A/N: Not much to say on this chapter… Sorry for the late update. Enjoy the show.
(Jack)
I wasn't frozen in fear. I wasn't afraid of the Nightmares or Pitch. I was just surprised that he would try to attack Maxie with two Guardians with her. He must be very confident of himself. I heard walk up behind me. "Where's Tooth?" I didn't respond, looking for Tooth myself. I saw her between the dark horses and us, a little ways into the forest. "What's the matter?" Maxie sounded worried. I saw her turn to where the Nightmares and Tooth stood, locked in some sort of epic stare down.
"Come on." I finally said. "We need to kick Nightmare butt." Maxie just nodded. She beckoned Charlie with her hand, and put her hand on his forehead. I wasn't surprised when Charlie started glowing, and stretched into a large African lion, still white in color.
"He'll be surprised when he finds a girl that will kick his butt. Lets go." She started towards Pitch's minions and Tooth with me following quickly behind. Out of the Nightmares, Pitch started to emerge, but he wasn't alone. A dark blue energy emitted from the large man. His skin was dark, as if he lived on the beach.
Pitch and the newcomer stopped a couple of yards in front of Tooth. We stopped next to Tooth. "Did they hurt you?" It was strange that Maxie was more concerned about Tooth then frightened of Pitch, even though he almost killed her a couple of days ago. The amount of selfless concern surprised me. Then Maxie turned to Pitch. "You had better hope I do not get my hands on you . I swear to god, it you ever hurt me or one of my friends again, I will shove my foot so far up your-" I quickly put my hand over her mouth to prevent that horrific threat from going any further.
"Something a little cleaner." She glared at me. "Please." She rolled her eyes dramatically and nodded. I removed my hand and she thought for a quick moment.
"I will kill you so hard you die of death." She looked proud of that statement, and Charlie gave a defiant roar that put actual meaning behind that ridiculous threat. If I was Pitch, I would be terrified.
Pitch just smirked. "Oh, come on. I come in peace." That's pretty hard to believe with an army behind you. "I came to bargain." Pitch turned to Tooth. "If you give me the girl now, I promise to make the Guardians' death quick and painless. If you don't give me her, you will die all the same, but it will be much more painful." Pitch flashed his sharp teeth. "It will be just like the Dark Ages, except this time, I win. Though, my victory will be faster if I don't have to fight her." Pitch gazed to Maxie nonchalantly. "Just give me little miss Mother Nature and we can all be happy." She's Mother Nature! That explains how she made Charlie, but what are her other powers?
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Maxie freeze in shock. She was staring at the ground, eyes wide. She's going to be hard to protect like this. "Good news, Maxie! You aren't the Cloud Queen after all." I laughed, and after the moment it took to click with her, she started to laugh, too.
"You obviously don't know me very well, Pitch." Maxie stood up straight, showing no signs of fear to the Nightmare King. "People think because I'm small, that I'm weak, that I won't put up a fight. People like you actually. But I swear, even if I'm fighting a losing battle, it will be the hardest fight in your life. I don't give up to make things easier. If you fight me, you better know exactly what you're up against." Pitch's face showed utter shock. That is the first time I've ever seen Pitch caught completely off guard. Tooth looked at Maxie, then stood right next to her.
"You're right Pitch. This won't be a repeat of the Dark Ages. I will not let you kill them." Tooth said that with such conviction that even the Nightmares scurried away from her a little bit. She sounded kind of motherly. "I will not give you Maxie." Tooth seemed to have calmed down, but I could see the unimaginable grief and anger in her eyes. Like a grizzly bear mother and her cubs. Pitch had gotten himself in a very dangerous situation.
"Fine then." Pitch growled. "When you leave, Ahti, take all the Nightmares. But leave a dozen or so of our special ones. That's all we need to take all the Guardians." The mysterious man named Ahti just nodded, and walking with at least a hundred of the dark horses, disappeared into the shadows, leaving Pitch and twelve Nightmares glaring at us.
"Three times these couldn't take me and Maxie a couple of days ago! What makes you think these will be any better?" I yelled. Pitch's confidence was starting to set me on edge.
He just smirked. "Nightmares. Attack." Four of Pitch's minions charged each of us. I quickly shot icicles toward the nearest horse, but it didn't disintegrate like normal. It continued to charge me as if there wasn't a sharp piece of frozen ice in its neck. What the!? I called the wind to lift me above the Nightmare's range. Looking to Tooth and Maxie, I could see they were having the same problems I was. Tooth's wings were doing little to no harm and Maxie was throwing snowballs at the Nightmares, just making them angry.
"Maxie, the snowballs don't work this time! Try something else." She stopped and looked at me, then pulled something out of her belt uncertainly. I saw a black dagger in her hand. She held it awkwardly while a Nightmare approached from behind, ready to attack. "Maxie! No!" I called the wind, but I would be to late. The dark horse reared up on its hind legs, ready to smash down and crush her. Its front hooves started to descend, but would never reach their target. Something white streaked across the clearing and collided with the horse. Charlie and the horse went rolling and Charlie dug his razor sharp claws through the horse. It collapsed into wet black sand. I was so focused on Maxie and Tooth that I didn't notice my own fight.
