Skyler P.O.V.
Skyler…
Skyler…
Skyler…you must listen to me…
What…? Who's talking to me?
A friend…
Where are you…?
Skyler, I need you to listen carefully to what I am about to tell you…it is vital for you to know...
Alright…
Dark times are coming; Pitch is growing stronger, and he will corrupt the ones you hold dearest. But know that among them the key to your memory is being hidden. ..
You mean…someone's keeping something from me?
But when you remember 'that night'… know that you might not accept what you see, once you know the truth…or the one who kept it from you.
Why wouldn't I…?
Be careful, Skyler, for there will be a time where you will have to choose between the ones you love and the fate of this world.
Why do I have to choose—?
My time is running out, farewell, Skyler, and good luck.
Wait, I don't—!
~X~X~X~X~
My eyes snapped open as I hugged myself closer and curled into a ball as I felt a sudden chill. I heard small squeaking noises above me; I looked up and saw Baby Tooth hovering above my head, looking down at me curiously, her head tilted to the side.
"Baby Tooth…?"I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I looked around to see I was back in my room on top of my bed. My eyebrows knit with confusion for a moment, and then I scowled angrily when I remembered what had happened.
"Why that son of a…" I jumped out of bed and ran over to the door, Baby Tooth following me, I grabbed the door knob and tried to yank the door open, but it didn't budge.
I tried turning the knob a few times but it was hopeless. It was locked. "Rrrrgh!" I growled, hitting my fist against the door, and bumping my forehead against it. "I swear when I get my hands on him; I'm going to melt him down, freeze him again and turn him into shaved ice…!" my eyes flicked towards the windows and I thought for a second. I snapped my fingers, "Wait! Jack said the windows were unlocked…!" I ran over to the windows.
But they were locked too. I gripped my head and growled/screamed at the ceiling.
I tried breaking down the door and the windows, but they seemed to have some sort of magic protection to keep me from getting out…
Or anything getting in.
I growled in frustration, and flopped on the floor, my head buried in my knees. Baby Tooth squeaked at me; telling me to calm down. I sighed again and lifted my head back, and leaned against the wall.
Why are they doing this? I can fight! I'm not just a human anymore! Jack and the others should know this! Besides…the Man in the Moon said they needed my help…so why would they…?
Wait…
I turned to the window to see the Moon just making its way up for dusk.
I slowly walked up to the window, Baby Tooth squeaked a couple times in question, asking what I was doing, but I ignored her inquiry, and stared out the glass. I pressed my hand against it and looked up pleadingly.
'You needed me to help them. But the locked me in here, to keep me from the battle…why did you tell them to train me if they're just going to keep me from what I have to do? Am I just going to be the weak and helpless human that watches from the sidelines again?' I asked silently.
I waited a moment or two for a response.
But still; no response came.
I sighed, as my hand slid from the cold glass leaving a handprint of condensation behind, as turned my back to the window. I was about to try again with the door when a soft voice whispered in my ear.
They did it to protect you. But it is they who need protecting the most…
It said. I turned back around and looked out the window, he…he just…"W-what can I do…?" I stuttered slightly as I went to the window again.
Go to them.
"But I can't get out of here!" I said, slumping my head against the glass. "Besides I might be too late…and Jamie…" I closed my eyes and my brow furrowed at the thought.
I heard a soft chuckle.
He is fine. They all are…for now.
Relief washed over me at the news, and I let go of the breath I didn't notice I was holding in.
And there are doors in places where you'd least expect them, Skyler. Look to the ground, and then you'll see. But you must hurry; darkness is settling fast. And he is strongest after dark…
…Good luck my young Guardian.
And then there was silence. Nothing followed after.
I pondered his words, "Doors in many places…look to the ground… Look to the ground…?*gasp*
"Look to the ground! Bunnymund's tunnels!" I clapped my hands together in excitement. I looked to my bedside, grabbing my swords and fastening them to my belt. I was about to stomp the ground when Baby Tooth flew in my face, squeaking incessantly at me in an angry tone.
She was scolding me; telling me Jack told her to watch me, and make sure I was safe. I raised an un-amused eyebrow and rolled my eyes. I heard her saying 'don't sass me!' as I turned around towards my large wardrobe. I opened it and pulled out the final part of my outfit and put it on.
It was a white Assassins Creed style jacket, that had the peaked hood and everything, and it also had wing space for me to fly around. I didn't put it on during the ceremony because I was only going to wear it for battle, and now was the time. I fastened the belt and straightened out the collar.
The small Tooth Fairy was still squeaking/scolding me until I turned to her, "You coming with me?" she squeaked and looked at me incredulously, I raised an eyebrow, "Hey; Jack said to watch me and to make sure I was safe. I didn't hear you say anything about him telling you to make sure I don't leave." I said. Baby Tooth was about to protest, but paused, her small mouth opening and closing trying to find an answer, until she gave in.
I smirked, "One of my many talents; finding loop-holes." I said jokingly, I stomped my foot against the wood floor and, thankfully, a tunnel appeared. They didn't 'tunnel-proof' the floor, Ha-ha!
I turned to Baby Tooth, "You sure you don't wanna come?" she hesitated, I smirked, "You wouldn't want Jack upset would you?" her head shot of with shock and finally gave in.
