Hi guys! Thank you so much for the reviews. I loved hearing from you :) I hope that all of you are keeping safe and well during these crazy times. I am requesting you guys keep my family in your thoughts and prayers, my grandmother has been admitted to the hospital and the diagnosis is not good…if I lose her guys I don't know what I'll do. Sorry for the personal drama, here's the next chapter.

(With Pitch)

Rays of gold spread out behind a majestic mountain, portraying the illusion that an oriental fan had been opened. Just below this regal behemoth a valley stretched out for miles, gleaming green beneath the sun. Within this valley ancient trees seemed to worship the mountain above.

Just under these ancient believers thousands of flowers added their swaying praise along with their taller cousins.

It was in this valley of tranquility that a soul one would not expect to see had arrived.

After traversing the Between, Pitch had emerged here from the grey bleak realm that served as his highway of travel. And though Pitch was used to going from the Between to the normal realm, his companion wasn't…

"That was unbelievable!" silver eyes were full of awe as Darkness nearly fell over from turning around in an attempt to take in the new scenery around him, "We went from that weird place straight here!" the young shade paused, "Just where is here?"

"We have arrived at Tooth's doorsteps." Pitch waved a hand at the mountain that rose to the sky before them.

"Tooth lives on a mountain?" Darkness cocked his head, "Is she a hermit?"

"Toothiana, Queen of the Fae, is not a hermit." Pitch rolled his eyes as he started walking towards the mountain.

"Ok fine, but if Tooth lives at the top…" Darkness hurried to keep pace, "isn't she in danger of her house falling off?"

"Seriously?" Pitch glanced back, certain that the spirit was joking, a sigh escaped when he saw a look of genuine concern on Darkness's face, "No Darkness, Tooth's palace will not fall off."

"Are you sure?" the young shade glanced up at the tall mountain, squinting as he tried to glimpse the palace through the swirling clouds that ringed the peak, "It looks really high up…"

"Yes, I am certain that it will not fall off." Pitch exhaled, "Because Punjam Hy Loo lies within the mountain."

"What lies in the mountain? A Punjaloo?" Darkness's eyes filled with worry, "Is that some kind of animal?"

"No." Pitch shook his head, once again wondering why he had thought taking the amnesiatic spirit out of the house was a good idea "Punjam Hy Loo is the name of Tooth's palace."

"Why did she pick that name?" Darkness made a face, "It sounds weird."

"It is a bit odd sounding." A chuckle escaped the Nightmare King, "However Tooth did not choose the name, Punjam Hy Loo was here long before she was born." Pitch inhaled when Darkness opened his mouth, the shade knowing that a million questions were coming.

Thankfully for the Nightmare King before Darkness could ask the questions he had, they turned the corner of the trail and were confronted by a meadow of flowers.

"Oh wow!"

Pitch startled when Darkness rushed past him

"I've never seen flowers like this…" Darkness paused as he glanced up from the blue flower he had knelt beside, "At least I don't think I have…"

"Those are Blue Poppies." Pitch spoke as he strode forward to where the spirit was, "They are quite common near Tooth's palace."

"And those?" Darkness pointed to a patch of orange.

Pitch followed where the spirit indicated, "Those are Chrysanthemums. They come in several different colors."

"Oh, wow! Look at that one!" Darkness left the orange flower and raced over to a black flower.

"Ah," Pitch smiled as he followed after, "That one is called a Black Iris." A chuckle escaped him, "Patrick has often avoided many a lecture by giving his wife these as an apology gift."

Darkness glanced at Pitch quizzically, "Wait, you give these as gifts?"

"Yes, it is a common practice nowadays." Pitch raised an eyebrow when Darkness jumped up and raced back the way they had come, "Darkness we don't have time to backtrack…"

"I'm going to get some flowers for Tala."

Pitch watched as Darkness raced over to the first patch of flowers they had seen and carefully began picking a few of the light blue plants.

"I thought maybe it would be a good idea to bring her a gift." Darkness's voice trembled as he glanced up, "You know…as an apology for forgetting her."

Pitch stumbled sideways a bit when he was hit by a surge of fear.

It whispered in the Nightmare King's mind of how Darkness felt that Tala would want nothing to do with him because he was broken. Whispers followed stating just how Darkness feared that he would be forever this way, never being able to recall his past.

"…ike these?"

Pitch was pulled from his thoughts by Darkness's question

"I don't want to give Tala something and her hate it."

