Chapter 18: The Ultimate Snowball Fight

It didn't take long to gather a bunch of grey clouds and direct them to Burgess. Once the clouds were in place, she lowered the temperature a bit to make sure the snow stuck to the ground. She knew she did not schedule snow for today, but it was for a special occasion. It was Jackson's birthday and she was determined to give him a birthday he will forever remember.

She smiled slightly as she heard at the collected shock gasps. "SNOW!" Jackson looked so happy and totally unaware that his death was only weeks away.

"He looks so happy," Pitch said sadly. Emily glanced at him and saw a sad smile on his face. Her father's cheeks were still stained with tears and his grey face was slightly lighter than usual. Oh, father.

Pitch was leaning against the tree, watching Jackson as he and the other children watched the white, fluffy, wet snow fall from the sky and stick to the ground. After several minutes, the snow piled to about a few feet; just enough to give the children the chance to make snowmen, igloos, snow angels, or Jackson's personal favorite…

"SNOWBALL FIGHT!"

A huge snowball fight among all the kids in where there were no rules or limits. Despite the situation and how badly his heart was crying, Pitch couldn't stop the smile or the wet laugh that escaped him.

Jackson was laughing as he gracefully made a snowball and threw it at his victims, not giving them time to prepare. Pitch watched as the children formed into groups and attempted to hit each other with snowballs. None of them were as graceful or accurate as Jackson though.

Pitch looked on with water dripping from his eyes. His brother was his everything. He had been searching for Jackson for centuries. Centuries! And what? To lose him again; only permanently his time!

No. Pitch removed his eyes from his brother and opened his clenched hand. In his palm laid a light blue heart locket. Pitch opened the locket with his thumb and stared at the two pictures within. On the right heart was a current picture of him and Emily during the Thanksgiving Dinner. On the left heart was a picture of Emily, Jackson, and himself; on the day of Jackson's first birthday.

Pitch smiled at the memory of that day. Jackson was so young and innocent and so full of energy.

Bright brown eyes stared at him as he held the one-year-old. Kozmotis smiled down at his baby brother as small hands tried to grab the cuff of his grey tunic, while he was bouncing the small child on his left knee. Kozmotis laughed, making Jackson smile and giggle with him. But his little giggles might have been for a different reason.

He hugged his brother close. "I love you, Jackson. You will be a wonderful warrior when you grow up. Sad, mom and dad can't be here to celebrate your birthday." He smiled fondly at his daughter as she rushed over with a camera, with Caroline close behind.

"Let's take a picture!" Emily squealed as her black hair whipped around her face as she skidded to a stop them. Kozmotis nodded as his daughter gave the camera to Caroline with a happy squeal. Emily sat on his other knee, while he sat in a gold, puffy chair. Jackson giggled as he was turned around on Kozmotis's knee and forced in the direction of the camera. Kozmotis thought it was cute how Jackson stared at the camera with interest.

"Say, Happy Birthday Jackson!"

"Happy Birthday Jackson!"

"Koz! Koz!"

"GOT YOU JACKSON!"

Pitch was snapped out of the memory when he heard the children's proud yells. Pitch looked up to the that the children all decided to work together to go after Jackson. Emily was laughing next to him as Jackson pretended that he was wounded and pretended to die.

"OOOOHHHH, YOU GOT ME!" he yelled as he pressed his hands to his heart and collapsed to the ground in a dramatic fashion.

All the children cheered and laughed, clearly looking exhausted from their fight.

Pitch looked on with a small smile on his face. Happy birthday, baby brother.

Jackson sat on his bed with his sister and stared at the light blue locket. A white snowflake was engraved on it, which he liked very much. It's beautiful. Jackson watched as Kozmotis showed him how to open it. Kozmotis's thin thumb undid the latch on the side and popped open the heart. Jackson stared with wide eyes as he saw the two pictures within.

Jackson felt tears at the corners of his eyes as he saw the group picture of Kozmotis and Emily that Father Time took at the dinner party; followed by the picture of Kozmotis dressed in a light grey tunic with gold trimmings, a younger Emily (probably around four or so) and a baby version of himself. Jackson smiled gently as Kozmotis placed it around his neck. Jackson held the heart in his hand as he stared at himself. He looked as happy and carefree.

"This is amazing Koz," Jackson whispered breathlessly. Flee stared at the picture as well with a smile.

"You're so cute Jackson!" she squealed. Jackson felt his cheeks warm at this.

