Chapter 20: Christmas Eve

Despite the nightmares and uneasy feeling she been feeling over the past couple of day, Susanna still decided to hold a Christmas Eve dinner for her family. Besides, the kids wouldn't stop talking about the presents Pitch might get them. Some might think it would be odd that they weren't chatting about what Santa might get them. Susanna still found it strange that he was one of the said Guardians and could be responsible for her son's death.

Susanna shook her head at that thought. She just had to believe that Jackson was responsible enough to protect himself and that Pitch would try and keep the Guardians away from the village.

"Why this looks good." Susanna jumped in surprise and turned to see a smirking Pitch Black.

Susanna smacked his shoulder playfully with her wooden spoon. "Don't scare me like that while I'm cooking."

She smiled as Pitch's laughed. She so loved it when he laughed. "Sorry! Sorry!"

Susanna returned her attention to the soup that she was making. "You are early."

Pitch shrugged and leaned against the counter. "I finished early," he said. "So, did they ask yet?"

"Oh? You mean about you courting me? And us living with you when we are done with this life?" she asked innocently.

"Yes," Pitch drawled out, sounding impatient.

"I don't know," she said as she glanced back at him. Pitch gave her an annoyed look. "You tell me." Susanna raised her voice loud enough for the kids to hear. She knew they were spying on them somewhere nearby.

Pitch blinked at her and gave her a perplexed look at her statement. Before Pitch could even respond two singing voices was heard from the hallway and got louder as Jackson and Flee entered the kitchen.

"Kozmotis and Mommy sitting on a Nightmare. K-I-S-S-I-N-G! We knew they were in love! And soon to be married and then they fight…while…um…the Guardians cry!"

Pitch laughed at the last part. Jackson and Flee clearly just added that for their enjoyment. "I knew you loved mom, Koz." Pitch's voice choked at the smug statement.

Susanna looked back to see Pitch rolling his eyes and glaring at his brother. "When's the wedding?"

Susanna was slightly startled by her daughter's question. Although, she assumed they were only thinking this way because she made them dress up for what was suppose to be a family dinner. Knowing how devious Jackson was, unfortunately, there was no doubt in her mind that her son had been spying on them closely when she and Pitch went out together, alone, over the last several weeks. She knew Jackson knew something, but was staying quiet for some reason. This made her pause as she put the spoon down to grab the bowls from the counter.

"Nowhere near now," Pitch told them.

"But why?" Jackson asked. "It's not like you're getting any older." Flee and Susanna giggled in response. Susanna turned around with two steaming bowls of soup in her hands and saw Pitch glaring at his brother in a playful brotherly manner. Not even Pitch could keep his cool with Jackson's little quips.

"Why you little brat! I'm going to give you nightmares for a week," Pitch growled, but she knew the threat wasn't valid; Pitch didn't have the heart to do that to his brother.

Jackson smiled sweetly at his brother. "Why Koz, I have to say that I'm hurt." Jackson looked as if what Pitch said struck him in the chest, painfully. "You would give your brother nightmares for only looking out for your love life?"

Pitch crossed his arms over his chest and continued to glare at his younger brother. "I don't need your help. I can do it on my own. I am older than you if you don't remember."

"Oh, I remember," Jackson acknowledge. "And you must remember who hooked up Flee and Jamie."

Susanna took that moment to clear her throat, stopping Pitch from whatever comment he was going to growl in response.

"Boys," her voice had a hint of authority and disappointment in it. "This is not the time to argue. It is Christmas Eve and you two promised to behave." The two siblings stiffen at her tone and nodded.

"I remember," Jackson said with a nervous smile.

"Me too," Pitch said, trying to act as if he was not acting like a child a few minutes ago.

"Good. You two can take these to the table then. Food is done." Pitch and Jackson complied without arguing as they took the two bowls and left the kitchen. They were soon back to retrieve two more bowls, while she and Flee brought four cups and a pitcher of cider.

"I wonder what Kozmotis got us," Flee whispered as she spotted presents under the tree. Susanna smiled.

"You just have to see in the morning dear."

Seven months.

They had been trapped for seven long months. It had been very stressful and tiring watching the Yetis preparing for Christmas, while they were searching for the cause of their lack of powers. However, as months went on the others were starting to lose hope.

First, it was Tooth. She knew her fairies were working hard to collect the teeth while they fought against Pitch. However, without her guidance form time to time, they could get lost or forget. The effects of the lack of believers were not too strong. She could still fly, but her color was faded slightly.

Next was Sandy. The lack of believers was stronger with the golden man. Unlike Tooth, Sandy could no longer fly. He was more tired now and barely had the strength to communicate with his sand.

North was still hanging on, but barely. He wasn't the jolly, annoying block that he usually was. But he was still creating toys and rushing it off to the Yetis for production. North was still clinging on to the hope that the blizzards would be gone before he had to leave to deliver the presents for the ankle-biters. But even he was coming to the end of his ropes. The Yetis were behind on their work because of the lack of supplies. The crazy elves kept breaking things (like most of the presents). Where they get the energy? He had no idea. And the worst of all — it was past his departure time.

Bunnymund's nose twitched as he entered the workshop. There weren't enough toys this year. There only seemed to be enough for a couple thousand ankle-biters. Bunnymund frowned as he walked towards North. North was dressed in his red suit. The deathtrap (that North swore was fun and fast) was ready with about half of the usual load he usually had.

"North?"

"Hmm?" North looked at him with dull blue eyes. The joy and cheeriness were slowly leaving the man's body and was being replaced with despair.

Bunnymund sighed and looked at his friend worriedly. "I've picked up a very strong magical scent from the Globe Room."

"What type of scent?" North's eyes were wide and were starting to fill with hope. Bunnymund felt his own hope rise. Maybe they finally found what was keeping them there.

"It's not one of ours, the Yetis, or the elves. I would recognize it."

"What did it smell like?" North asked as they began to leave the Workshop and walked quickly towards the Globe Room, where Tooth and Sandy were sleeping.

"Strong Spring magic, mixed with Fall, Winter, and Summer."

Onyx stared at the child as he slept. Black sand formed into a picture of a clown chasing the child. Onyx flicked her tail as she made her departure. Human children were odd creatures and very silly with their fears. What they were afraid of were silly.

Rabbits.

Sharks.

A talking sandwich.

Buttons.

Indians.

Water.

It was all very silly.

Onyx shadowed out of the room and into the dark night. She neighed pleasingly at the cool winter night of Christmas Day. It would just be a few more hours before the Prince and Princess would wake up to open their presents.

She neighed pleasingly at the thought as she flew to the next house in Europe. They were going to love their presents. She wondered if Master was having a nice time at the dinner with his family. He did say we would be staying there 'til morning.

"Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!"

Onyx stopped in surprise as she heard the voice. She looked up with narrowed eyes.

"On, Comet! On, Cupid!"

She saw a red sleigh and eight reindeer flying above her as they left the house she was about to enter.

"On, Donner and Blitzen!"

The Guardians have finally escaped their prison.