A/N: Okay, I guess you could tell from the name of the Chap that something is coming to a close. But what could it be? Only one way to find out.

I own nothing but my Oc's and this storyline (kinda).

Have I been sleeping?

I sit up in my bed, looking around my room as I groggily started to remember what had been and what was going on. Oh yes! I had been taking a nap; it had been quite the boring day. Sandy had finished all the dream giving he could take (in my opinion anyway) the night before and I nagged him into coming home and taking a rest, to which he eventually relented and did so. As soon as we entered the door of his home I remember feeling horridly tired myself from my own exercises and left for my room to get some well earned sleep.

Taking a quick look at the floor boards I saw my bed sheets and duvet on the floor, so I could tell immediately that it had not worked out well. Sighing I attempted now to get some ore sleep as I still felt a little out of sorts, but only succeeded in tossing and turning for a good while. Perhaps it was because it was a nice bright and sunny day outside that my brain was seriously registering for me to be awake right now. Yet, at the same time I decided that I just needed to quieten down my thoughts enough to rest as I felt as though I was thinking a mile a minute.

After some more time tossing and turning I finally gave up, sighing in aggravation as I grabbed a nearby book of the shelf and went outside. Though I made sure of course to be as quiet as possible so I wouldn't wake up the exhausted Sandman. Stepping outside, I couldn't help but wince at the sunlight that immediately shone in my face, burning at my eyes as I rubbed them fruitlessly.

The world outside the quiet house was also silent, as any sand animal that could make some attempt at noise did not exist whenever Sandy was focusing on a creation, or sleeping. The ocean near the house didn't give much soothing sounds o the eardrums either as it was practically dead still today. I walked on, my bare feet padding on the sand as I had forgotten and figured I didn't really need my boots. I attempted to whistle or hum to myself, but stopped when I practically heard it bounce off the sand world and come back louder than before.

Moving through the forest, I kept my paranoid wits about me. I had always had this feeling whenever I walked through the petrified woods of Sandy's world alone, as if there was somebody watching me. Shaking my head I just blamed it on a mix of paranoia and exhaustion.

Eventually the trees parted away to show a clearing that I often visited when days like this came around. In the centre of the clearing was an old tree that was of course made of sand, just like everything else here. However this one was different to me because despite the fact it still had its leaves like all the others, I could tell form just looking at the old twisted wood that it was just about ready to drop the load of fresh leaves off its branches, like an old man would a heavy load. That was different to me of course, as almost every other tree here that I had seen here was much younger in appearance to this one, their branches strong and weight withstanding, even in the harshest of weather.

As I walked up to the old tree, I gently reached out and felt the old sand made wood through my hand, and smiled. It had stormed here not that long ago, and even though I knew this tree could easily be rebuilt, I had been worried for it. After a while I sat at the base of the tree, just in-between two of the tree's largest and most twisted roots that poked out of the ground.

I started to read my book, my interest however, was for some reason waning and passing quickly with every passing page. I soon sighed again and finally admitting defeat shut the book and laid it down on the sand grass. I looked about my surroundings for a while, not sure what I could do to satisfy my unrelenting boredom. The book usually helped with this situation, but for some reason I couldn't be bothered to do the same as always again.

It was during my pondering on what I was going to do next that I finally became aware of the usual sounds of the forest and beach nearby as it had become alive again. The trees in the distance that were once petrified were now swaying and rustling in the wind. The animals were making their usual calls, chirps and whatnot. A small sand cricket even landed on my knee; probably just too visually persuade me of what was happening in case I missed it. I smiled, yawned, and shook the insect off my knee, watching it jump away until it was melded into the yellows and slight tinted greens of the sand grass.

Touching the slightly altered colour of the grass, I pondered even more to myself. Of course the Island's sudden resurrection (in both colour and sound) meant that Sandy was awake. He never did sleep for long, despite my protests. I had remembered to leave a note for him in his study, just so he wouldn't freak out right and go looking for me right?