"I'm glad you like it," Kozmotis said with a smile. Jackson looked up with a bright smile on his face, but his smile fell slightly when he saw something in Kozmotis. Was that a flicker of sadness in them?

"Koh, what's wrong?"

Kozmotis stared at him with a grave expression and for once, Jackson could see the pain and fear that had aged him for over several centuries. In that moment, Kozmotis looked worn and old. Kozmotis closed his eyes and took in a deep cleansing breath. Jackson glanced at his sister in worry.

"Kozmotis?" Flee asked his time in uncertainty.

"There's something you need to promise me," Kozmotis said once he opened his eyes again."

Jackson furrowed his brows and he knew Flee was doing the same. "Sure, what is it?"

Golden-silver eyes stared into twin brown eyes for a long moment before his word stuck their inner core and filling it with fear. "The Guardians are coming and are bringing war with them." Flee whimpered and clung to his arm rather tightly. "Emily managed to trap them at North's palace. However, it won't hold for long. They will be here in the coming weeks."

Jackson gritted his teeth, trying to be brave for his sister as he pulled her into a hug. He gently rubbed her back in a soothing motion. "What do we do?"

Kozmotis frowned in response. "I would have liked you to leave to a safer place, but I know that's not going to happen." He's right. I would never leave my friends behind. Jackson watched as Kozmotis sighed and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Jackson, Flee, do not underestimate the enemy. They might be Guardians, but they will not hesitate to use you to hurt me."

Jackson swallowed nervously as Flee began to shudder. "You're going to fight them?"

"I am," Kozmotis replied. "Now I need you two to promise to protect each other and to be careful. If you see the Guardians, run. If you see little blue and green fairies, you run. If you see golden sand or a huge rabbit going towards you, run as fast as you can. If you have to, run to my lair. You know where it is. I will have two of my Nightmares station there to shadow you in. Do you two understand?"

Jackson nodded firmly. "Don't worry Koz, we'll be fine. I promise to protect Flee with my life."

"I promise too," Flee mumbled. "The Guardians will not take Jackson away."

Kozmotis smiled at them then and pulled the both of them into a hug. "I know you two will protect each other. You two and your mother are all I have now."

Jackson snuggled closer to his brother and breathed in his scent. He felt safe in Kozmotis arms. Kozmotis was safety and home. He thought about the Guardians and wonder about the future. What will happen if the Guardians do come? Will I be able to protect Flee and Mom?

Susanna choked back a sob as Pitch warned her of her baby's possible death. This could not be happening. Jackson was too young. Susanna buried you face on Pitch chest, allowing the tears to fall. What was she going to do? If Pitch can't stop this, then what could she do?

"I'm doing everything I can," Pitch said brokenly. "I need you to try and keep them from going past the lake. My lair is close by there. I have shelter there for all three of you."

"How do I get there?" she asked softly.

"Night and the kids knows where it," Pitch explained. "However, I would like you to have something to help you enter my lair." Susanna pulled back and looked at the handsome man in front of her. Pitch cupped his right hand and to her surprise shadows and sand began to form together into a clear crystal vial, attached to a metal chain. In the vial was some kind of black liquid.

"What is it?" Susanna asked as she studied the fine details of the necklace.

"It a potion," Pitch stated. "I had planned on giving this to you when the threat was over. But I felt now was the right time to give it to you." Pitch shadowed it around her neck. "I want you to join me," he told her. Susanna looked at him in shock. He wants her to join him? "I want you to stay with me by my side, for eternity. I didn't want Jackson or Flee to get any ideas before I asked you myself."

Susanna felt her heart warmed inside. The kids were right about her liking Pitch. He was such a sweet and handsome man, even if he was several centuries old. Over the last several months, she never thought she felt this way after her husband's death. She was glad she was wrong.

"I would love to Pitch," she told him with a watery smile. Pitch smiled as well. "What does the potion do?"

"When you are done with your life here," Pitch pauses as he glances at the crystal. "When you drink this potion, this will turn you into a spirit. I designed it so that you will have shadow powers and Emily added some winter magic as well."

Susanna smiled slightly. "You had planned on keeping the family together," she said with a soft smile.

"That was the plan," he confirmed before sighing. Pitch ran his hand through his hair. "Promise me you will be careful."

Susanna nodded as she cupped Pitch cheek. "We will. You be careful too."

Pitch smiled as he closed his fingers over hers. "I'll try."