A/N: A few chapters back someone asked how are they going to fight Coal, I hope this answers your question. We're reaching the end, all that's left is the two part finale. So enough with the banter here ya go!


A Very Whitechapel Christmas

Chapter 7: Ethan's Resolve

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Ethan struggled against the blizzard, it was bearing down on him with increasing intensity. If he didn't move faster then everything he worked for in the past hour would be for not, and everything he had lost would… He couldn't afford to think about that now, he held the small and fragile baby against his body. He needed to keep her warm; his wife's death would not be in vain. He could not lose his daughter as well. Ethan felt his body start to go numb. He would not give up now, not when he could see a town just over the hill.

Ethan pulled the coat tighter around him and the child when he felt his legs give out from under him. There was no hope, he was out of energy, and he couldn't feel his legs. He was sleepy, and exhausted. He just wanted to lie down and forget the world around him.

With one hand he began to crawl, the other held his daughter tight against his body. It suddenly occurred to him that she had stopped crying, and that was a fear far worse to him than any other danger he's encountered. He looked down, she was light blue, she was dead. That was the breaking point for Ethan he let out a desperate cry.

"IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I DIDN'T MEAN FOR THIS TO HAPPEN!"He was crying, the tears did nothing to alleviate the swelling depression within him. "SOMEONE HELP ME!"

Ethan screamed at the top of his lungs, for a moment he was unsure who he was calling out to or why. His breathing was labored, he was tired. Slowly his eyes began to close, and soon he fell asleep. The world around his ceased to matter, all that was left was the numbing cold that surrounded him. When Ethan came to he was in the cabin watching his wife scream. The child was on its way.


17th December 2012

"I've never seen anything like this at all," said Evelyn as she looked over Ethan's unconscious body. "Explain to me what happened again."

"We were fighting off those snowmen," began Benny when Jane suddenly broke out in tears. Sarah pulled her into a hug and exited the room. The color drained from Benny's face. "And he tried to destroy the feather in my book. When he did, we saw the darkness disappear, but Ethan's been like this since."

"This is some serious dark magic," Evelyn placed both her hands on Ethan's head. "He's locked inside his own mind. Other than that I can't tell what's wrong with him, it's almost like he's sleeping."

"He was having some kind of seizure earlier," said Erica as she took a few steps forward. "Do you think the feather possessed him?"

"He destroyed it," offered Rory. He held up the damaged feather in his hand. It was clearly broken in half. "Do you think it had something to do with Benny's book?"

"I don't' know, but we're going to have to talk with his parents," said Evelyn. At the mention of family the entire group looked uneasy. "I know you don't want too, but this is something far beyond our powers. He might not wake up for days, his parents need to know what's happened."

"Can't we just tell them he's staying over here? We might be able to break him out of this!" said Benny. "They can't know about his powers, not yet at least."

"What about Jane?" asked Sarah as she walked back into the room. "We can't send her home in the state she's in, they'll know something's wrong."

"Then we'll erase her memory," said Benny, the words were bitter coming out of his mouth. "We'll make her forget the last few hours. What other choice do we have?"

"That's cruel," said Rory as he kicked the ground. "We can't do that."

"I agree with him," said Erica. "It's a horrible thing to do, we can't erase her memory."

"What choice do we have?" asked Sarah. "I agree with Benny, we don't know how his parents will act? What if they take him to a hospital? This isn't something that can't be handled with medicine."

"Agree with what?" asked Jane as she walked back into the room. Her eyes were red from crying. Benny looked at his friends, who with the exception of Sarah looked uneasy. On the sofa Ethan began to groan, Evelyn placed her hand on his forehead-he was freezing cold. Benny muttered the spell and watched as Jane's eyes went unfocused. Sarah caught her.

"I'll take her home," said Sarah as she left. "I-I need a few minutes to myself."

When she was gone Benny placed his hand on Ethan's forehead and began to chant several incantations. Evelyn placed a blanket on the boy before joining her grandson. Together they were determined to try and break Ethan free from his mental prison. Erica and Rory took a seat and watched as they fought to free him, it was going to be a long night.

