A loud crash woke Elsie with a start. She looked around wildly startled and now wide awake. Jingle was cowering next to her hiding under the covers. There was another loud crash followed by the sound of shouting that brought her attention outside of the sleeping chamber.

She leaped out of bed and formed her shadow claws. She didn't want to believe that Morticia's monsters had gotten here so fast. She dashed out of the chamber and down the pathway, ready for a fight, ready for the horrid monsters to attack. When she reached the main chamber she was greeted with a sight she wasn't ready for.
Pitch Black was evaporating in and out of shadows as fast as he could in an attempt to dodge the attacks of Tooth, Bunny, Sandy, Jack, North and Smith. For a minute she watched in confusion, until one of Bunny's boomerang's knocked Pitched off his feet.

"What the hell is going on here?" She shouted stepping in.
Everyone froze looking at her.

Tooth rushed over. "Are you hurt? What happened? What did he touch?" She fussed over her as if she were an injured animal, turning this way and that way checking her for injuries before wrapping her in a tight hug. "It's going to be okay now."

Elsie tried to pry herself out of the older woman's arms. "What are you talking about, I'm fine."

Tooth stood back. "What did Pitch try to do?" She asked worriedly still looking her over.

Elsie looked absolutely confused. "What do you mean? He hasn't done anything."

Now it was Tooth's turn to look confused. "One of my fairies told me that she saw Pitch grab you and take you to his sleeping chamber."

It took Elsie a second to understand hat she was talking about and blushed as she realized how it must of looked to someone else.
"No no, it was nothing like that, let me explain. Last night when I was stargazing I went to explore by the blue tower. I came across Pitch over there." She pointed to the dark blue structure of canisters. "It's also where I found this." She took the canister of her younger self out of her pocket.

Tooth took it and looked at the small painted face, sadness overcoming her eyes. "I remember her, it was her first tooth. My fairies saw HIM running away with her. When Sandy and I caught him she was nowhere to be found." Her voice turned dark with condemnation, she turned on him. "Why don't you tell everyone what you did to her! You turned her into a fearling didn't you? DIDN'T YOU!"

"Tooth Stop!" Elsie said gripping her wrists. "Pitch didn't hurt Cheryl."

Tooth turned astounded. "How...how do you know her name?"

"Because she's me, or rather I'm her."

Tooth looked an equal amount of confused and astounded.

"Pitch was there yes, but only doing his job and spreading nightmares. From what I remember I think it was my little brother Alex who knocked over an oil lamp on a table by his bed. When I had awoken the fire was already burning down the house, it was too late for Alex and Rose. That's how I got my birthmarks, they're really burn marks." She removed her right glove showing Tooth and the other guardians who were listening intently. "Pitch was caught in the fire too. He saw me and rescued me. He brought me to the house of my adoptive parents."
For a moment no one did anything.

Jack took a step towards her. the look on his face showing his disbelief. "Elsie, why didn't you tell me any of this?"

"Because I didn't remember. I was barely two when it all happened. But you remember how I told you about my nightmares? Of fire? They weren't just nightmares, they were forgotten memories trying to be remembered."

Jack looked at her intently before taking the canister from Tooth. He darted away before returning after a moment with Elsie's current canister. He looked closely at the painted faces, comparing their features. The first of course was very young and her hair was a different color, but sure enough both had the same vibrant green eyes and graceful smile. Jack knew he'd recognize her face anywhere. He handed the canister back.
"It is you."

Elsie nodded. "I was really in a state of shock when I remembered everything. I kinda freaked out and Pitch was just trying to get me to calm down."

The guardians all looked to Elsie, then to Pitch, then back to Elsie.

"Well then that does change things doesn't it." Came an unfamiliar voice from behind them. They all turned in surprise, as was the norm that early day, to see a tall woman, about Elsie's height, with long brown hair, bright yellow eyes and olive tanned skin that matched rather well with her grass green dress.

Elsie was even more surprised to see the horned animal standing beside her.
"Chirin!" She cried and rushed to wrap he arms around him. He to began nuzzling her head and neck, joyful to be reunited with his master. "I thought I'd lost you." She murmured into his fur before turning to look at the woman. "Thank you for bringing Chirin back to me." Elsie smiled, tears in her eyes.
The woman smiled and nodded.