There was so much anxiety within Darkness's voice Pitch immediately moved forward and placed a hand on the spirit's shoulder, "I am sure that Tala will love whatever you give her."

Darkness visibly relaxed

"Now come, we need to get to Tooth's before those flowers wilt." Pitch offered him a smile "Wouldn't want to give Tala rotten flowers, now would you?"

"No!" Silver eyes widened, "But we're so far away!" Darkness glanced at the mountain, "Can't you just take us through that weird place again?"

"I was planning to when you got distracted by all the plant life." Pitch chuckled when Darkness rolled his eyes, "The shadow I need to enter Punjam Hy Loo is just past the meadow." He motioned with his head, "Come, we will reach it within minutes."

Darkness quickly followed the Nightmare King, clutching the flowers he had picked tightly against his chest. The poor spirit's mind racing with thoughts of what he was going to say to the woman whose very name made his heart race and his mind go numb.

(North Pole)

While the trees and flowers watched the two shades sink into the shadows, at the top of the world ancient glaciers rose towards the sky in glistening glory. These mountains of ice, carved and smoothed by ages of wind, stared out across their vast kingdom of white.

Normally these glaciers saw little in their domain, especially during these months when the sun refused to come to the sky and the only light was that of the stars and moon at night.

However, this day these sightless giants gleamed the rare sight of the North Poles sole human resident trekking across the snow. The Guardian wasn't alone either, a young teen clothed in an oversized red coat followed beside the man. Though the boy's attention wasn't on his companion, instead he kept glancing at the unconscious demon the Guardian was dragging behind them.

"I hope no one at the Vaults is looking for Kreager." Faine shivered despite the warmth of the robe North had given him, "If so then they'll come straight to the Pole!" the Dryad's chest tightened, "They'd attack the Workshop! Poor North would be overwhelmed, the yetis would be too!" so caught up with this envisioned tragedy the teen didn't notice that his breathing was becoming faster as he continued to imagine the worst, "Then the demons would find Ahio, and they'd take him back to the Vaults! They would torture him like they did me! Oh, my gods, what if Stitcher decided to take Ahio to that room…I'd never see him again!"

"Faine!"

A startled squeak escaped Faine when North's voice broke into his thoughts, he glanced at the Guardian surprised to see concern on the spirit's face.

"Are you ok?"

Faine nodded quickly, "I…I am fine."

"You did not seem to be." North offered a smile, "So tell, what is on mind?"

Faine hesitated, not sure if he should voice his concerns, after all he was just being silly right?

"Is it about Kreager?"

The teen instantly felt relived, trust North to know exactly what was bothering him

"I'm just worried about taking Kreager back to the Pole." Faine's green eyes went to the creature who was still unconscious, "I mean, what if other demons from the Vaults come looking for him?"

"I thought of same thing Faine." North shook his head, "But I have to bring Kreager back with us." the Guardian glanced back at the demon, "I cannot leave out in the cold…demon's like Kreager would not survive very long in this type of weather."

"Yeah, I knew that...it's why I went after Nyx in the first place." Faine sighed in agreement, the teen was surprised when North abruptly stopped walking, "North, is something wrong?"

"Did you say you followed Nyx out here?"

"Yes, that's the whole reason I was out here, I saw her leave the Pole." a horrible feeling settled in the teen's gut, "Di…Didn't Nyx come through the tunnel with Decadence?!"

"Het," North shook his head, "Only Decadence was at Pole. She came running into the Workshop yelling about escaping from Kreager and that you were fighting with the demon."

"Then I could have sent Nyx anywhere!" Faine felt his stomach turn, "She could be in danger! Or worse I could have killed her when I lost control of the Ecosphere!" a wail escaped the teen as he grabbed the side of his head, "Oh my gods I am responsible for yet another person getting hurt!"

"Uspoykoysya!"

Faine startled when North grabbed his shoulders

"You are getting self-worked up for no reason." North made sure his voice was gentle as Faine stared at him, "You do not know if Nyx is hurt." The Guardian offered the teen a smile, "For all we know Nyx could be at Pole this minute." North waved a hand as he let go of the Dryad.

"You…you really think so?" Faine shook as he tried to calm himself down, he frowned slightly, "But if Nyx was at the Pole why didn't she tell you about Kreager?"

North chuckled as he reached and grabbed Kreager's ankle again, "Nyx most likely was at point of hibernation so I bet she went to library to warm up first before she was going to come get me."