Sometime afterwards I finally began to feel sleepy, the sounds of the rustling trees and waves of the ocean nearby eventually (finally I should say) relaxing me into a well awaited sleep. However I didn't get to sleep for long (of course!) as the sounds of someone breathing woke me up. Freaking out for some reason I turned, ready to defend myself against anyone who had creeped up on me like this. Only to stop as I realised I was about to attack Sandy, who had been watching me sleep? Okay...

"Y-you scared me, how long have you been there?" He didn't really answer, instead held up the book I was planning on reading with an amused, questioning look. Smiling back, I took the book from him, quickly flipping the pages just to give my hands something to do as I leaned back fully on the tree, trying to get myself comfortable as I felt really on edge for some reason, like something was going to happen.

"Just a little light reading." I said, the silence caused by my not answering for a while had been unsettling to me. Sandy nodded, still amused, and leaned back on the old tree beside me. In fact he was a little closer to me than he ever usually did, but I shook it off, figuring that I was just still a little sleepy and it was causing me to see or think things that I normally wouldn't see connections in. Some time passed as we were just watching the environment around us, Sandy hadn't said (or formed) anything of not e so far, and I was still feeling very uncomfortable in the silence, so I decided to try another attempt at a discussion of some kind.

"When are going-" I have to admit though, when Sandy wanted to not talk during a peaceful moment, he had one hell of an effective way to make me silent. I squeaked a little at first when he kissed me, understandable of course, but still I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. My eyes were wide open in shock as the golden man moved his hands to the back of my head, trying to deepen the kiss. Which, because I was still a little more than just surprised at all this, I didn't object to. Eventually my eyes did close in an attempt to enjoy this moment, but I couldn't help but feel a little put off by something, as if something about this situation wasn't as right as I wanted it to be.

Trying to move away a little, I attempted to gently get myself free, but he didn't let up and I would have fallen to the ground if it weren't for the large root behind me that I grabbed onto to steady myself. I felt the tough bark in my hand and the pain f it cutting into my flesh seemed to flick a switch in my brain and I remembered everything.

I can't be here. If what I remembered was true, I should be in Stalingrad, a hell where it rained fire and metal every day. Not here, not where I wanted to be more than anything, doing what I was sure I had always wanted to do. For a moment I considered just letting it go and enjoying this moment, since it was, in case I forgot to mention before, amazing. He was so soft and caring, just like I thought he would be... Not that I had been thinking about this at all, certainly not a really long time...erm...

Anyway! I decided not to let myself just fall into this dream. Because while it might be the better out of both worlds, there was a child I needed to take care of in the other. Elief was not someone who deserved nor needed to be in that world, especially alone. I had already lost someone there; I didn't want him to be lost to.

I managed to get free enough to breath, which was an achievement to me. I stood up, moving away from him while I collected as much of a thought process as I could to figure out what the hell was going on. This obviously must be a dream of some kind and I needed to find a way out. Sandy hadn't moved while I stood where I was, trying to think of an escape. Yet while I do, more and more things become obvious to me, things that I hadn't noticed before.

"There aren't any clearings in the forest." Why would I forget that? And to top it off, I didn't remember their being any old tree that I liked to sit under either. Looking back at Sandy I only noticed more things, like how he wasn't moving in the slightest, just staring blankly at me as I paced around. He hadn't said anything this entire time, which was absolutely unlike him from what I remembered.

"This isn't real, there's no way this is real." Sandy seemed to move for the first time in a while, and surprised me immediately when he opened his mouth and spoke. The voice was hard to place for a moment, probably because I had only ever heard it in my head. I moved a little away from him, my hand moving to touch the scar on my neck, trying to see if that at least, could tie me back to reality. Only to be let down as I found that it wasn't there.

But don't tell me you don't want it to be real.

"Bedlam..." The Voice chuckled (since I refuse to think of this as Sandy anymore) and leaned back a little further on the tree, it's arms reaching up to relax under his head as it continued to speak. I on the other hand, was busy having my mind racing faster and faster for a way out of this. Watching me pace around like I was seemed to only amuse it more and more, like I was putting on a show for it.

Don't pretend you didn't enjoy it either, because I know you did. Oh he's so soft! Oh so caring! So predictable if you ask me. Plus, you're a pretty crap kisser in my opinion.