"Mother Nature?" North said shocked.

"Hello guardians and Pitch." She said to them.

"Nature what are you doing here?" Bunny finally asked.

"I am here to aid you in putting a stop to Morticia."

"I thought you were neutral though?"

"I am, but Morticia has upset the very balance that I protect. The attack on the pole was the final straw."

"You know about the pole?" North asked.

"I was there." She said simply surprising everyone. "I had attempted to meet up with you while you were rescuing Pitch and Smith but each time I missed you, so I headed for your workshop North. You really like your privacy, it was a difficult journey on my own. When I reached your workshop I could see from the distance that it was under attack. I had attempted to reach you and help but as I approached a group of those unnatural monsters attacked me. I thought I was in trouble when this fine ram came to my rescue." She patted the ram fondly.
Chirin stood proudly.
"He must have spotted me from at least a hundred and fifty yards."

"But how did you know we were all here?" Tooth asked.

"Chirin told me."

"You understand what he says?" Elsie asked intrigued.

Mother Nature nodded. "Chirin told me what had happened at the pole and where you were all headed. He also told me much about you Elsie, and I must say I am quite intrigued. Would you mind giving me a demonstration of your powers?"

Elsie nodded a bit unsure of herself. "Oh-uh sure." She summoned a shadow and reformed her claws around her hand.

"Fascinating." Nature said approaching to get a better look. She poked and prodded at the shadow and watched as Elsie reformed her claws into a ball, carefully picked it up and examined it further. She dropped the ball to the floor and watched as it flattened to the ground before returning to it's rightful owner, before examining Elsie's right hand.
"Very interesting the introduction of nightmare sand to human blood causes the carrier to develop the ability of shadow manipulation. Did you know about this Pitch?"

Pitch shook his head.

"Well then it looks like your the first person to survive such an experiment."

"Survive? Then you mean to say there have been others like me?" Elsie asked confused and intrigued.

Nature glanced at Pitch before returning her gaze to Elsie. "Yes and no. Others that exposed to nightmare sand were consumed by it. They were transfigured into Fearlings. But they were exposed to large quantities of sand. You must have been exposed to a very small quantity. I must admit I'm curious to know if the same thing would happen with your dreamsand Sandman under similar conditions."

Sandy looked curiously at his hands.

"But I'm getting off topic. I know that Tzar ordered you to bring together Pitch and Elsie. But there has been a change in plans. There is an eclipse coming, tomorrow at high noon. Morticia must be defeated before then." She spoke with grievous seriousness.
Shock struck them all. For days they had been trying the death spirit and just stay alive, and now they were expected to defeat her before noon tomorrow.

"But Mother Nature, how can we do this?" North asked, simply desperate to find a way to end the deadly feud.

Mother Nature looked grave. "I won't lie to you, I'm not sure. But if she's not defeated before the eclipse she will grow to powerful for anyone to defeat."
It was as if a bombshell went off. They all stared hopelessly at her.
"I can make a suggestion though." She said catching their attention and hope. "Morticia has most of her creatures still at the pole and out hunting for you. This might be the opportune time to strike back. She won't be expecting a head on attack."

Bunny looked aghast. "So you want us to just walk right into her lair for an all out attack? Your sending us into the bloody lion's den!"

Mother Nature nodded. "I understand your concern, but this is our only chance, we must take it. And you won't be going alone, I'm going as well."

North looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't think of anything. He rubbed his head, trying to soothe a migraine. Finally he sighed.
"What do we do and when?"

"It's going to take everyone's help. The guardians, Pitch, Smith and especially you Elsie."

The younger woman looked at her confused.

"I'm not completely sure either, but Tzar believes you'll play a very important role in the battle to come. As for getting there, I believe these are yours North." She gave a high pitched whistle. Eight large reindeer galloped through the air into the palace, landing in front of them. "Chirin found them not long after finding me, he's quite the tracker."

Sandy formed an image of a sleigh.

"Yes I realized that would be a problem." She turned to Elsie. "Elsie do you think you could form a sleigh out of shadow?"

