Pitch walked back into his lair after seeking out the Guardians. Sandy was practically dead until children believed in him again, and he assumed North would catch wind of what he had told the other two.
As if smelling them on him, Jack came from nowhere and landed down in front of him with a scrutinizing look.
"Where did you go?" he asked, suspicion etched in his tone.
"I forgot that I answer to you, Frost." Pitch spit back with his own tone.
Jack stared for a couple seconds more before walking away to stare at the globe once more. Pitch watched him go, his expression softening. Jack seemed to be counting the lights that had flickered on, and then moved to Pitch.
"I've got a plan. I don't say idea because I've already tried it out."
Pitch stiffened. "What is it?"
"Like it or not, when children are born and are very little, their parents teach them of the Guardians by default and they believe. Well, we'll see how much they believe when they get the worst nightmares in the world. So bad, they go into comas." Jack smiled.
Pitch clenched his fists. "The nightmares are mine, Jack, not yours. Why would you think I'd agree with you anyway?"
"Uhhh.." Jack turned to look over his shoulder. "Did you not hear me? I already did it. I can control nightmares too, now."
Jack barely had time to finish when sand hurtled in his direction, and would have hit his face if he hadn't moved. Before he knew it, more sand flew at him and he had no choice but to shoot back. His ice had been tinted with black recently, and looked more solid than Pitch's sand.
"Who do you think you are Jack?!" Pitch yelled, throwing shots. "I AM THE NIGHTMARE KING! NOT YOU!"
He pulled forth a wave of nightmares, and sent them cascading down on Jack. He knew the boy was stronger than that, but he didn't expect the other to just brush the attack off. Jack was holding his staff casually in front of him. "You don't want to fight me Pitch." he murmured, bringing his staff back to his side.
"YES I DO! I'd rather have you be your old self and hate me than this..this person. The Man in the Moon talked to me Jack." Pitch calmed down, but was breathing heavily.
Jack's shoulders tensed up. "..What?"
"He told me to save you. But I can't if you won't try to see reason." Pitch was gesturing with his hands tiredly.
"I'm better than ever. I feel so strong, now, than before. And apparently I am getting stronger, since I can control the nightmares and put children in a forever sleep. Why, I think I'm more frightening than you." he started to walk to Pitch. "The boogeyman? Get real, your just a big soft sap. It's pathetic, really."
Every moment that cruel smile was on Jack's face, Pitch felt a bit weaker. "If I am so pathetic.." Pitch started out strong. "..than why did you kiss me?" and dropped down again.
Jack stopped there, looking down. Eventually, he turned away. "Leave, Pitch. I can handle this on my own now. I won't make you do something you don't want to do."
Jack suddenly felt arms around his waist, and was being constricted. He looked down sadly, and Pitch held on for a very long time.
"Come with me, Jack. Just start over. Make everything right."
Jack looked back at the globe, darkly.
"No."
The next day, Pitch was laying in something that could be called a bed, staring at the wall. His eyes, usually a bright gold, now seemed dull. From everything, really. Stress, Jack, and the things he did were enough to make the man pull his hair out. Then there was last night..
After Jack had denied his offer to make everything right, Pitch advanced on him more aggressively and Jack complied. Skipping the details, they ended up 'together in bed' that night. Being immortal they don't sleep, but they can pretend to. Pitch never pretended to, but Jack did. He was to Pitch's left this morning, barely covered and turned on his side. They can pretend to sleep so well that Jack was pretty much asleep. He guessed a better term was that they couldn't dream.
Pitch rose out of the bed, wearing only something to cover his lower half, and took one look at Jack before leaving.
This wasn't right.
Even something he wanted more than anything tasted like vinegar.
"You promise to make me the Guardian of Halloween?"
All the gathered Guardians nodded.
"Trust me mate, they'll believe in ya. Halloween is strong and a looked forward to holiday. Also, we ask that ya kind of cease the unecessary tormenting of children outside of Halloween. Brings bad juju to our holidays." Bunny scratched his ear from where he sat in North's palm.
"I suppose this is okay. What of the Moon?"
Everyone looked to each other, and shrugged shoulders. "If he told you to save Jack, I'm sure he would be willing to make you a Guardian, Pitch." Toothiana spoke up.
Pitch nodded. "Well I cannot fight Jack, as all of you know. We at least have to have two of you have your powers back. I can help, as Jack did when the roles were reversed."
"Easter is close." Bunny murmured.
"Then we'll start there. Just tell me how to help and I will." Pitch had his hands folded behind his back.
This one is just meant to be a filler btw~
Thanks to those who reviewed! Reviews make me so happy and reminded me to upload these two chapters as I poop them out.
Enjoy!