I huffed in disgust at it, but I didn't really care. It wasn't Sandy that I was kissing, and I knew that Bedlam says these types of things all the time just to hurt me, so I became immune to it. I continued to pace, though it knew, and It knew that I had been trying to figure out a way out of here. Bedlam didn't appear to be the least bit bothered though, but it was curious and I knew that much. It might be able to read my thoughts somehow, but not if I hide it from some things, like I was doing now.

It was quite simple really, I'd just find the thought and hide it away in a little box that for some reason, Bedlam couldn't get through. I grinned a little at this victory, but nothing more than that little grin as anything else would give me away and open the box. Bedlam sat up a little straighter, looking a little more annoyed than before.

What are you hiding from me? Keeping things from me won't help you, and to think I was just considering sending you back now.

"Oh but I want to stick around just a little longer Bedlam, just a little longer because I need to know something, something you've been hiding form me for a little while longer than you probably should have." I knew I was sounding a lot cockier than I should have been, especially since I was in its domain right now and it was calling the shots. I walked up to Bedlam until we were eye to eye and just a few inches away from each other. It didn't move back, though I could tell it was a little surprised that I would get close again, especially since it had humiliated me physically only a few minutes ago.

"Who are you? What are you?" It grinned, showing its sharp teeth that definitely did not belong on Sandy, only further cementing my contempt for Bedlam that had most definitely upped in the levels ever since Jack disappeared in the collapsed tunnel. If it thought that I was going to be frightened by that action, it was more than sorely mistaken. It leaned a little closer, but I did not move away as we stared each other down for what felt like an eternity, the supposed sand world around us having stopped and froze itself again quite some time ago. Finally Bedlam was the first to speak, its cold breath slightly touching my cheeks.

Let's play a game. If you win, you'll get what you want.

"And if I lose?" There wasn't actually any reasoning behind asking that since I knew already what the penalty would be, I just wanted to be sure in the circumstances. Bedlam's grin only grew in size and ferocity. It cocked its head and spoke in hushed voice, most likely to frighten me or make me feel weak, but I was not going to wield. I had wielded far too often to this thing, and I would not do so anymore.

I get full control, absolute and complete control over this body of yours. And just in case you're wondering, you will die.

"I'm dead already. Oh and one more thing for you before we begin. I know you like to think you gained control of me, like a wild horse, but I'd hate for you to be mistaken. I let you in, I allowed you control, and only because I wanted Sandy and Jack to be safe. And as soon as I win this game, as soon as I know what you are and all your weaknesses involved, I will kill you and gain back what I let you have. Do you understand?" I like to think that I ticked it off with that, and really what it did next was quite the message that I certainly had succeeded in doing so. Bedlam hissed at me, pushing me away before speaking next, its hand gripping one of the lower branches so tightly it exploded into sand again.

Let the game begin.

Then everything went black.

I had been hoping that I would wake back up in Stalingrad so I could quickly tell Elief of the situation, but of course I wouldn't be lucky enough for that to happen. When I woke I was lying on the ground in some type of room, I knew this as all I could see right then was the ceiling above my head. I lifted one finger, just to be sure that I could move anything. Relived I continued moving my hands and feet before eventually sitting up, looking around to see what was going to happen next. Just a few feet away from where I was, what looked like at least, Jack. I raised an eyebrow at Bedlam, who was of course impersonating Jack, most likely just to piss me off, but I accepted it and stood up completely, ready to play whatever it dished out at me.

"Well hey there Jack, I thought you were a pancake right now. Still, being a pancake under all that rubble would be better than being impersonated or stuck with a non corporal entity that's really bad at mouth hygiene." Bedlam said nothing more, just gestured to the intricate looking board that was on a table beside me. A table that was definitely not there a second ago, but since this was Bedlam's domain (wherever the hell that is); I decided not to question it and took a seat at the chair that had just popped into existence. Bedlam took a seat on the other side of the table and readied the game, placing all the pieces in the appropriate places. I remembered Sandy telling me about this game in particular, I think he said it was called 'chess'.

