Coming back to this now, the long-awaited chapter from a very mean and very lazy writer, I can't apologise enough.
"Cal!" Aliesha cried, shaking her brother by the shoulders. His head simply fell back. Jack pulled her away, resisting her attempts to return to Cal's side. "No, he has to wake up, he has to! Cal!"
"Aliesha, stop." Jack's heavy voice made her freeze. Tooth was cradling her firstborn, oblivious to the tears flooding her cheeks. Her hand repeatedly passed through Cal's hair, as though the white was dust and ash, concealing the true colours of it. Aliesha's chest tightened and she hiccupped, turning away, hiding her face in the crook of her father's arm. Jack put his other arm around her. The outer walls of the palace where in ruins. The ground had been torn up, coated in nightmares and ice. Fairies were gathering around them, some flying, some too exhausted to even stand, huddled on the floor. A few made their way to their queen, attempting to smooth her feathers, offering what little consolation they could, looking to each other helplessly. Cal was a brother to them too, he helped them, he protected them, he loved them.
And Aliesha had destroyed it all. This was her fault. If she had just stayed put, if she had just waited, Cal would be alright. He would be sat on her bed, ears covered and eyes shut, scared beyond all reason, but alright. Now she was without a brother, her parents without a son, the fairies without a guardian.
"Oh no..." Jack glanced to his left. Eve had arrived with his seasonal cousins. "No..." Eve breathed shakily. "No, this isn't right..." April and Amber were crying. Sky couldn't process it. Eve looked as guilty as Aliesha felt.
"Eve?" Jack asked, tone desolate.
"Manny said- he told me... he lied..." Aliesha sniffed, lifting her head a fraction. Manny...
"What did he say?" Sky's voice was as devoid as Jack's, unable to look away from her best friend's lost vibrancy. Eve took a trembling breath, holding her hands out, she meant no harm now or then.
"He told me Cal would survive the attack, he told me Pitch wouldn't go for Cal. Pitch wouldn't go for Cal... he just... it's not like him, Cal was... a- a work of art in Pitch's eyes, a fine example of... of fear-bred insanity. A token. From him to... to us. To remind us what happens if... if... to remind us what it's like when Pitch wins..." Aliesha scrubbed her arm across her face, stubbornly fighting the emotion. "This wasn't supposed to happen, what... why?"
"I came out to help." Aliesha admitted. "Cal came out to stop me."
"No." Tooth croaked. "He would never stop you." She locked eyes with her daughter. "He came out to help you." Tooth shook her head, more tears falling. "Cal knows... he knew we could take care of ourselves. But he couldn't let his little sister go against Pitch on her own." She whispered. "Oh, Cal..."
"Isn't there anything you can do?" Amber implored, addressing Jack. The winter spirit shook his head. Amber turned to Eve. "Pitch is your brother. What can combat his nightmares?"
"Sandy. But..."
"But what?" April squeaked. Eve hesitated. Tooth answered for her.
"Jack was killed by the darkness too." All eyes landed on Jack. "At least... until Pitch had use for him. If what Eve said is right... then... then Pitch doesn't have... a use for Cal. Not anymore."
"We're just going in circles!" Aliesha snapped. "Is there a way to bring Cal back or not?" No-one answered. She stomped her foot and shot up into the darkening sky. "Manny!" She screamed, rocketing through the clouds and glaring up at the stars. "Manny!" The moon seemed to stare at her with its craters and impressions, a knowing vibe throwing her senses. "Help Cal!" She ordered.
I cannot.
"Yes you can!"
What makes you think that? Aliesha glowered. Child, some matters are out of my control. There is nothing I can do.
"You're lying!"
Darkness has taken the boy.
"Darkness can give him back then!" Manny stayed quiet. "Or you could be helpful for a change! Make light or something, BRING HIM BACK!"
Make light? Why, Aliesha, it is not me who should make the light.
"What?"
Everyone has their own tunnels. Everyone has their own lights at the end of them. Cal's tunnel is shortening by the second, his light is dying.
"What are you saying? Are you saying there's still a chance?" Silence. "ANSWER ME!" But Manny didn't. Jack had followed her. "Dad..."
"What did he have to say?"
"Something ridiculous about tunnels and lights and-"
"Oh." Something seemed to occur to Jack. Aliesha started to speak, but he raised his hand, quietening her. He was looking down, scanning the clouds. Then he inspected the stars. "Dad? What is it?" Jack didn't respond, slowly drifting upwards, thinking. Aliesha buzzed to his side. "Dad, please talk to me." Jack's attention swivelled to the moon, his thoughts whirring faster the more that passed between him and Manny. He grew annoyed, angry, then determined.
Finally, he focused on his daughter.
"We need a star."