Charlie looked up and lunged. He clawed through a Nightmare behind me. "Pay attention." Charlie growled. I returned to my own fight with the reassuring knowledge that he would protect Maxie and Tooth. I dodged flying hooves and leaps and swung out with my staff when I could. I had just managed to destroy the last Nightmare when I heard Bunny, Sandy, and North approaching. I turned to them, relieved to be fighting fairly. Now that they were here we could help Tooth and Maxie.
I was turning to go and help Maxie when suddenly; a searing pain appeared in my previously injured hand, making me drop my staff. I heard Maxie scream behind me. I turned and saw her on her hands and knees, eyes wide with pure agony. " Did you honestly think that was a normal arrow," Pitch said mockingly.
(Maxie)
It hurt so much; it was almost impossible to breath. It felt like thousands of white-hot drills burrowing into my lower back. I could only hold myself up for a moment, then fell on to my hands and knees. "Did you honestly think that was a normal arrow? It was a normal arrow. A normal Nightmare Sand arrow. Any of the black sand that was left in you is in my control. I can make it hurt, but it won't physically harm you, but I bet it does hurt a lot, doesn't it?" I looked up to him and scowled. I wouldn't give him the pleasure of answering. I saw anger bloom in his eyes. He concentrated for a moment, and the pain grew tenfold. I collapsed, writhing in agony, but I still wasn't going to answer.
"You are worthless." He answered my silence. "I don't see why the Guardians have done this much with you. You can't do anything special. Well, it doesn't matter anyway. You'll be dead soon." Was I really worthless to the Guardians? Am I any use to them at all? Pitch reached down and grabbed the back of my neck. He lifted me into the air so I was eye level with him.
"Pitch." I saw North, Bunny, Sandy, and Tooth move toward Pitch threateningly.
"Nope. Not a move from the Guardians or I make the pain unbearable for both of them. It already is you idiots. Just get him. I wanted to say, but I couldn't speak. I could see their internal dilemma written on their face. Save me but risk hurting both Jack and I, or let Pitch kill me and get Jack. I thrashed, trying to tell them to fight Pitch and take a risk. I managed to kick Pitch in the stomach. He flinched and bent over slightly. "Watch it brat!" The pain flared once more and I went rigid.
Pitch grabbed my throat, cutting off my air. He's going to kill me! He really is going to kill me. The Guardians are too confused to do anything. It hurt not being able to breathe. I couldn't talk. Let me go! Help! Let me go! Pure panic raced through my veins. I saw Charlie make a move toward Pitch, but the Nightmare King noticed, and the pain rose far above my limits. Not both at once! I started to kick and flail. Dark dots blotted out parts of my vision. I have to survive. I grabbed his wrist that held me in the air. He yowled suddenly in pain and anger.
I realized distantly that I had somehow burnt him. I looked at my hands and saw that there was fire dancing in them. I smothered them in the dirt. Jack and the other Guardians appeared at my side, and then I noticed someone was speaking "-and you need to breathe. Come on Maxie." I did what the voice said, and found I did feel better. I did it again and again until my thoughts were clear.
"Did I just set my hands on fire? Shouldn't I be burnt?" I asked when I found my voice again. I was trembling all over from the pain, and I noticed Jack's hand shaking slightly. North looked at me and shrugged, then started speaking with his thick Russian accent.
"I think that is one of your powers. I think you have the ability to control some of the elements, maybe even all five." I was puzzled.
"I thought there were only four; earth, air, fire, and water."
"But you forget the fifth element. It is life, an element in its own right. It is how Charlie was able to fight next to you now, and how you have the power to change him. You might have other powers as a spirit, but I haven't seen anything yet." So I really am Mother Nature. I didn't realize I said that aloud until everybody nodded.
Tooth fluttered over to where I dropped my dagger, then picked it up and brought it back to me. "You'll need Balance." She handed the black dagger to me.
"I know I'm a little out of it, but I am still not that much of a klutz." Tooth laughed.
"No Maxie. The previous Mother Nature called the dagger Balance." I looked at Balance, then sheathed it.
"It fits its name rather well." With that everybody went silent. Tooth looked ready to cry again. This is so awkward. It's even the worst kind of awkward; the sad kind. With that Sandy made a couple of symbols above his head.
"Yes, it is about time we returned to the Pole," Tooth said. With that everybody got up. Bunnymund reached down to pick me up, but I snapped at him. "I've got it." With a little nudging from Charlie, I struggled to my feet. I took one step forward and almost ended up on the ground again.
Without a word, Bunnymund stood next to me, letting me lean on him. He was probably taking more of my weight than I was. We walked to North's sleigh and took off in silence. Then I remembered something from earlier.
Am I really worthless? Am I really a burden to the Guardians? A different part of me answered. The Guardians need you. Pitch wouldn't have bothered with you if you had been as worthless as he says you are. I smiled and nodded to myself. Of course that was Pitch's plan. He was trying to make me believe lies. But if they're lies, why does some part of you believe him?
A/N: I am so sorry for the extremely late update. School kind of snuck up and slapped me right across the face. I have biology this semester, so that means chapter outlines and article summaries and … stuff. I will try to update on a weekly basis and possibly extra chapters on the weekends. Thanks for reviewing to the people that did, it made me so happy!