~Chapter 15~

Ember came stumbling out of the shadows clutching her wound, her face contorted with pain. She didn't expect travailing to hurt so much, hopefully she didn't open her wound. Ember took a deep breath and took a quick glance around the lair. Pitch was pacing around his globe, looking sullen and irritated. Ember shook her head and smiled, it was just like Pitch to barricade himself from others.

Ember quickly strode up to Pitch, not caring anymore if her wound opened back up. Pitch stopped dead in his tracks, a confused and bewildered look spread across his face.

"Ember? Why ar-" Ember cut him off as she threw her arms around him, giving him as big of a hug she could manage.

"Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?" Ember demanded, her eyes filling to the brim with tears.

Pitch got down on one of his knees to match Ember's height. He gently pulled her off of him and looked at her. He never expected Ember to choose a life with him, why would she when she could be safe and happy with the Guardians? No one ever chose the boogeyman, who would? Ember began to feel like Pitch really didn't want her here, that she was just in the way. She lowered her head and let a tear fall openly.

But Pitch gently cupped her chin in his hand and brushed off the tear. He smiled to the best of his ability and pulled her back into an embrace, lightly stroking her long hair.

"Why did you come back? You know it's not safe here. You could have been happy with the Guardians." Pitch asked.

"You really thought I wouldn't come back? ... Your my father, I could never leave you. Not after all you have done for me, not after all we have been through. I don't care about being safe, I just want to be by your side." Ember sobbed. "But if you want me to leave, I would understand..."

Pitch felt his heart throb, was this what being loved felt like? What being wanted felt like? It was a strange and new feeling to Pitch, he didn't really understand it. It was not fear, nor hatred. But... a good feeling, a happy feeling. Was it even possible for Pitch to feel like this?

"Your my daughter, of course I want you around. I just didn't want you to get hurt anymore." Pitch explained.

"Leaving you would have hurt me more than any blade or bullet could." Ember smiled through tear stained eyes. "Now, please do me a favor and never leave me again."

"I promise I wont sweetheart." Pitch promised as he released Ember from his embrace. "I'm surprised the Guardians actually let you leave though."

"I was gone really before they could stop me. Besides, I think they understood well enough." Ember explained. "Though the Pooka insisted that I be careful and don't open my wound back up."

"Speaking of your wound, your a mess. Here, close your eyes." Pitch insisted. Ember obeyed and closed her eyes as Pitch enveloped her in a mass of nightmare sand.

After a couple of seconds the nightmare sand ceased and fell back into the shadows. Pitch smirked as he stood back to admire his fashions designs, he had to admit that even though he was the Boogeyman he could create a killer dress. "Okay, open."

Ember opened her eyes to find herself newly clothed in a new flowing black dress like the last one. But this one was different. The corset was was gold with black lace designs flowing through it that highly resembled nightmare sand. In fact, the gold sparkled like Sandy's dream sand. It perfectly matched her eyes. Ember smiled and gave a twirl, admiring how the dress emitted tiny gold and black dream particles as she spun.

"I still haven't forgotten that you are capable of both nightmares and good dreams." Pitch reminded Ember. Ember felt a stab of guilt, she had completely forgotten about that. "However, that makes you ten times as dangerous." Pitch gave a malicious smile, and Ember returned one.

But something swam in the back of Ember's mind. She owed the Guardians for saving her life, so she couldn't take them down just yet. How could she explain this to Pitch? He would think that she was actually beginning to like them. But somehow Pitch seemed to read her mind, he owed the Guardians as well. What a better way to repay them than to keep them from being destroyed... for now that is.

They both nodded in agreement for the time being. Ember would have to push her plans back for now. However, she did need some more training in fighting. Pitch would teach her how to perfect her attacks, and add in some better tactics. But that would have to wait until Ember had completely healed, Pitch didn't need Ember bleeding out to death again.

They both went and paced around the globe as Pitch caught Ember up on what happened while she had been unconscious. How Bunnymund helped save her life, how worried he had been. But the topic soon changed to new plans for the future and what was to come. It was just as North had said, everything was going to be alright. Or... was it?

Here ends the heroic and tragic story of Ember Black. Through happy and emotional times, we finally reach our end. But do not worry! This is not the last you will see of Ember and Pitch. Be prepared for their next thrilling adventures in their exciting squeal A Darkening Heart! Please tell me what you think, leave reviews! ^.^