When Sarah arrived at the Morgan household she was greeted with the same strange looks as the night she brought Ethan home soaking wet and half dead.

"It's ok, she's just tired from all the running around," said Sarah as she lay Jane on the sofa. Ross looked around.

"Where's Ethan?"

"He's staying over at Benny's they're in the middle of a video game marathon or something."

"Thank you for bringing her home," said Samantha as she took a seat on a chair. "You know Jane really does adore you, I guess you could say the same of Ethan."

Sarah looked down sadly, and quickly bid goodbye before rushing out of the house. Both Ross and Samantha shared a strange look. Once outside Sarah let herself tear up, Ethan was trapped within his mind, and there was no way of getting him. Sure Benny and Evelyn were strong, but Coal had proved time and time again that he was no pushover.

What if Ethan didn't wake up? What is he remained that way for the rest of his life? Today wasn't one of the first times they had lied to his parents, and she knew it wouldn't be the last. She felt angry and punched a tree. It was nearly torn in half from the force. She ran away, trying to clear her mind. Again she thought about her feelings for Ethan, in the end she had more questions than answers.


Ethan felt the cold wash over him as he struggled to make it to the village. Was this his punishment for failing his family? Exhaustion began to take over, the snow swirled around him in the distance he could see a figure approach him. After a moment Ethan was able to make out the shape of a young boy, he looked familiar.

"You have to fight it," said the boy. "You helped me escape; now you have to. Don't let the hatred and negativity take over."

"My wife is dead, my daughter is dead. I have nothing left to live for."

"You don't have a wife and daughter," said Alec as he extended his hand. "Ethan break free, don't let yourself be consumed by another person's anger."

"I-I'm…" Ethan fell to his knees. He tried to reach our for Alec's hand when he slumped forward. Alec ran forward and grabbed Ethan's outstretched hand.

"This isn't your pain! This isn't who you are! Your mind is being held against its will by the feather. You need to break free! If you don't then you'll be stuck like this forever! You have friends! There's Benny, Sarah, Rory and Erica! You have a sister and a family!"

"He'll stay in here with me!" Another person appeared from the depths of the flurries, it was an older man. "He'll rot in the snow like I did. He'll learn what it means to lost to the world."

"That's not for you to decide."

"I will not give into you," said Ethan as he got up. "You have to fight against your misery and pain."

"I have every right to wallow in pain; I've lost everything, my wife, my daughter, even my own life! You don't know what it's like to be lost in darkness."

"You are a sad creature," said Ethan. "This is my mind, you don't belong here!"

The ground began to shake and memories flashed all around them. Alec smiled and took a step back. Ethan looked at the man.

"You may think you have the right to whatever you want because you've suffered in the past, but you don't! It's time to let go, it's time for you to move on!"

The storm began to close in on them, it engulfed the man. He was encircled in an orb; trapped within his own storm, his own memories, and his own anguish. The older man pounded against the prison; there wasn't forgiveness in his eyes only accusing hatred. Ethan gave him a sad look and turned away.

"You can't save everyone," said Alec. "There will always be those who cannot be cured, there must always be a catalyst for the pain."

Ethan said nothing and then placed his hands on the orb, he brought forth his strongest memories then smashed it with all his might. Nothing was left.

"It's time for you to wake up now," said Alec as he turned to leave.

"Thank you," said Ethan. "You saved me."

"Be careful," said Alec as he began to fade. "It's like I said before, you can't save all of them."


19th December 2012 (5 Days Left)

Ethan slowly opened his eyes; the last thing he remembered was taking the book from Benny. Everything after that was a blur, and then it came rushing back to him. The frozen tundra, the screams of pain, and Alec saving him. He reached into his pocket, the white feather was still there.

"Ethan your awake!" said Sarah as she pulled him into a hug. Ethan felt sore; the only plus was the lack of pain in his left leg was gone. "You have no idea how glad I am you're awake, we were so afraid we'd lost you."

"What are you talking about?"

Benny came forward. "You were out cold for almost two days, one minute we were fighting the snowman and the next you were on the ground. Grandma and I tried to break whatever was controlling you but we couldn't. It was too powerful."