"I can try." She said before raising her hands. A large pool of shadow gathered on the ground before then, it rose up and taking shape. "I don't know how long I can maintain it though." She eyed the structure warily.

Pitch turned to Jack. "Jack, try freezing it." He remembered how the young spirit's ice had reacted with his nightmare sand and hoped for the same effect.
Jack nodded, understanding his idea and approached the sleigh. He tapped his staff against the shadow structure. As it touched frost and ice began spreading from the wooden staff over the shadow, turning it a greyish black. When it was completely frozen Elsie dropped her hands, releasing her grip on the shadow. The sleigh remained where it was.

Bunny began tapping it with his foot, testing it's structural integrity. "Seems safe 'nough."

Sandy climbed in, jumping up and down on the seats, double checking. When he was finished he gave everyone a thumbs up.

"It should hold. So when do we leave?" Bunny asked.

"Immediately." Nature said. "It'll take time to get to the swamp and the sooner we leave the longer we have to deal with Morticia."

"So we just stroll into Morticia's swamp and defeat her, just like that?" Smith asked trying to keep the sarcasm from his voice.

"Basically."

North brought the reindeer over to the sleigh as everyone piled in.

"What about Chirin?" Elsie asked looking at her steed.

Sandy raised his hand in volunteer, he blew a tiny amount of dream sand over to the ram's hooves.
Chirin pawed at it cautiously. For moment nothing, but soon Chirin began rising in the air. He quickly righted himself, putting his hoofs to the ground.

"Thanks Sandy." Elsie thanked the small guardian. "Chirin to the head of the team." Chirin obliged taking center in front of the two rows of deer. Elsie climbed into the sleigh next to North. She concentrated and formed a harness and rein that linked the animals to the sleigh. She handed the reins off to North who gave them a good flick.

Chirin dashed off at full speed, lifting the sleigh into the air and forcing the deer to speed and keep up with him.
"Chirin slow down for them. You need to work together as a team!" Elsie called. Chirin gave an irritated toss of the head but slowed to the deer's pace.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

It took a good six hours to cross the ocean, North America was a dark line in the distance. Elsie turned in her seat to talk to Mother Nature. She was awkwardly sat between Pitch on one end and Jack on the other.
"Mother Nature what can we hope to expect from Morticia?"

The older woman looked a bit worried. "I'm not completely sure. I know it's going to be a hornets nest of trouble but little else. Morticia always preferred her solitude over the companionship of the living. That's why she chose the Dunwitch Swamp. There's no one around for kilometers. But that might be to our advantage, with no one around she might not put up any outer defenses."

"So we go in, find her and stop her, but how? Surely we can't be expected to kill her."

Mother Nature shook her head. "No we can't. The balance of the world would be thrown into chaos without her control over death."

"So then how do we go about stopping her?"

"I'd hoped that's where you'll come in. Tzar truly believes your the key to ending all of this. Perhaps your powers will have some adverse affect on her. Unfortunately for now all we can do is wait and see."

Elsie turned back in her seat her stomach in tight knots, a million thoughts racing through her mind.

Nature seemed to sense this. "I'm sorry that we must place so much hope and responsibility upon you. I know it isn't fair."

Elsie gave a curt nod but said nothing and continued to stare forward into the oncoming land.

After another four hours of flying the Dunwitch Swamp came into view. From the distance it looked like an enormous dark splotch that stretched for miles in every direction. As they entered it's air space they were greeted with the foul stench of swamp gas and decaying foliage.

Bunny covered his nose. "Ugh I think I'm gonna be sick."

"Keep heading forward." Mother Nature pointed. "Morticia will be directly in the center."

They kept straight, passing over dense trees both dead and alive covered in moss and vines and surrounded on all sides by murky brown, black water that belched out methane and other smelly gases. Occasionally they saw an alligator rush from the tree banks into the dark depths. Or some unknown thing would splash near the surface and sink into the shadows.

North pointed. "Look ahead."

