A/N: I can't even begin to say how sorry I am that this took so long. I don't know how much you guys know about depression, but it sucks. You have no energy or motivation to do anything you used to like doing. I've got it under control now, so hopefully I'll be writing a bit more frequently. I've got the bug to start writing again, but unfortunately I've got this other idea that won't leave me alone, so I might be spending a bit of time on that instead of this. But fear not! I will continue this story until it is finished!

Chapter 8: And Life Goes On

July 1970

"Meteorologists are reporting lessened snow fall all over the world. What storms occur have greatly diminished in strength. They are saying that if all continues as hoped, the unbelievable amounts of snow up north may finally begin to melt."

September 1970

"Scientists are saying that the increasing temperatures to the north are starting the melting process. However, due to large amount of snow all over the northern hemisphere, it is predicted that the increased water flow may cause flooding of the waterways. Governments are calling for anyone and everyone to join the workforce of men and women who have begun building the walls around cities most in danger of flooding. Others are beginning the process of shipping snow from the north to special plants that are turning the snow into safe drinking water for the whole world. Please join in this act, possibly the most important of our time."

December 1970

"Merry Christmas everyone. I hope that your day is going as smoothly as ours here at the station. The snowmelt has begun the process of flooding the ocean. As of now, the water level hasn't risen more than normal for most of the world. However, it is predicted that by the summer months that will change. If all goes as expected, we might be able to start moving north by next New Year's."

May 1971

"The first expeditions have reported back that most of Mexico has been freed of snow and as far north as Oklahoma is passable as normal winters for northern states. As expected, Florida is currently underwater. It is too early to know if this will be permanent. Good news though! Officials are in conference with scientists from around the world to discuss whether we can begin rebuilding yet. Everyone, keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best!"

October 1971

"Miraculously, native plants and animals have been preserved in the snow. Either Old Man Winter has a soft spot for nature or we may have other protectors of the Earth. As the push north continues, stranded families are being found somehow still healthy, claiming to have guardian angels watching over them throughout our longest winter in history."

December 1971

"It has now been a year and a half since anyone has reported a sighting of Old Man Winter. It is believed that whatever force brought him here took him back. Still, fear of him rages around the world. Children are put to bed with stories of who the being was who nearly destroyed us all. But now, we might be able to hope that those stories might be replaced with happier stories, the ones that we remember our parents teaching us about Santa and the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman. We have cause for hope this New Year's Eve that life will change and things may finally go back to a semblance of normal."

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Baby Tooth didn't know what to do anymore. It had been nearly two years since their encounter with Pitch and Jack hadn't moved a muscle since they arrived in their little cave in Antarctica. The cave had long since sealed up with snow and ice due to Jack's raging emotions, and a wind current had been trapped inside with them causing a whiteout within. The only light by which she could see was the light glowing of Jack's eyes and staff.

At first, she had tried to cheer him up by playing games. When that didn't work, she tried to get him to talk, to let out some of the self-hatred and shame. Now, all she could do was watch as crystalline ice fell from his glowing eyes to land at his feet, praying to the Man in the Moon for help.

XXXXXXXX

A figure watched from the shadows as gold sand drifted and formed images over the head of a sleeping child in Chad. The young boy was dreaming of playing football with his friends. He was just about to score, a wide smile across his restful face, when the figure stepped forward to touch the sand. It began to turn black, causing the images to warp the child to frown. The figure had a look of intense concentration on his face as he watched the change with glee in his eyes.

However, just before he gained full control of the sand, the dream slipped out of his control and the boy scored with his family cheering from the sides.

Pitch growled to himself. This had been the hundredth time he had tried this. He was getting closer at each turn, but he had yet to perfect the art of taking over a dream created by the Sandman. If it hadn't been so important to his plans to overthrow the Guardians, he would have given up a long time ago.

"I will get this right," he snarled as he melted back into the shadows to begin anew.

XXXXXXXX

Sanderson Mansnoozie had been floating over South Africa when he felt the tug of one of his dreams trying to turn into a nightmare. He knew that the children farther north had a harder time keeping their good dreams, but he did his best and sent a bit more of his dreamsand to the area to ensure good dreams for all the children that night.

Sandy was just about to move on to his next location when a small beam of light caught his eye. Looking to his right, he noticed a moonbeam that was bouncing around in his creations. A smile on his face, he watched as the playful little thing continued before remembering its purpose.

With the quick precision of every light wave, the beam came to rest on Sandy's shoulder, whispering in his ear.

Follow me! Follow me! You must come, Dreamweaver! You must!

And so, the Sandman found himself following a darting moonbeam further and further south. He was beginning to wonder if the Man in the Moon was sending him on a wild goose chase when the beam of light dived swiftly down and hovered over a pile of snow.

Unsure, Sandy descended and touched down over the barren wasteland that was Antarctica. Immediately as he touched the snow, he felt the all too familiar power of Old Man Winter. Fearing that that monster had buried someone alive in the snow, the little gold man formed a shovel with his sand to begin the dig into the cavern below.

He knew instantly when he reached the chamber for he was nearly knocked off his feet as a gust of wind, confined to such a small space for so long, rushed past him for the open air. Sandy cautiously lowered himself through the hole he had made for himself, his sand lighting the darkness around him.

Once he reached the bottom, however, he noticed a different light source. One he was very familiar with and had seen at the center of the winter storms that had ravaged the northern hemisphere.

As if to verify his thoughts, the moonbeam darted forward and began circling, to his horror, a winterized version of one of Toothiana's creations. The little tooth fairy stirred and opened her bright, ice blue eyes to stare in surprise at their visitor.

As Sandy just stood there staring, the moonbeam came back to rest on his shoulder to murmur Manny's commands.

Help. Help him.