Chapter 11: Wishes
Yumiko's pov
I can feel the spark of my life fading away...
I can feel myself being pulled down into the depths of darkness itself.
The light is fading away.
I am now going under...
Going under...
There's so many things I want to.
I want to go trick or treating with Jamie and Sophie.
Celebrate Christmas with dad.
Go Easter hunting...
But what I regret the most is to see daddy not smiling on the last day of my life.
It was the most painful thing that I ever felt.
Regret. Pain. Sorrow. All together combine becomes despair to me.
Suddenly, a woman with long and wavy hair appeared to me. She held my hand slowly pull me near to the light.
"Yumiko, never lose hope. Believe in yourself and see the wonder in everything. Remember all the memories you had with your love ones. Believe in the radiance within you. Fear not. Sing at the top of your lungs and your presence will be known," she said softly as she patted my head. Her voice was so soothing and felt so nostalgic at the same time. Have we met before? As she was slowy dissappearing from my sight into dust, I heard someone playing a melody,... a song...
"Sing...," said the lady as she fade away. I nodded and closed my eyes. Listening to the song carefully. It was the song that dad taught me.
"Believe in all that be...A miracle starts whenever you dream," I sang. And then, I felt myself being pulled into light closer than before. To my surprise, I opened my eyes and find myself still breathing. On the snowy ground with my blood and surrounded by the Guardians and dad... crying... holding me in his arms.
"Thank goodness, you're alive!" he cried as he embrace me. I cough a little blood out but smiled anyway. I was just so glad to be alive. But who was the lady with long black wavy hair and long yet pretty face. I really need to thank her...
Normal pov...
Yumiko was in a coma state. Due to Ombric's regret, he offer Santoff Clausen as a place to nurture Yumiko back to health. Everyday, Pitch would read pictures book to her. Jack and Tooth would be there to listen too. Her brunette hair turned red on that day and so she was known as the Scarlet-Girl by the children of Santoff Clausen. From time to time the children of Santoff Clausen would come to visit her and brush her hair. Being in a coma state for quite a while, Yumiko's hair has grown longer and over her shoulder.
Pitch didn't want to cut her hair as he thought she will be pretty and girlier with that new look. He always imagine that once Yumiko will wake up from the deep slumber she'll like to play 'Rapunzel'. Jamie and Sophie who always waited for Yumiko to come and visit them for 12 days got curious so they asked Jack. When Jack explained what happen, tears ran down their cheek especially Sophie who sees her as a big sister.
Every Saturday, the kids from Burgess visits her with stories to tell. Cupcake well,.. talk about ponies, Claude and Caleb will be talking about Pokemon and all the boyish stuff, Pippa telling her what they'll do after she'll wake up,... Jamie telling the fun time he had with Jack.
"I wish you were there. It's different without you!" he usually said as he tried to back the tears.
But Sophie was the saddest of all.
She reads Sleeping Beauty everytime she visits.
She always hope that a handsome young prince would come and wake her up.
Sitting and waiting beside her for the charming prince.
April 26th
Sophie came running through the halls carrying various picture books and a bunny-like soft toy with her. As she enters the room, she puts the books beside her and began to read Sleeping Beauty once again.
"Do you know that today is hug a friend day? So I brought and he will hug you the whole day!" said Sophie as she put beside Yumiko.
"But Cupcake is having problem making new friends lately. Many people thinks she's a bad girl but you all people know that Cupcake is good girl! I wish people sees shes a good girl who loves ponies," she continued.
"And I also wish I can sing on the act tomorrow. Tomorrow is Tell A story day and... and... I was choosen to be the Easter Bunny and I need to sing... Bunny-bunny said I can do it but I can't.. Please be there for me!" she said.
April 27th
For Cupcake, going to school was a horror. Everybody thinks that she's nothing but a school bully and a scary girl. Cupcake always hide her true feelings as she didn't want people to think she weaks. She love ponies but she doesn't want to laugh at her. Everybody thinks she doesn't love all the girly stuff. It'll be too late for her to change, she thought. Then, on the way to class, she saw a new girl picking up her books on the floor. Cupcake wanted to help her but she doesn't want to scare the new girl. So she decided to just ignore her and walk away... until a voice call her.
"Cupcake,... just say whatever your heart say," said the voice.
"But...she'll never be friends with.. she won't like me," said Cupcake softly.
"Just close your eyes, the sun is going down,...You'll be alright,... no one will hurt you now...," the voice sang. Cupcake feeling a little brave, went back to help the new girl.
"Thanks. What's your name?" the new girl asked.
"My name's Cupcake...," she answered hesitantly.
"My name's Abigail by the way! Wanna be friends?"
"What! I mean... yes," said Cupcake. As they walk along the school hall together, it was a start of a new friendship.
At the kindergarden, a show was going to be presented that night. Everybody was busy getting ready for the act, the background and the costumes. The star of the play was the Easter Bunny played by Sophie. She was suppose to be there for the last recital but she hide herself in the crate backstage. Being small and all, she's easily overlook and so she took opportunity on her size.