"What? Not even a laugh Jack, that's certainly not like you." I was just goading it on, since I secretly wanted it to change its form, to stop showing me someone I wasn't sure was still alive. But Bedlam didn't seem eager to change at that moment; instead it finally got the game ready, his pieces being black and mine white.

White moves first.

And that was all that was said for the longest time as we commenced the game. It was a harder challenge than usual, what with Bedlam being able to read my mind, therefore knowing what move I was going to make. So I had to play the box trick time and time again just to keep myself safe and at least have some kind of fair ground. I moved fast and quick, taking as many of Bedlam's pawns and pieces as I could as it took the same from me. Eventually though, the board was almost completely cleared, save a knight, castle, queen(obviously my king was also still there) and few pawns on my side while Bedlam had lost all of its pawns, had no castle or queen, one knight and both his bishops. The next move was mine, and I was sure what to do next, but was busy hiding it from Bedlam as it tried it's hardest to find out.

The board itself was almost forgotten as we started another mental game of keep away, and I was getting better and better with every second that passed. Finally whilst I was running around with my plan being hidden, I moved a pawn forward towards the king, which was of course close enough to take it. Bedlam grinned at my puny attempt and took the pawn with its bishop, looking at me with distaste and amusement, a look that definitely did not belong on the younger Frost spirit's face.

That was you're oh so precious plan? You've lost the game fool!

Bedlam moved its Bishop right next to my king, and I did my best to look discouraged and upset. Then as soon as it was finished moving, I took Bedlam's king out with my knight, ending the game. A few seconds seemed to have to pass as Bedlam took in the fact that it had lost to someone it thought it could read like an open book. I on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear, awaiting the prize for winning against it.

"Don't ever underestimate me, fool." The board disappeared and I didn't feel Bedlam's (or rather, Jack's) hands around my neck until it was too late and he was squeezing. Gripping his hands I struggled to get myself free, my fingernails tearing into what was supposedly meant to be frost layered skin. That didn't really affect him the way I wanted it to, so I kicked where I figured it would hurt anyone. Bedlam finally keeled over as I got away from him, gasping for breath at last.

"I win; tell me what I want to know." I coughed, gasping every so often as Bedlam eventually got on its feet and glared angrily at me, but I refused to be intimidated, I had won. Bedlam didn't do much else but stand there, a sudden smirk playing coyly on its face. It moved forward, being deliberately slow just to tick me off once again. I hated the grin that was on its face, in fact I hated that he was still wearing Jack as a disguise. But I refused to show it, I couldn't show it. I had won the game, facts are facts and I don't want it feeling as though it won something, even if it was something as small as making me sad from this situation in the slightest.

If I remember clearly, I said that if you won you'd get what you want. I didn't say exactly what it was. So, now it's time for you to leave. Because that's what you want right? So you can protect that little Brat in Stalingrad? A place that even you have described as hell. With that thought in mind, wouldn't it be better to just let me win, at least you wouldn't fell pain anymore.

"I need my pain. Now tell me who you are." Bedlam giggled like a demented child, and at this point I wouldn't have been surprised it that really was its true form. By this point it was standing toe to toe with me, glaring happily into my eyes as it raised its hand to click its fingers, an action that would no doubt send me back to Stalingrad.

Goodbye, until we meet again.

"No! I won you have to tell me! Tell me who you are!"

Everything went black.

I woke again, except this time for real in Stalingrad. I was inside a particularly rotted out building that I had found for me and Elief not long after Jack disappeared, which was several days ago, probably weeks. It was raining outside, the smell of rain mixing with the smell of death that was far away yet still tangible. I looked for Elief and found him sleeping a corner nearby, all bundled up in his coat and large hard helmet that I had found yesterday to cover his head. It suspiciously did have a few dings in it, leading me to suspect that the previous owner had died, but I didn't dare pass this information onto the small boy when I gave it to him.

Finding food had been the hardest, and I had done my best to get it all for him, not eating one damn thing for myself. It was enough to stop his stomach from growling 24/7, but I could tell that he was still hungry at times, and I felt terrible. Watching him sleep, I felt a sense of happiness in me at the thought that for now, he was safe. It wouldn't last though, and I knew that better than anything.