Ethan looked around; Rory and Erica were standing at the far end of the room. They too had looks of concern on their faces.

"I'm ok," said Ethan as he got up. When he did his legs gave out from under him, Sarah caught him by the arm. "Thanks."

"You should take it easy," said Evelyn as she entered the room. "There was some serious dark magic controlling you."

"I was saved by Alec," said Ethan as he relayed the series of events. "He was able to break the man's control on me. If this is the kind of power Coal has, we need to be careful."

"Coal," hissed Rory as his fangs appeared. "If I get my hands on him Santa's going to have to put me on the naughty list!"

"Same here," said Erica. "You don't with mess with our friends."

"If it's been a day or two then I should head home," said Ethan as he tried to walk to the door. Everyone was giving him a strange look. "What?"

"You just woke up," said Sarah worried. "You should be taking it easy."

"Sarah's right," said Benny as he took a few steps forward. "Just sit down and relax. You have no idea what that feather might have done to your body."

This time Ethan stopped, he saw the pain and worry in both Benny and Sarah's eyes. He took a seat, and felt the sudden weakness wash over him.

Sarah took a seat next to him and took his hand in hers. "I was so worried."

"You have no idea how scared any of us were," said Rory as he sat across from them. "We thought you might actually die. Your body was ice cold, and you were moaning about your daughter."

"It was the feather," said Ethan. "It took control of my body; the memories were... I don't even know how to describe the feelings." He pulled the white feather out of his pocket. "Some of them can be changed, this was the one left on our table when all of this started."

"What did you do?" asked Benny as he reached for it. "It doesn't even give off that evil aura anymore. It feels so warm... and peaceful."

"I communicated with the memories inside it, and showed him that everything doesn't have to be dark and evil. He listened to what I had to say, I think this is the way to beat Coal."

"We have a way to stop the feathers," said Sarah. "But how will this actually stop Coal?"

"I don't know, but this is the only thing we have on him," Ethan thought about it for a moment. "Alec mentioned that there must always be a catalyst for those that can't be changed."

"So all the feathers can't be changed?" asked Erica.

Ethan ran through all the information he's gathered. "There are two types of feathers, the ones that contain the memories, and the ones that absorb the misery and give Coal his powers. The ones with the memories can be altered, but some of them refuse to accept that. The feathers with powerful memories cannot be changed, but maybe that's why Coal exists. Alec told me that they can't all be saved, that there must always be a catalyst."

"So then Coal exists as a medium for pain," said Evelyn. "It wouldn't be the first time emotions gave birth to a creature as a way to manage them. The better question is: if he was created to manage these memories and emotions then what happens if he's destroyed?"

The whole group looked uncertain; it was Erica who spoke first. "Maybe he isn't all that bad. He did take away my pain, and it did help me get over my Christmas anxiety."

"He needs to go down," said Rory. "If he's threatening Santa's holiday that makes him a problem!"

"I think Erica might be right," said Benny. "Look what happened to Ethan when the feather was smashed. If Coal really is the one who holds all that hatred in him, then where will it go if he's destroyed? I'm not saying we'll let him ruin Christmas, but we can't just destroy him like the others."

"He'd tried to kill you Ethan," said Sarah. "He needs to be stopped regardless of what might happen."

"We'll stop him," said Ethan. "He's brought the fight to us, and as Whitechapel's Guardians we'll do what needs to be done."

They nodded and one by one left, Sarah looked at Ethan and bit her lip. She wanted to say something-but what? Ethan looked at her, and she felt herself go red. She bid him goodbye and left, normally she would've confronted him about her feeling-but what had changed? Why was she suddenly so nervous?


20th December 2012 (4 Days Left)

The Morgan's Annual Christmas Party was in full swing. All of Ross and Samantha's clients, friends, and family were there. Ethan felt awkward as he tugged at his tie, the things he did to make his parents happy. Jane looked about as uncomfortable as he felt.

"How much longer do we have to wear these stupid clothes?" Asked Jane. "This is starting to itch."

"It's for mom and dad," said Ethan. "Besides the party will be over in another hour or two."

"Are you that determined to get out of here?" asked Sarah as she appeared. Ethan did his best to keep his mouth from falling open. She looked beautiful in her dress. "What's with that look?"