"Shy-girl... how am I suppose to sing. Can't stand with people looking me. Now I the shy girl, huh?"
"Sophie, never fear, never fret. Face the music with a brave face," said a voice.
"Um,...whoever that is... I'm a little scared. What if my singing is bad?"
"Oh you can be what you wanna be. See what you wanna see .Believe in yourself, just believe in yourself," the voice sang. Sophie feeling more confident in herself got out of the crate and went for the recital.
June 14th
Pitch was sitting beside Yumiko. Watching her in a coma state wasn't easy for him at all. Being a protective father, he seems to blame whatever happen to her is his fault. Holding on to her hand was the last time he remembered when Yumiko was still alive. He missed the moment when Yumiko wake up and exclaimed 'Good morning, daddy!' every morning. The warm smile she always had that melt his heart. The sparkling eyes full of wonder. The determination in her soul. That was what keep him moving on... But now all seems lost...
He remembered all the things she said to him before...
"Goodnight, daddy...,"
"Does that mean you're my daddy now?"
"It's not a bad thing really. At least I believe in you and that's why I can see you... I'll tell you what happen and you'll know that it's not really your fault,"
"So if I put all my teeth under my pillow tonight, she'll come?"
"Daddy! Daddy! Toothfairy is real! Look! I got sprinkles of sapphire bits, candies and few silver coins,"
"You're not coming with us, daddy?"
"Huh? Why? You promised me!"
The last part... You promise...
"Yumiko,... I'm sorry! Please forgive... Your wish.. your last wish was to play snowball with me... but...," said Pitch as tears began to fall. He cried and cried as he hold her hand. Jack who wanted to visit Yumiko stop wait outside of the room,... listening to Pitch crying.
"I should have protected you...," said Jack to himself. All the Guardians, the kids and even Pitch regretted everything especially Ombric for it was he who pierce through Yumiko's heart. Ombirc sat in the library asking for MiM's help ever since that day but the moon had been clouded for many months now.
July 1st
In the early morning of 1st July, Pitch as a father went to the room and sat beside her daughter. He wipe her forehead with a cloth and smile seeing her hair growing longer, reaching her waist. Then, he noticed something. Yumiko, even being in a coma-state, was being in a deep slumber,.. so peaceful. He chuckle a bit and wondered if he should call her 'Sleeping Beauty' from now own. He finally agreed with Sophie.
"When I look into your eyes. It's like watching the night sky or a beautiful sunrise there's so much they hold,...I won't give up on us. Even if the skies get rough. I'm giving you all my love.. I'm still looking up," Pitch sang.
"I miss you, Yumiko," he said softly. He then left her to his lair for a moment.
Few minutes later, Yumiko began to twitch. Her hands moving and eyes slowy opening. The golden sun shines bright on her fair skin. Yumiko gets up and look around, wondering where she is but the first thing she said was:
"Daddy...where are you?"
Waking up from a coma,... she was having some sort of amnesia-like moment. At first she only remembered Pitch, who adopted her... then comes Jack, the spirit of Winter in her memory,... Tooth, the hummingbird-like being, …. then all of a sudden memories started to come back to her. Showering onto her and she realized that she nearly died on that snowy night.
"Yumiko... come here... follow my voice...," said a voice. It was the voice that was calling her, pulling her back to the light that night. Yumiko feeling curious like a cat got out of bed and follow the voice. She walk along the quiet halls and only her footsteps could be heard.
"Here... you're getting closer now...," said the voice. And Yumiko reached a massive door. She touch the door and it began to glow as it open for her. She arrived at Ombric's library and her eyes was fill with wonder as she saw the huge collections of books from ancient times.
As she walk deeper into the library, each book in every bookcase glows as she pass them. When she was in the center of the library, certain books began to swirl around her forming a tornado. Her scarlet hair and golden eyes began to glow brighter making every book glow as bright as hers. Until one book with leather-hard-cover came towards her and flipping the pages for her until it stopped at page 386.
Her face and name began to appear on that page...
"Yumiko Nanami-Wayne-Pitchiner,
The Arrow Child of Seven Seas,
36th Chimera,
Guardian Apprentice,
Born on July 1st, 2005,
Revived on March 22" she read outloud. Curious of what's happening, she flip through the pages. It was fill with the past life of the past who call themselves Chimera. Then, someone came in and to Yumiko's surprised, it was Ombric.
"You're-a-awake! You're awake!" shouted Ombric. Yumiko scared and terrified with the old man who pierce through her heart decided to run away from him as fast as possible.
"Wait! Don't!" shouted Ombric as he tried to stop her. Yumiko was able to avoid him and pass through him so easily. Ombric tried to catch her but she was too fast or that Ombric is just to old. She run across the halls and went out of Big Root and hide herself among the bushes in the forest.