I had won the previous battle, but the war had to end now, before I wouldn't have bothered, what with the only victim that would fall would have been me. But now that Elief was here I had to think of him to, and the first thought that came to mind was to get rid of Bedlam. Standing up, I took of the large coat I had found with the helmet, Elief had denied the coat when he had seen how cold I had been at the time.

"You need it more than me." He had said, despite my protests. Such a sweet, brave child. So much so, that I couldn't help but want only the best and safest environment for him, I wanted to protect him. I didn't even have to look outside to know that this was not the best place in the world and right now I was not the best person to help him, but I was going to fix that.

Quickly I wrapped the coat around him so he'd be warmer, the temperature had really dropped lately, and right now it was colder than when I had fallen asleep. Elief subconsciously snuggled deeper into the new layer of coat and I smiled, walking slowly towards the exit so I wouldn't wake him. However during my little exit I accidentally stood on some glass, which was happily accented by a rather large explosion that while far off, still didn't help my cause to leave quietly.

"Where are you going Clover?" I turned back to him, he looked scared, and knew that I was probably not going to come back, that he'd be alone again and there weren't any churches left to hide in. I smiled at him, trying to reassure him of something that I myself didn't believe, but if I did come back, I knew more than ever that I'd be a better protector to him, I promised myself that as I spoke to him, my voice hushed, yet strained.

"I'll be back, I promise. Don't leave here and just go back to sleep, okay?" He nodded, his blonde hair hanging over his face before he snuggled back up into his sleeping position. Just before I left out the door, I saw him hugging the new layer of coat that I had given to him much closer than he had done before in his sleep. I quickly closed it behind me so I wouldn't hear his beginning sobs.

I hate not being certain of my promises.

Right, and what are you doing exactly?

I didn't answer Bedlam, and kept the answer it wanted deep in my mind box. It was getting nothing from me right now, nothing except the end of this stupid game it was playing with me. I walked on and on, through the empty streets of the city, watching every so often as there were slight sounds of an ongoing fight far away from here. Elief and I, so far, had been lucky enough not to run into any battles during our stay here but I still had to be careful. And this usually would have seemed odd to me, there was another oddity to me that seemed to take up a whole lot more of my attention.

There wasn't a single tree, plant or flower around here, all there was, was ash. It was like the inhabitants of this place had made it their personal business to burn everything so there wouldn't be anything for the invaders that were coming here. And while that sounds actually like a brilliant plan, it was really not helping the predicament me and Elief were in a there was barley anything edible around that wasn't currently burned to extra crispy.

There seemed to be quite the walk ahead of me, but at the same time I didn't really mind, it gave em some more time to reflect on where I was and the surroundings of this empty world. At least that's what I thought would happen until I unintentionally entered right into a war zone. There was a moment of fear and strange exhilaration that I remembered getting when I had first entered a warzone back in the first war they described as 'world wide'. Soldiers that wore two different uniforms were shooting each other, attacking each other, and of course completely ignoring me as I walked as calmly as I could between them in a way so that I wouldn't get shot like I would run around like a chicken that had lost its head. I managed to find a small spot, away from most of the fighting, but not too far away so what I was planning would come into motion.

What are you planning?

Ignorance was a great card to play against Bedlam, and I played it as I stood exactly still and where I was, looking up at the moon in the night sky. It was full again, and watching me curiously, as if Manny was also curious as to what I was up to. I smiled up at the watching spectator, waving slightly at him for some reason or another that I didn't really care for and wasn't to bothered by. Bedlam meanwhile, had been ranting and raving in my head, trying to take control only to find, for some reason that I didn't care to much about, it couldn't. Perhaps I'd placed that ability of it's in my ever illusive box? I grinned to myself, I really loved the good use I had put into that box, and after all I hadn't spent over 187 years building it up for nothing.

What?!

Oh yes, didn't I mention, I'd been building this box in my mind for some time now. After all I wanted to have some thoughts to myself. Now I find it quite useful, but I'm afraid I haven't that much time left to use it anymore. Shame really, since I spent so much time on it.