"Sarah!" yelled Jane as she gave her a hug. "I didn't know you were working tonight."

"Your parents asked me to come over; I think they wanted me to keep an eye on Ethan. You know how he always gets into trouble." She winked at him.

"Well now that you're here I can show you all the cool stuff I got you for Christmas!" Jane grabbed Sarah by the hand and pulled her out of the room. Ethan sighed and separated from the party a few minutes later. Once he was in his room he closed the door, and pulled the feather out of his pocket. It was still warm. if Coal could use the black ones to animate things then what could the white ones do?

He pressed it against his lamp, the feather melted into it, and began to glow. When the light faded the lamp looked newer. Ethan reached out to touch it and when he did he could sense a feeling of security and happiness it was giving off. He used his powers and removed the feather, when he did the lamp returned to normal. So the black feathers animated and mutated objects, and the white fixed them.

How strange… What did this say about Coal? He darted down the stairs to tell Sarah his discovery, but he couldn't find her anywhere. She was gone.

"Looking for Sarah?" asked Samantha as she took a seat at the table.

"Did she leave early?"

"Yeah, her parents called and asked her to come home early. She asked me to give you this." Ethan took the note from his mom and opened it.

Meet me at the park tomorrow at sunset - Sarah P.S. Don't do that panic thing you do, it's nothing bad

Ethan looked up at his mom who shrugged. "I didn't read it, but there's something so romantic about written word than text messages or phone calls." She got up. "But if by chance my son fell in love with the babysitter I might have to find a new one. Because there's no way I'm leaving two teenagers alone."

"MOM!" said Ethan as he turned red.

"I'm just stating the obvious." She placed a kiss on his forehead and headed back to the party. "You know the more I think about the more I realize Jane might not need a babysitter anymore."


21st December 2012 (3 Days Left)

According to internet speculation and various ancient civilizations the world was supposed to end today. To Ethan it felt like any other day except for the fact it went by so slow. Why did Sarah want to meet him in the park? Was she going to tell him she was secretly dating Rory or Benny? Or perhaps she had decided to move away? Was it possible that she was being possessed by Coal? There was an infinite amount of possibilities, and the more he thought about it the worse and worse he felt. He was already on his way to the park when the sun began to set. Maybe tonight was the night he would finally get to kiss Sarah.

Any thoughts of kissing were dashed as he examined the destruction in front of him. In the vanishing light, the bright blue bulbs would turn on and give the park a festive holiday feel. Now the lights lay in ruins, shattered bulbs covered the ground. Several branches were crushed or broken, a few trees had even been sliced in half. Ethan fell to his knees.

"Ethan what's the matter?" asked Sarah as she ran over to him. She looked up and saw the destroyed park. "Oh no."

Together they headed further in, it was clear the damage was spread across the area. They stood in silence, the park was supposed to be the heart of Whitechapel, the lights had as much as an impact as the reindeer did. Now with them gone, and with less than three days left until Christmas things seemed to be turning in Coal's favor.

"It has to be Coal," whispered Sarah as she stood at his side. "What are we going to do?"

Ethan said nothing and walked forward looking at all the broken bulbs, the crushed branches. What was Coal trying to tell them, was this part of his message? Ethan was about to mention it to Sarah when a shadow passed over them. In the rapidly vanishing light Ethan could make out a winged figure. Coal dove past the trees, his scarf was gone. In his hand a large black scythe shined. He charged straight for them. It was Ethan who responded first, he pushed Sarah to the side while trying avoiding the attack. A wing caught him by the arm and Ethan felt himself thrown backwards by the strike. Warm blood ran down his left arm, the wing has sliced through his jacket. Coal soared into the skies and threw the scythe at them. Ethan easily avoided the attack and watched as several trees collapsed under the weight of the weapon.

"Sarah are you ok?" asked Ethan as he made his way over to her. She slowly got up.

"I didn't think there'd be so much power in his wings." Sarah was massaging her arm where she'd been hit. "It was like being hit by a physical force of anger. Ethan you're bleeding!"

"I know," said Ethan. They watched as Coal surge towards them. "We have to move!"

