Darkness could be seen swirling and thriving within a hidden maze of caves that formed deep into a mountainside. Shadows crawled along the walls of the cave blocking out any weak streaks of sunlight. Howling winds passed through and encircled the caves; water dripped from the moss-covered ceilings onto the dirt-covered ground below. A pair of sinister yellow eyes pierced through the very heart of the darkness and a dark mass formed and silently shifted around the cave creating a barely visible outline of a tall and slender man.
The man moved around aimlessly. As he moved he left a trail of black sand that fell down from his shoulders and cloak. From those fallen sand; several dark horse-like creatures formed. Their glowing yellow eyes were just as sinister and evil. The sound of heavy wings alerted the shadows of an intruder. The shadow man headed towards one of the many entrances of the cave. His mouth curved up into an ominous smile, showing off a set of sharp jaggedteeth.
"It's been awhile, old friend. Nearly 1000 years now, hasn't it?" the shadowed man said in a deep tone that was not at all friendly.
"Kozmotis Pitchiner" a voice replied back in greeting. Its tone dark and just as unwelcoming.
The shadowed man glared at his unwanted guest, his yellow eyes glowing angrily. "Don't you dare call me that again. That name is a relic of the past. I am known as Pitch Black now" Pitch hissed out.
His guest didn't speak but instead unfolded his black bat-like wings and flew into the cave; Pitch followed the intruder until they both stopped in the centre of the cave. In the centre there was a black globe covered in bright lights, creating a stark contrast to the seemingly impenetrable darkness. Pitch and his Nightmares surrounded the winged man who was staring absentmindedly at the glowing globe not at all interested in it.
"Why did you come here?" questioned Pitch. After receiving no reply or a sign of acknowledgement he growled and formed a death scythe with his nightmare sand.
"Put the scythe down, Pitch. I'm not here to fight you."
Pitch ignored him and walked behind the other man with his scythe in hand. "Why did you come here?" Pitch said more forcefully this time.
"I came here because I need your assistance in getting rid of a pest. "
The winged man turned to face the Nightmare King who had his brows furrowed.
"Tell me Pitch Black. Do you by any chance know anything about the Guardian of Fun? The kid who was chosen 5 years ago by the Man-In-The-Moon?
Pitch stopped his approach abruptly and his scythe disintegrated back into black sand. A low growl erupted from Pitch's throat as his jagged teeth gnashed together in fury. Flashbacks of being defeated and humiliated by that winter loving spirit along with the other Guardians 5 years ago came rushing back to him; the Nightmare King's body began to shake in barely contained fury.
"Jack Frost" Pitch spat out venomously. The intruder smiled.
"Yes. That's the one" The intruder said. Pitch remained silent.
"Is he the pest you spoke of?" Pitch finally managed to seethe out. His fury momentarily subsiding. The winged man nodded. "Do tell" Pitch urged the other man.
"I'm afraid it's quite a boring story. To put it simply, Jack Frost has stolen something that is mine."
Pitch couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at this. "He stole something that was yours? Hmph. That doesn't sound like something any member of the goody-two-shoed Guardians would do" Pitch said, sarcasm lacing his words.
"He stole something that was mine; I just want it back. Its that simple" said the man.
"And you want my help?" Pitch questioned.
"You have unsettled matters with Jack Frost and his friends don't you?" the man didn't wait to hear Pitch confirm an answer "I have a plan to bring not only Jack Frost to his knees but the rest of the Guardians too". At hearing this Pitch's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Really now?"
The winged man glared. He could tell that Pitch was not convinced. "I've found out Jack Frost's weakness and also...what he fears the most" he stated matter of factly.
Pitch's eyes widened for several seconds. After a moment Pitch composed himself and looked at the other man with eyes that still held suspicion. "I'm not convinced. But I am entertained by the idea that Jack Frost has something he fears". Pitch took a couple steps to the side and motioned for the other man to follow him and head deeper into the cave. Both men shared a cruel smile.
"Tell me what you know…...Eros". Pitch sneered.
'CRASH'
The loud noise echoed off the walls in one of the rooms in the Tooth Palace. Concerned squeaks followed as a group of mini fairies flew to locate the sound of the crash. Toothiana following right behind them. The Fairies and their Queen arrived at the nursery room where they found Jack bent over picking up a few heavy looking glass bottles.
"Jack! Are you ok?" Tooth asked concerned as she flew towards her lover. Jack stood up and laughed a bit awkwardly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry didn't mean to scare you guys" he said sheepishly. The mini fairies sighed in relief that Jack was all right and they quickly left to go back to work leaving Jack and Tooth in the nursery together. Tooth looked at Jack and saw that he was holding bottles of Sandy's dream sand. The sand was a gift from Sandy. Toys made by North and his Yetis were everywhere in the room and were piled high enough to reach the ceiling. There were also five toy boxes overbrimming with playthings. They were all gifts from North. "If the child is going to be anything like Jack Frost then we should take care in making sure the baby never gets bored" was the old Russian's excuse as he helped the Yetis unload a sleigh full of toys and goodies a few days ago.