I smirked, works every time… "'Kay, let's go!" I pulled my hood over my head, grabbed the little fairy and jumped into the tunnel.
"TO BURGESS! Time to kick some Nightmare butt! WOOT!" I screamed down the tunnel as it closed behind me.
Baby Tooth squeaked something.
"No! I will NOT be the Guardian of Holes!" I snapped.
She squeaked again.
"Just be quiet Tweety! That isn't my center! Sheesh!"
~X~X~X~
Jack P.O.V.
We left Skyler behind and took the sleigh to Burgess. I was beginning to wonder if it was a good idea to leave her. I wonder how Baby Tooth's handling her rampage…
I shook my head, ugh! Stop being the paranoid older brother, Jack… I scolded myself while rubbing my face stressfully. Tooth was right; I really was like her older brother…
…Probably because she reminded me so much of my sister…
…In some ways; aside from her attitude. If she has a center, she might as well be the Guardian of Sarcasm…or better fitting; The Guardian of Sass.
I smirked to myself, maybe when we get back, I'll tease her about it.
We landed in the woods near my home, and I immediately jumped out of the sleigh, "Alright, spread out and look for Jamie or Pitch. I'll be here looking for any Nightmares that might be lingering." North said, and with that I took off without notice, "Jack, wait—!" Tooth called after me, she flew to my side, keeping up with my pace, "Where are you going?" "I'm going to see if Jamie's home." I said, not looking her in the eye, "Jack, he might not be there—" "I know, but this could be some set up Pitch made in order to lure Skyler out here." I said seriously.
Tooth and I flew over several snow covered rooftops and parks until we made it to Jamie's house. I flew up to his window, and shielded my eyes to get a better look into his room, but it was too dark to see. I pushed his window open and jumped through the windowsill into his room.
Tooth followed quickly after and gasped at the sight of the room.
Everything was torn apart. His bed sheets were shredded, along with his pillows which had feathers strewn everywhere. His bookshelf was thrown off the wall, the books themselves were also shredded, and everything in all was in complete disarray. "Oh no…" Tooth gasped.
I walked slowly around his shredded bed and I stepped on something with a loud crunch, I looked down to see it was a piece of paper; I picked it up and an overwhelming sick feeling set into the pit of my stomach.
It was the picture Jamie drew from two years ago when I gave him that crazy sled ride. But it was shredded with claw marks that were tracked with black sand. My hand shook as I gripped the ruined picture. Tooth put one hand on my shoulder and the other gripped my free hand, "I'm so sorry, Jack…" she said. I continued to stare at the picture and I finally set it down, squeezing Tooth's hand in return.
"I should have been here…" I murmured. Tooth laced her fingers in mine and looked down sadly; it was all too much to take in.
Suddenly, I heard voices coming closer, and then the door opened and the light clicked on, I tensed instinctively.
But relaxed when I saw it was just Jamie's mother followed by his father.
Jamie's mom bit her lip and hugged her arms tightly, her husband rubbing her shoulders comfortingly. She took a shaky breath and rubbed her eyes from under her glasses, "Just…Why would they take him…? I should have been here…" she whimpered. She covered her mouth with her hand, and gave a suppressed sob and turned to her husband as he wrapped her in his arms around her; she began crying on his shoulder.
It hurt to see Jamie's parents like this, they missed him. It made me wonder…
Did my family miss me when I died…?
Then Jamie's Greyhound, Abby, trotted sullenly into the room, she slowly jumped onto his shredded bed and laid down with a low whimper.
Pitch was going to pay for this.
I touched Tooth's hand that was on my shoulder, "We should go…"
Swoosh!
My head snapped towards the window, as did Abby's, "What was that?" Tooth asked as I ran over to the window. My eyes narrowed, as I saw a Nightmare run off. I clutched my staff and I jumped out the windowsill, flying after it, Tooth flying after me.
I'll get you Pitch…
Pitch P.O.V.
I waited in the clearing, the cold air not fazing me in the slightest. They came, but they didn't come with the girl. Of course, they'd keep her far from danger…
Especially Frost. It seems he's taken a liking for the little human girl; making sure she was safe and sound, and seemed to be fretting over her constantly like an older brother.
Of course…
But I will change that soon…
"Master…" a hoarse voice came from the shadows, my thoughts were interrupted, I rolled my eyes as I recognized the voice, and sighed irritably, "Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to sneak up on people, Krampus?" I said flatly, the satyr-like creature in the shadows bowed apologetically, his dead eyes glinting with suppressed fear, "My apologies…but I have come to inform you the Frost boy is following your Nightmare, along with the Fairy…"
I paused for a moment and waved my hand, "You are dismissed…" Krampus nodded again and disappeared into the shadows, his tail swishing behind him.
So Jack brought company with him…no matter, the more the merrier; is it not?
So, a few readers have asked if Skyler and Jack are going to fall in love, yadda, yadda, yadda. But just to set the record straight; I don't know yet. I'm entertaining the thought, But then again, some of my readers wouldn't like that. I personally like the idea to some extent, but I fear if I pair them up...then people will lose interest in this story. That's just how the fandom works...sometimes. Yes, my free will with this story is limited. But, no, they're not going to get paired up until further notice...It mostly depends on whether or not if you think Skyler is good enough for Jack... ...maybe.
~VPF