Sarah shook him free and ran forward. Coal's wings disappeared, he landed on the ground and slide in their direction. He dodged her punch, his wings reappeared and caught her in the stomach, Sarah stumbled forward before crashing to the ground. Coal caught his weapon by the handle before turning around, he raised it high ready to bring it down on the vampire. Ethan charged forward and grabbed his head. There was a rush of memories, so many different people calling out to him that he was forced to let go. Coal caught him by the throat and lifted him up.

"You don't have to do this," gasped Ethan as he struggled against Coal's grasp. The blade was pointed at him.

"Ethan!" screamed Sarah as attempted to tackle the boy. Coal easily dodged the attack and threw Ethan into a tree. The scythe began to glow a moment later it was a scarf. Sarah charged at him again. He dodged her every punch, then caught her neck with the scarf. It transformed back into the scythe, Ethan felt fear rise up within him.

"Don't-" whispered Ethan as held up both his hands. "Please don't."

The scythe vanished, and Coal grabbed her shoulder. With a grunt he threw her into a bank of snow. Sarah let out a frustrated scream and charged at him again. He caught Sarah's punch. For a moment they locked eyes, then he smiled. His wings opened and he took to the air with Sarah in tow. Ethan watched as they vanished, his heart was pumping. He heard several shouts then nothing.

Coal descended from the air and landed on the ground, he looked sad and confused, he looked older than before. The scarf lay across his shoulders, and behind him his two wings disappeared.

"I thought it would be fun to compete with someone in an intellectual game of chess," said Coal as looked at Ethan. "But I've made a mistake. You've interfered far too much."

One moment he was at the end of the street, the next he was in front of Ethan his wings spread out behind him. "I never wanted to hurt anyone, and I am sorry, but it's time I ended this."

Ethan felt himself lifted into the skies, Coal was carrying him. He watched as Whitechapel turned into small lights and then nothing. It was freezing, he tried to take in a breathe and found it difficult. Coal lifted him until their eyes were level.

"It doesn't have to end like this," said Ethan as he grabbed Coal's arms. He began think about all the times he had with his friends and family, the feather in his pocket began to warm up. "Just let us try to help you!"

"What are you doing?" screamed Coal as he tried to break Ethan's grip, it was beginning to burn him. "Why can I sense you? Let go of me!"

Coal began to kick at Ethan, who refused to let go. "You don't have to be like this!"

Sarah watched as the duo swung back in forth in the air, she charged forward. "I do, because it's who I am. There will always be a catalyst between you and the hatred this holiday breeds!" Coal managed to free one of Ethan's hand, he reached for his scarf. "Goodbye Ethan Morgan, I look forward to collecting your memories."

Coal kicked Ethan in the face, but would not let go. Despite what he believed in, he had hoped it would not come to this. Coal swung the scythe when Sarah collided with him. In fear of hurting himself the scythe changed back into a scarf. Sarah swung her hand at Coal, he moved to avoid it. The sudden jerk caused Ethan to lose his grip and a moment later the vampire was diving after him.

Coal brought his hand up to his throat, there was a small trickle of blood from where Sarah had nicked him. "The next time I see you I swear I will rip open your throat." Coal let out a deranged laughed before flying away.

Sarah caught Ethan and crashed into a large snowbank. They were both breathing heavily. Ethan's left arm was covered in blood, he looked at Sarah she was holding her right arm.

"Are you ok?"

"I think he dislocated my shoulder when he pulled me into the air." said Sarah as she bit her lip. "How are you feeling?"

Before Ethan could respond the world faded from view.

Coal was standing atop the Whitechapel Church, he was waiting for them. There was the flash of the dark black scythe, his friends fell to the ground one by one. Whitechapel was bathed in darkness… They had failed. Coal's wings spread open and he let out a strange laugh.

"He's stronger than we thought," said Ethan as he lay his head on the ground. "We underestimated him."

"Ethan," whispered Sarah. When he looked at her she felt a strange sadness wash over her. He looked so sad, so defeated. "Never mind-it's nothing."

Ethan looked up. The sun was gone, they lay in darkness. Christmas was in more danger than ever before.