What are you talking about?

Should be here any second, I'll look up to give you some more context if you like.

Raising my head, I watched the large metal container come speeding down, faster and faster becoming relatively and very close to my position. I hadn't really tried to leave Stalingrad for a while now as I was trying to see if there were any patterns in their bomb droppings. Luckily I managed to find something, that they dropped them almost every 5 minutes in the main square of the city where the fighting was mainly taking place. And if my calculations were right (which, judging by the bomb that was now falling towards me, they were) It had been five minutes since the last explosion.

You can't do this! You'll kill yourself in the process!

I thought I'd stated before that I was already dead. Besides, I tried to do this peacefully, I tried to get rid of you the hard way, by finding out who you are, but I guess that doesn't matter anymore, in fact it never really mattered that much to me. I was just trying to do you a favour, which you sadly refused.

So just to sum up, I don't care who you are, and goodbye.

But what about the brat! You promised that brat you'd be alive when you got back to him!

I said goodbye.

No! No it can't end this way!

Well apparently it can.

I'll tell you who I am, just get away from here!

I've already stated that I don't care who you are, and do you know why? You're just a parasite in my mind. And this bomb is the only exterminator in town. So goodbye for the last time cockroach, if we meet again it'll be most likely impossible since either I, or you, or both of us will be dead.

No! I'll tell you! I'm P-

BAM

Then everything went dark...

At North Pole most of the spirits that were there previously had finally gone to their different parts of the world, all of them promising to page in any chance they got. Except for the two that were still missing of course. North had sent out Yeti's that weren't busy with the Christmas preparations to find those two, and so far had only found one. The jolly man (Who right now wasn't as jolly as usual) hadn't really bothered to check up on who it was. Sanderson had though, and it didn't take a guy with a PHD to know who it was the golden man was actually looking for. And by the expression he had when he left the Hospital Wing, it wasn't whom he had wanted.

The other Guardians didn't ask after whom it was, they all knew. Want they really wanted to ask however, was why he thought she'd show up here. Of course there's the point that it was a war that was going on outside, but the same thing had happened last time, with even more explosive circumstances since it was the first of the world wars, and yet even then she didn't show up. Two of the Guardians that North decided not to name, had a hunch that she was actually dead. This idea was only broken down by the fact that there was a light on the globe that while it had been flickering, it had still been lit.

North rolled his eyes in exasperation as he remembered the rather dramatic performance the Groundhog had given during the first meeting, calming down the fearful riot that had caused had been more difficult for the Yetis than five Christmases put together. Explaining to the crowd (once they'd been calmed) that the flickering light did not mean that the person was dying was actually quite the difficult task. The spirit themselves weren't dying, but they were seriously injured and meant that they needed medical attention before they actually did die.

Looking at the Globe now, the light was still flickering, and was completely alone. That would have worried the Guardian into what might have happened to the other spirit, except he didn't have to, since they were at this moment in the hospital wing. Now all that was left was to collect the other spirit, then everything would have the possibility of becoming better.

After some time one of the many working Yeti's came forward with some various notes on the Christmas that was coming up, and the outcome of the war so far. North sighed as he read the worst before the better, though of course there didn't seem to be any end to the worst of it all. Elves were walking absent minded through the main hall and off down the many hallways to do, whatever it was that they did. North watched they go, wishing that he could be just as ignorant as they were at that moment. The other Guardians were off in their homes at the moment, Sandy having left only a few minutes ago, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone when he left.

Just at that moment, during the older man's ponderings, an alarm went off. Yetis were sent running in all different directions of the globe's controls, checking if the readings were indeed correct and the rotation wasn't broken again. Some of them, when seeing what the machines read out, hung their heads, others tried to keep a cool demeanor as one of them finally handed their leader the umpteenth worst piece of bad news that he had received ever since this war had begun.

Because just a moment ago, when no one was looking, the flickering light went out at last.

Hmm...Quite the cliffhanger...

...Or is it a cliffhanger? Review and we'll find out together.

Oh and the poll is being taken down in the next chap upload so you best tell me quick what you think is going on.