A frown creased Faine's face, "Why would Nyx do that? She should have come to you first!"

"I know that Faine." The Guardian's tone became soft, "But please don't hold this against her, Nyx has been alone for long time. She is not used to having to think of other people's safety."

Faine mulled that over for a moment, then a sigh escaped "I'm not really mad at her North. I understand that Nyx is a bit…complicated." Faine smiled as they started walking again, "In fact I'll just be glad when we get back and make sure that Nyx is there."

"I am certain that she is." North grinned as he glanced ahead, "Safe and sound."

Faine nodded, "I hope so." The teen spoke quietly, "I don't think I could live with myself if something bad happened again because of me."

North frowned, there was something in the way the Dryad said 'again' that caught the Guardian's attention. Earlier Faine had said something about being the cause of someone being hurt, North had brushed it off then but now the boy had alluded to it once more.

"Faine…."

"North look!" Faine didn't hear the Guardian, the teen fully focused on the warm glow that stood out in the distance, "It's the Workshop!"

Before North could reply the Dryad rushed past him, the teen eager to see if Nyx was truly at the Pole. The Guardian chuckled as Faine struggled through the deep snow to reach the top if the embankment, however that levity left North when he saw Faine freeze at the top.

North instantly felt every hair on his neck rise when Faine turned to look at him and pure horror etched on the boy's face, "Faine what is wrong!" he dropped Kreager so he could reach the teen faster.

Within seconds North was at Faine's side, once there North too felt a wave of terror he was not used to.

Standing just below the embankment was the ancient Rider Famine, his blood red bones gleaming in gory contrast to the pure white snow that surrounded him.

However as much of a surprise it was to see Famine, what really caused North shock was what the Rider held in his hand.

Dangling by the back of her neck was Nyx, the young Ale not bothering to get free. In fact, she had gone limp, her wings and tail drooping down in defeat.

North narrowed his eyes when he saw Famine lean forward and begin whispering into Nyx's ear. Because of the distance North couldn't hear what the Rider was saying, however whatever it was Nyx seemed to be nodding her compliance.

"North…we have to save Nyx." Faine's voice was no more than a whisper, the boy not wanting to alert Famine of them being there.

However as careful as Faine had tried to be his words were carried by the wind.

Within seconds Nyx jerked her head in their direction, her eyes widened in horror when she saw Faine and North at the top of the embankment.

"You need to run!" Nyx's words were nothing short of a wail, the girl now struggling against the Rider holding her.

"Ah the infamous North." Famine's voice creaked out of his hollow mouth as he ignored his struggling captive, "It is an honor." the Rider faked a bow, "I have some business with you." Famine pointed a bony finger at the Workshop "A slave escaped a few hours ago and my imps tracked her here." The flames within Famine's eyes sparked, "My King does not like to lose his things, so I am here to retrieve her."

"You will be doing no such thing." North glared at the Rider, "Decadence has come to me seeking safety and protection and that is what she will have." The Guardian pointed at Nyx, "You will also be letting Nyx go."

"Oh, so you have become fond of this little imp?" Famine chuckled darkly "I could use that to my advantage don't you think?"

A low whine escaped Nyx when the Rider shook her.

Faine stiffened when out of the corner of his eye he saw North's hand drift to the hilt of his sword. He could almost feel the fury radiating from the Guardian.

"I am only going to tell once more, let her go." North's eyes narrowed; the fear he had felt earlier being replaced with anger.

Instead of complying Famine seemed amused by North's order

"Just who do you think you are to order me to do anything?"

A loud shing echoed in the air as North withdrew his scimitar "I am a Guardian, chosen by Moon to protect the souls of this world from creatures such as you." North pointed his blade at the Rider, "Now, let her go before I am forced to make you."

"Do you not know who I am?" The Rider glowered at the Guardian "I am Famine! Second Rider of Thain, bane of the living! I have shriveled worlds to nothing more than husks!"

The Rider glowered at North, the flames within his sockets flaring, "I have brought mightier spirits than you to their knees just by being in their presence!" Famine's voice echoed with fury, "What makes you so unafraid?"

"Do not be getting it wrong. I am not stupid, I feel fear." North lifted his blade as he took a fighting stance, "But I fear not protecting those I have been given charge over more than I fear you."