Jack who just came for a visit in Santoff Claussen after bringing Winter to other parts of the countries was on the way to see Yumiko. Ombric rush and the two bump into each other.
"Hey, old man! Watch it!" shouted Jack. It's so obvious that he's still mad at Ombric for doing something that horrible to Yumiko.
"You watch your tongue, young man. Help me get up. That Scarlet-Girl is running away!" said Ombric.
"What? She's awake?" asked Jack as he offer his hand to Ombric.
"I guess she was surprised to see herself being here and me being here at the same time,"
"Can't blame her. You hurt her in the first place," commented Jack as he swiftly search for her.
"ugh,... Younglings...," sighed Ombric as he too went to search for her in the other side of Big Root.
In the forest, a ghostly temptress with a beguiling smile guards the area. She was adorned with what seemed like glittering gems, she could curse the intruders into a stone statue for eternal and yet she can also show kindness to those who are pure of heart. The Spirit of Forest felt a presence of something she wasn't familiar with. She followed the scent of the little girl.
There she saw among the bushes was a little girl with long red hair on the ground whimpering as the girl hugs the leather hard cover book. Yumiko looks at the spirit's eyes glowing, glistening, greener than the emeralds of the Sultan of Constantinople. Yumiko looks at her amazed as if she was made of jewels. Her shimmering veils, laced with tiny gemstones, shifted and floated around her, as if moving to a breeze that only the spirit can feel.
"Don't hurt me," said Yumiko as she was traumatized being pierce by Ombric's sword.
"I... I will never hurt you," said the spirit as she came close to Yumiko. Yumiko look at her and believe what she said.
"Don't let the old man get me," she said. The Spirit knowing who she meant patted her head to calm her down.
Baby Tooth arrived at Santoff Clausen few minutes later and meet up with Jack. He told her to tell the Guardians the good and bad news as soon as possible. She then flew to deliver the messages. Tooth who was like a mother figure to Yumiko was worried sick that she flew to Santoff Claussen as soon she got the message. Pitch too came with his shadows. Bunnymund hop through his underground holes while North with his sleigh and magic snowglobe.
Back at the forest, Yumiko slept soundly on the Spirit's lap as she gently stroke Yumiko's forehead. The Spirit sang a lullaby which made her feel relax. Tooth flying and passing through the forest look around for Yumiko there. She flew around calling out for Yumiko's name like a worried mother.
"Yumiko! Yumiko! Sweetie, where are you?" she shouted. Yumiko heard her name being call out slowly open her eyes and rub her eyes.
"Tooth? Is that you?" Yumiko said. Though she said in a quiet voice it was enough for Tooth to here. Tooth follows her voice and swiftly flew towards it. Yumiko got up and waited for Tooth. As Tooth saw Yumiko in the flesh, she dives in and hugs Yumiko in her arms.
"Thank God! You're okay" she cried.
"Tooth!" was what Yumiko only said. She was so glad that she could meet someone she remembers. Tooth thank the Spirit and brought Yumiko back to Pitch's care. When they arrived at Big Root, Yumiko ran towards Pitch and embraced him.
"I miss you," said Pitch. Yumiko smiles and kiss his cheek in her way of saying 'Me too!'
"You got me so worried, lil sis!" said Jack. When Ombric came forward to apologize, Yumiko back away and hide behind her father in fear at first but she open up to him and forgives in the end. In return for his mistake, Ombric will be giving her free magic which Yumiko accepted in free will.
Seeing the other Guardians are busy, only Tooth accompanied Yumiko and Pitch back to the lair.
As they open the door to her room, Yumiko was amazed to see her room not as what she remembered.
There are all new furniture. No more old couch with holes. There are adjustable bookcases that can be hung on or placed on the floor. A TV bench on castors and an LCD TV. A flowery hand-carved rug, bean bag and few soft toys on the floor. A solid wood coffee table with a stained, clear lacquered solid spruce. A glass chandelier that could that your breathe away. A big antique chest box. A sivik pink-red corner sofa that is 92% cotton and 8% polyester. A Queen size bed frame and a Queen size mattress.
Yumiko went up on the bed and felt the soft mattress. She rolls over many times which made the other two laugh.
"I told you she would love it," said Tooth.
"Fine, you were right all along!" said Pitch as he sat on her bed.
"Thanks dad!" said Yumiko as he hugs him. At that moment, Tooth said 'Awww...'
"Oh! This is so exciting! There's so many things that we can do today!" exclaimed Tooth.
"Yeah! I'm so fed up sleeping already. I mean three months is enough!" said Yumiko.
"Then, I advice you to go out. I bet Jamie and Sophie will be happy to see you," said Pitch as he open the door for her.
"Really, dad?"
"As long as Tooth will be by your side. Don't leave her side like Jack did, Tooth,"
"All right, I promise. Come on Yumiko, before your dad change his mind," said Tooth as she took her hand and swiftly flew out of the lair.