Bunnymund wasn't a toy maker but he was a great painter. As a gift, Bunnymund spent an entire week without sleep in order to paint both the playroom and the baby's nursery. He painted the playroom with vibrant shades of colour. And for the nursery; Bunnymund had painted all four seasons along the four walls. Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. Tooth had been in awe at Bunnymund's masterpiece when he was finished. Even Jack seemed impressed. "Not bad. Not bad at all Cottontail" Jack had said. To anyone else it wouldn't have meant much but to Bunny; hearing Jack say something like that meant a lot to him. Not that he would ever admit to Jack though.
Sandy had given the couple a few bottles containing dream sand for when the baby comes. If the baby ever woke up in the middle of the night all Jack and Tooth needed to do was sprinkle some dream sand on the baby's forehead and it would fall back into peaceful slumber.
Jack Frost was currently balancing the bottles of said dream sand trying to figure out where to put it. Finally setting it on top of a small cabinet he let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, there we go. All done. Tooth! Come look!" Jack called.
Both Jack and Tooth stood side by side by the doorframe inspecting the layout of the new nursery. "Oh Jack" Tooth sighed happily. "Its perfect". Jack nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah it is" he pulled Tooth to his side and pressed a tender kiss to the crown of her head. "I hope the baby likes it," he pondered out loud. Tooth giggled in response "I'm sure, she will".
Jack raised an amused eyebrow "she? You think it's a girl?" he asked with a light laugh. The two lovers began walking away from the nursery heading towards their bedroom. "Yep, my motherly instincts tell me so" Tooth boasted with pride. Jack couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'll hold you to that then" Jack said giving her a peck on the cheek before belly flopping onto their bed and sinking into the soft mattress. "Ugh, I'm exhausted" he mumbled face down in the pillows. "Well, you have been cleaning and preparing both the nursery and play-room all day. Of course you'd be exhausted," Tooth said. She too lied down on the pillow. Jack wasted no time in gathering her into his arms and cuddling her. "Who would have thought you'd be such a perfectionist? I thought you were only snowballs and fun times?" Tooth said laughing at Jack's pouting face.
"Hey! I am snowballs and fun times. I just want to make sure that we're well prepared for the arrival of our little one, that's all" Jack said in defence. Tooth gave him a tender smile and kissed him lovingly "Our child is lucky to have a father like you" Tooth whispered against his lips. Jack smiled and returned the kiss "Not as lucky as to have you as the mother" he whispered back nuzzling his nose against her neck. Jack started peppering Tooth's neck with feather light kisses and running his hands across her feathers. "I'll be gone for a few days Tooth. You think you'll be alright?" he said.
"Jack, we've had this conversation before. I'll be fine." Tooth insisted. Jack laughed pleasantly right next to her ear. "I know, I know. Just double checking." And with that he continued his kisses down to her collarbone, making sure to leave quite a few love bites and hickeys so she would have something to remember him by for the next few days. 'Hmmm better leave a few more just in case they don't last till I get back' Jack thought to himself mischievously.
Bored. Tooth was extremely bored. Which was a rarity considering the fact that she normally didn't even have time to rest, always barking out orders at her mini fairies and telling them to collect teeth. But today was one of those rare days when no child seemed to lose their teeth. It didn't happen often but that doesn't mean it never happened.
On rare days like these Jack would normally take Tooth out for some fresh air and go visit Jamie and his friends in Burgess. But the Guardian of Fun was currently headed towards the northern hemisphere to spread winter and snow to the countries there. 'Christmas will be here soon' Tooth thought to herself as she began to quietly hum some holiday season tunes.
All of a sudden a group of her mini fairies came flying past and started squeaking at her. "What is it?" Tooth asked. Baby Tooth who was in front of the group made a sign for the others to quiet down so that she could talk to their Queen.
"Oh, a visitor?" Tooth asked in mild surprise. The mini fairies nodded and pointed towards one of the doors to the Tooth palace, indicating that the visitor was waiting outside.
'That's weird who could it possibly be. It couldn't be North, he's busy at the pole. Maybe it's Bunny or Sandy?' Tooth thought mentally crossing out a list of potential visitors.
Opening the giant palace doors, Tooth was greeted with a bouquet of red roses and a warm dazzling smile.
"Hello, Miss Toothiana".
The drama bomb has been activated. I repeat. The drama bomb has been activated. Please take cover. Please take cover.
Sorry for the wait you guys! I'll try and get the next chapter out faster than I did for this one.
R&R please and thank you!