"Beautiful speech Guardian. Tugged at what used to be my heart." Famine hummed slightly, "So instead of just killing you and taking back the slave as I should, how about a trade?" the Rider held Nyx up higher, ignoring the girl's squeak as he did so, "The slave for the Ale?"

"Het!" North narrowed his eyes, "I will not trade one life for another!"

Famine chuckled, "Perhaps I am being too vague in the ramifications of not taking my offer." The Rider's demeanor shifted instantly, "How about I show you?"

The air seemed to scream as a sickly green sword seemed to pierce through thin air beside Famine. The Rider casually reached with his free hand and grabbed the blades black ribbon wrapped hilt before it hit the ground.

With ease Famine twirled the blade with his one hand, then he whipped it towards Nyx.

"Svo-lach!" North cursed when the Rider drew the blade across Nyx's cheek, leaving behind a line of blood.

Famine grinned at the pained whimpers now coming from the young demon, "Now 'Guardian' make your choice."

An unearthly silence settled, as the entire Tundra waited for what North's answer would be.

(Burgess)

While at the top of the world North was wrestling with what his next move would be, in the small town of Burgess the winter spirit Jack was planning his own.

"Ok so what if I sneak away after the next game?" Jack thought as he nimbly dodged the snowball that had been lobbed at him. The winter spirit quickly swirled snow into his palm and returned fire, smirking slightly when a yelp from Claude signaled that he had again been accurate in his throw.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Jack pivoted around his staff, avoiding Monty's 'surprise' attack, "Though how would I be able to?" the winter spirit pondered as he summoned a mound of snow to fall on the boy, "These guys haven't given me a second alone since we got here."

Normally Jack would have been ecstatic about this fact, having been along for nearly three hundred years being seen by Jamie and his friends had become something of a balm for the poor teen's loneliness.

Today however the fact that the kids wanted to be near him every second was putting a hitch in his plan to sneak away.

"Ca…ca…Can you he..help me?"

Jack was brought from his thoughts by Monty's shivering voice, he flinched when the boy tried to pull himself out from under the mound of snow only to have it collapse on him. "Time guys!"

There was a pause in the ruckus of play, then a sudden 'splat' resounded in the quiet.

"Cupcake! He said time out!"

"It was melting Caleb! What did you want me to do! Waste perfectly good ammo?"

Jack ignored the two when they began squabbling, instead he hurried over to Monty, "Hey sorry about that."

"It's ok." Monty grinned as the winter spirit helped him from under the snow, "I almost got you though."

"Totally." Jack nodded as he brushed the boy off.

"You ok Monty?" Jamie's voice was full of worry as he and Pippa hurried over to them.

"Ye…yeah I think so." Monty shivered as he fixed his glasses.

Jamie grinned, knowing full well that their shy friend wasn't enjoying playing Snowmageden as much they were. The boy glanced back at the others (Claude had joined Caleb in arguing with Cupcake about her firing during peace time) "Guys let's play something else."

"Let's go explore the old Gregor Mansion!" Cupcake pushed past the twins, the girl done arguing that she had been perfectly within the right of warfare, "I heard there's a ghost that lives there."

Jamie placed a hand on Monty's shoulder when the boy visibly went white, "Naw, I've had enough of adventure for the day."

Claude snapped his fingers, "Dudes let's go to Jay's Bakery!"

"I like that one." Jack grinned at the thought of getting sweets.

Jamie huffed "Of course you like that one Jack, it has to do with sugar."

"Come on Jamie, lets go to Jays." Pippa grinned "I could go for some of those icing filled cookies."

"I'm going to try one of those Double Decker cones." Cupcake grinned "I heard some guy had to be hospitalized due to his brain freezing after eating one."

Jack listened happily as each began excitably talking about what kind of dessert they were going to get. Suddenly an idea came to the winter spirit, here was his chance to get away from Jamie without having to worry about the boy following him.

"Hey guys maybe I should wait here." Jack continued quickly when Jamie started ask why, "I mean the last time I visited downtown I buried it under three feet of snow."

"Then just don't." Jamie rolled his eyes

Jack smirked, "Have you met me?"

"True." Jamie conceded with a sigh, "Fine." The boy motioned to the group, "We'll go get the sweets and you can stay here." A grin came to his face "And 'try' not to get into trouble."

"If only you knew." Jack thought, however, to Jamie he gave a salute, "Yes, sir!"

"Ok guys let go." Jamie shook his head at the teen's antics then he turned and hurried out of the park.