A large grove of dead trees, that near the top grew inwards onto each other, forming a decrepit dome foundation covered in hanging moss and large colonies of fungus. What looked like a cloud of smoke or swamp gas turned into a colossal flock of vultures that circled and glided over the dome, marking the traveler's destination. The grove grew straight from the water and there was no place to land on or next to it.
Tooth pointed out a large bank of dry grass growing on a clump of dirt a few yards away. North landed the sleigh and everyone got out.

Bunny looked out at the desolate swamp, the rank dark water filled with logs and organic debris, the thick air loaded with the smell of mold and pond mud.
An adolescent alligator circled them curiously, eying them with its dragon's eyes. It's yellow speckled skin shone brightly like polished jade in the sunlight. A large snake slipped out of a hole in the bank into the water. The young gator turned and followed the easier kill.

Bunny cringed and watch the gator fatten itself on scales and meat, the water became slightly darker. "So how do we get across?"

Nature made a waving motion with her hand. The surrounding vines began writhing and falling into order, forming the base of a bridge. The surrounding logs suddenly sprang to life snapping at the moving vines, whapping them with their tails as they tumbled over one another, angry at being disturbed. One very large one in particular turned and grabbed the width of the vine bridge in it's enormous maw and began it's death rolling.
Nature cursed. The nearly finished bridge was ripped from it's roots as the alligator thrashed and snapped it's powerful jaws, tearing the once strong vines into nothing but plant matter waiting to be swallowed and decayed by the swamp.
"Damn. Looks like we're walking." She said.

Bunny looked at the creature filled water. "You can't be serious. Did you see what those things did to the bridge?"

She nodded and looked at the setting sun, then at the large reptile approaching the bank.
"Elsie have any ideas?"

"Not really?" She shook her head.

"Ive got one." Smith said drawing his gun and taking aim.

"No." Nature grabbed the muzzle and aimed it at the ground. "If you shoot the rest will go on the attack."

"Well then what in blazes do we use, harsh language?"

Chirin stepped forward passed the group to the bank's edge where he waited for the beast. The ancient alligator was nearly fifteen feet long, his clay colored armor was scarred by the many battles he'd fought for his kingdom, his left eye socket was empty from the fight with the mountain lion he'd won for dominion over the land here.
Chirin greeted the great beast by respectively pawing the ground with his hoof.
The ancient king gave a low rumble demanding an answer for their disturbance.
Chirin tossed his head motioning towards the grove of dead trees.
The elder gator gave a quick snap of his jaws demanding their business with the swamp queen.
Chirin gored the ground in answer.
The alligator slammed it's tail, growling in indignation.

"What's Chirin doing?" Elsie asked Mother Nature.

"He's trying to convince the alligator to let us pass."

Chirin tossed his head snorting, motioning at the surrounding area. Surely the ancient and wise beast had noticed that something was wrong. He turned, pointing at Mother Nature and pawing vigorously into the mud.
The king eyed Nature cautiously.
She eyed him back respectively but with a flash of something primal and much more ancient than his life.
The wise king gave one more low rumble before respectively retreating into the water. He turned to his people and emanated a series bubbling bellows that vibrated across surface. Below the water the message traveled even farther and was made perfectly clear, these strangers were not to be touched. The alligators retreated clearing the path. The king gave one more below before withdrawing to his homeland.

"The ways clear now." Nature said. "They'll leave us in peace." She approached the water.
The others following.
Chirin was first to step into the swamp, the water coming up to his knees.
Nature followed second. The others were a bit hesitant, all of them looking at the pulpy soup with detest. But one by one they entered, each grimacing as the lukewarm water invaded their shoes as they walked across the unstable floor, except Tooth and Sandy who were able to glide over. Slowly they made their way to the grove and stepped out of the water. A slow air moved out from the cavern of trees carrying with it the terrible wet stench of death.

Tooth looked worriedly forward. "What if...what if we're no match for Morticia. I mean what if we fail?"
Jack gripped her hand reassuringly.
She smiled warmly at her love.

"Oi don't worry Tooth, we still have hope." Bunny said much more confidently than he felt.

"And," North began. "If worst comes to worst, we'll use this." He pulled out a snow globe. "Live to fight another day."

Nature looked grim though. "I wish it were that simple. We must finish this today."