was taken from them!" Pitch clenched his fist as he glared at Pain, "Do you have any idea what that's like? To not have any control, to be caged in your own body?"
Pain didn't respond, his shame mounting with each anguished word that Pitch spoke
"I had given in Pain, I was broken." golden eyes glared, "I was tired of the torture, tired of the agony, I just wanted to die. But instead of dying I simply faded to the back, hidden away in complete shadow as Darkness took over."
"I had no…"
"No you don't Pain." Pitch continued softly, "I am sorry for how Sickness died. No sibling should have to lose another."
"And I am sorry for everything Pitch." Pain spoke as he offered his hand, "I am sorry all the pain I caused you, all the hate that you didn't deserve."
Pitch stared at his hand, he smiled as he clasped it, "Forgiven Pain, as a brother I understand the love a sibling has for another."
"I know it's not much Pitch, but I brought you a little something." Pain smirked as he handed a box to him
Pitch raised an eyebrow, "A gift?"
"Open it Pitch." Jack bounded over, startling them
Pitch noticed all the eyes staring at him, "Damn they all heard me." He glanced around searching their expressions. He was surprised that there was not a trace of anger or fear, just sadness for him and what he had went through.
Jack watched as his brother carefully unwrapped his gift, "What is it?" he asked when Pitch paused, his hand hovering inches above the contents of the box.
"Where did you find this?" Pitch whispered
"Found it lying around in the rubble, thought you might want it back." Pain spoke awkwardly
"I never thought I would see it again." his hands trembled as he pulled the broken scythe from the package, he held it reverently in his palms
"Wow Pitch that's so cool!" Jamie spoke wide eyed as he raced up to him
"That it is Jamie." golden eyes were close to tears
Jack noticed, "Hey guys, who wants food?"
The guests didn't have to be told twice as they all raced to the food table, leaving the Nightmare King and his siblings alone
"Is this the scythe you used to save your sister Pitch?" Jack asked as he stared at the broken weapon
Pitch nodded, "Though it was in better shape then."
Hazel eyes widened, "You saved your sister Pitch?"
"I did Jamie," he spoke softly; "I gave everything for her."
"What happened?"
Pitch smiled suddenly, "I'll tell you later, come we have a party to get back to I believe." he then walked over to the other guests.
"Come on Jamie, Mitch has a whole bag of fireworks he brought for the finale."
Jamie laughed; "This will be good." he then raced off with Jack
Pain shook his head as he watched the two boys run off, he turned to leave
"Child of Time." Chand spoke as he walked up
Pain flinched at the underlying tone of anger that seeped from the man's voice, he immediately went to one knee his head bowed, "I will accept any punishment you deem for the pain I caused your son Moon."
A smile formed on Chand's face, as he pulled Pain to his feet, "I will hold no grudge when my son has forgiven you."
"I did not realize what he went through," he watched as Pitch laughed at something Patrick was saying, "He deserves to have this."
Chand nodded, "I am also only now finding out the horrors that my son has been through." his voice filled with self anger, "If I had not been prevented from entering Death's catacombs I would have killed the bitch myself the first night she took him."
"Speaking of the Death, I noticed that the spire had splintered a bit." he startled when Chand grabbed his shoulders
"It has what!?" the man's golden eyes danced with fury, "How!"
"Not sure," Pain spoke quickly, "I noticed it after we fought that giant ass scorpion, I figured it happened when the creature flung Sorrow into the spire when it first appeared."
"That would not have caused it to splinter…"Chand shook his head, "Take me there, I need to see."
Pain nodded as he pulled a small watch from his pocket, "Akal said that his watch worked for both physical and spiritual creatures." he flipped it open. A bright light enveloped both of them as they disappeared from the party, the sound of fireworks being set off in the workshop echoing as if fanfare for their departure.
(That night)
"Sorry that Jack almost burnt down the Pole North." Pitch sighed as he followed the spirit
North laughed, "It is fine Pitch, yeti's managed to put out flame and only a few elves were singed."
"Exactly what did you want to show me?"
"This." the Spirit of Wonder spoke dramatically as he opened a door, "This is my gift to you. Your very own room"
"I'm not sure what to say North." golden eyes widened at the sight before them, "It's a bit much."
"Nonsense Pitch," the man smiled as they entered the room, "This is home now, I thought it time you had place here instead of guest room."
Pitch glanced around the enormous room, he smiled when he caught sight of two beds, one on either side of the room, "I take it Jack will be staying with me?"
"He begged, but if you don't want him too he said he'd understand."
Pitch laughed, "As if even I would be heartless enough to tell him no." he sighed, "As long as he doesn't mess with the memory sand."
North laughed, "You are a good brother Pitch," his eyes softened, "I want you to know that if you need to talk I am here. I will not pry, but I would love to hear about your story."
"It's not exactly a fairy tale North," he smiled, "But thanks for the offer, I appreciate it."
"We are family now Pitch and families listen to each other." he smiled
"Speaking of listening, have you seen Jack?"
North laughed, "He followed Jamie home, he said he was going to stay there tonight." he held up a hand when Pitch started to speak, "Do not be worrying, Tooth went to make sure he got there safe."
"Thank you North, for everything." Pitch spoke awkwardly
The Spirit of Wonder smiled, "Do not be mentioning Pitch." he spoke as he closed the door
Pitch sighed as he walked over to the bed, "Never thought in a million years I'd find myself here." he smirked as he laid down. Golden eyes promptly closed as the Nightmare King fell asleep, and for once in his life no blackened sand swirled above him.
Please review and let me know what you thought ;) And you have to try the cake, it was delicious! I found the recipe online and it was epic. And I am not just typing letters; Zmag Oghjeni Vuk is an actual creature. Don't want to spoil the story for the Pitch and Patrick story line by explaining it now ;) Hope you enjoyed the one-shot, Till Next Time