Jack watched as the gang started into town, the winter spirit laughing when the twins started arguing about who would get to pick what they would get.

"Bye…" the word was no more than a whisper, Jack not wanting to catch his brother's attention as he turned and headed towards the forest that lay just a few blocks away.

Bits of frost marked the teen's path as Jack made his way through the town, quicker than he would have liked the teen soon found himself face to face with a wall of trees.

"Welp…." Jack spoke to no one as he stared into the ominous forest, "This is it…" the winter spirit unconsciously clutched his staff tighter as he steeled himself for what he was about to do.

As Jack stepped from the town into the forest, the teen instantly felt a surge of energy in the air.

"Well…at least I won't be waiting long." Jack shuddered when he realized the moment his feet had touched the soil Haruto had appeared somewhere within the woods.

The winter spirit didn't move, wondering if Haruto was going to come find him like the spirit had so threateningly stated.

However, after only the peaceful sounds of the forest echoed Jack exhaled the breath he had been holding.

"Fine." Jack grumbled as he started walking in the direction he could feel Haruto's energy.

After traveling for about an hour the teen was starting to get angry, no matter how much he walked Haruto's energy seemed to be moving away from him.

"Stupid psychotic uncle…least he could do is not make finding him so har…" Jack stopped mid-step as he entered into a small grove, "You have got to be kidding me." The teen stared in disbelief.

Just a few feet away was a lone oak, though it wasn't the tree itself that caused the teen exasperation. No, it was the fact that hiding behind its trunk was Haruto…though hiding wasn't exactly what one would call what the spirit was doing. Since you could plainly see the man's shoulders on either side of the tree.

"Ok Haruto." Jack growled slightly, "I'm here like you wanted."

"Haruto? Who is this Haruto you are speaking of?" the spirit's voice was an exaggerated higher pitch, "There is only Mighty Oak. Now be a kind lad and 'leaf' me alone."

"You've got to be kidding me." Jack gave his uncle a deadpan look.

"No no, completely serious. Just a tree." Haruto snorted as if he were having the time of his life, "But I have heard that this Haruto is a handsome, debonair fellow." The spirit motioned with his hand to the trial, "Perhaps if you go down this path you might be able to meet him. I just know you are 'dying' to."

Jack wasn't in the mood for his uncle's antics, "Look! I don't have time for this!" the winter spirit's fist tightened, "You said to come here, and I am here. Now take me to Sam!"

"Jeez you inherited your father's sense of humor." Haruto shook his head as he stepped from behind the tree.

"Well excuse me for not being in a good mood." Jack glowered at his uncle, "You've kidnapped and tortured my friend!"

"Well anything will sound awful if you say with that attitude." Haruto pouted, "Fine, we'll head to my palace."

"Ok." Jack huffed when his uncle sat on the ground, "What are you doing now?"

"We might as well sit." Haruto motioned for Jack to join him, "It'll take a few hours to reach my place."

Jack narrowed his eyes "Then shouldn't we start heading there now?"

"Oh, you misunderstand." Haruto grinned, "We can't 'go' to my palace for a few hours."

"Why not!" Jack was struggling to not throttle the grinning spirit.

Haruto shrugged, "Rules are rules."

"Then why did you want me to meet you now!" the winter spirit clutched his staff, trembling with fury.

"I thought maybe we could spend some time together." Haruto smirked when Jack glared at him.

"Fine we'll wait." Jack huffed as he dropped to the forest floor, "But I'm not talking to you."

Haruto chuckled as he watched the teen sit cross legged, "Awww and here I wanted to tell you all about the dungeons you're going to get to see." The spirit grinned, "I mean my palace is the most amazing, most aw inspiring, breath taking place you will ever see!"

Jack couldn't help the curiosity that came over him, "So, just where is your palace?"

"The Sun."

"Wait what!" Jack stared at Haruto waiting for the man to say he was kidding, when the teen saw that his uncle was serious his eyes widened "You're crazy! There's no way you can go to the Sun!"

Haruto wagged a finger, "Yes you can, if you go…" here the spirit paused as if trying to be dramatic, "at night!"

"This is it." Jack thought when Haruto doubled over laughing at some inside joke, "I am going to die."

Ok guys! Please review and let me know what you thought. I love hearing from you and seeing what you think of the story so far. Keep my family in your thoughts and prayers. Till next time. :)