~Chapter 14~

Pitch watched from a distance as Bunnymund began to ground up some leaves and lightly spread it over Ember's wounds. He poured some of the magical potions down her throat, and waited for any signs of life. His face was grave, he had used some of the most powerful healing potions and herbs that the Pooka's knew about. But nothing was working. Bunnymund gave Pitch a grave look and was about to shake his head when he saw something move in the corner of his eye.

They both jumped as Ember's chest began to slightly move again. Though it was very slight, Ember was breathing again. Bunnymund checked her heart beat once more to be sure and cried out in joy when he heard a faint heartbeat. Pitch quickly wiped his eyes before the Pooka would notice that tears of joy had actually escaped him. Pitch walked over to Ember's side and lightly grabbed her hand. It was still colder than ice itself. But she was alive, she was actually alive.

"Well Pooka, it seems I owe you one." Pitch smirked. He didn't like owing anyone anything, but this seemed to be an acceptation.

Bunnymund eye'd Pitch for a moment, but then he just smiled. "She should wake by tomorrow. But until then I need to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't need any more medicine." Bunnymund informed Pitch.

Pitch didn't like the idea of waiting around in a Guardian infested area, and something else was bothering him too. Ember had only wanted a family, and the Guardians could easily give that to her without so much danger involved. She would be safer here with them than she would be with him. So he made up his mind and squeezed Ember's hand one last time.

"When she wakes, tell her she has a choice. If she wishes to live a safer life with you Guardians, tell her she may. I don't want to endanger her life anymore." Pitch instructed. Bunnymund looked perplexed at Pitch, it was not like the Boogeyman to give someone a choice.

Pitch disappeared back into the shadows before Bunnymund could get out a word. Bunnymund looked down at Ember and wondered how she might react to Pitch's news. He liked the idea of Ember becoming a Guardian, she was just a sweet young girl who wanted a family as far as he knew. She was rather strong to, hopefully this wound would not leave any permanent damage.

But he would have to tell the others later. Right now he had to make some more medicine so that she continued to heal as fast as she could. He could already tell Ember's breathing was slowly becoming stronger by the minute. He added some more herb paste to Embers wound and let her rest for a while.

"Mates I have some good news." Bunnymund announced as he hopped into the living room where everyone else was patiently waiting.

"How is Ember?" North instantly asked.

"I managed to revive her, but her heart beat is still faint. Though she is already growing stronger. She is a lot tougher than all of us could have imagined." Bunnymund replied as he began to warm his feet by the fire.

"Where is Pitch at?" Toothina inquired, she didn't really like the idea of the Boogeyman being in one of their hide outs.

"Ah! Now there is the second part of my news. As soon as Ember began to breathe again and I assured that she was alive, he told me something strange. He said to tell Ember once she woke up that she has a choice. Either she can stay with us, and live a peaceful life. Or she can go back to him. But it's up to her." Bunnymund explained.

Jack seemed to perk up a little bit at the news that Ember might be staying with them. But why would she? After all he was half the reason why Ember is wounded and died for a while.

"Wait. Do you mean Pitch... the Pitch Black gave someone a choice like that?" North marveled at this news. He couldn't believe that Pitch even had feelings.

"Yea, but will she choose to stay or not?" Jack remarked. All the Guardians seemed to think about this for a while, no one really knew that much about Ember or how she would react to the news. But maybe they could persuade her to stay...

"I'm not sure who would want to stay with such a monster, but I guess Ember would." Bunnymund shrugged. "I guess we will just have to wait and find out wont we?"

"Lets not pressure her though, it is her choice after all." Toothina added with a slight smile as she joined Bunnymund by the fire.

"As long as she is happy." Jack mumbled. They were all silent then, pondering what might happen when Ember awoke.

The next day the Guardians decided to have a small meting about new ways to please the kids of the world. Pitch and Ember had actually caused more damage than they originally thought they had. Sandy decided that he would start giving more specific dreams about the Guardians. North would try to create more advanced toys for the children, and Bunnymund would begin to make chocolate eggs for the children. Toothina would allow herself to be seen once in a wile to keep the children's belief up, and Jack would start having more snow days. It was the least they could all do to keep Pitch from becoming too powerful.

Right as they finished their meeting a yeti burst into the room with an urgent message. He shouted something inaudible to the Guardians, but only North understood. His eyes got wide and frantic.

"Bunnymund, Ember has woken up!" North exclaimed. Everyone's eyes got just as wide as Norths. Bunnymund and the others raced into Ember's room to find her sitting up looking confused. She jumped when she saw them all racing into her rooms with cheerful smiles on their face.

"Hello mate, how you feeling?" Bunnymund asked as he eyed Ember's wounds.

"F-Fine... What happened? Where is Pitch?" Ember stammered as she put a hand to her head. This was all giving her a raging headache.

"You were seriously injured, and died momentarily. But don't worry, your alive now." Bunnymund explained. "Pitch left after he was sure you were alive and alright. He left a message though. He gave you a choice that you may stay here and live with us, or you can go back to him where you are bound to be in danger again. You don't have to answer right away, but just know that you are always welcome here."

It took a while for the information to sink in, but once Ember realized what Bunnymund had said she threw the covers off of her and began to get out of bed. But Bunnymund quickly stopped her.

"You mustn't rush Ember, you will open your wound." Bunnymund ordered. But Ember refused and pushed him aside.

"I'm fine. I have to get back to Pitch!" Ember cried as she stood on her feet again. She stumbled a little but quickly regained her footing. It would make shadow travailing a bit hard, but she had to get back to Pitch.

"Ember, please consider staying with us! It would be so much safer for you." Jack pleaded as he went forward to try and help Ember. But she held up a hand for him to stop.

"Jack... I love you and all of the Guardians. I am forever in your debt, I could never thank you enough for taking care of me. I know that's all you meant to do from the beginning. But Pitch is my father... I could never live with myself if I just left him." Ember gave Jack an encouraging smile and put her hand on his shoulder. "Besides, after this I don't know how I could consider you guys anything but my family."

Ember gave everyone a smile, and they returned one. It would seem that this new found relationship would put a big damper in her plan. But she was in their debt, so it would only be fair to call it off for now.

"Ember, consider yourself a part of our family. You are always welcome here anytime you would like." North beamed as he gave her a slight hug, careful not to touch any of her wounds. Ember could feel herself tearing up a little, she never expected to have so many people except her.

"Thank you." Ember beamed as she began to slip into the shadows. "Don't be afraid to drop by!"

With that Ember was gone, leaving all the Guardians in happy spirits. She might not have chosen them, but she was now officially part of their family. Jack smiled, he was relieved that Ember was not holding any grudge against him for accidentally stabbing her. He would most defiantly stop by soon to check on her. But for now he could finally rest again. He followed the Guardians back into the living room and laid back down on one of the couches.

"I hope she doesn't open her wounds." Bunnymund mumbled as he took his place by the fire once more.

"She'll be fine." North chuckled. "I can feel it, in m-"

"In your belly, yea yea." Bunnymund interrupted as he lightly laughed. "I'm sure she will be..."