Oh my GAAAAAAD. We're almost at the end! Only one more chapter, the epilogue, to go! Sorry if this seems rushed, it wasn't intended. I hope its a good chapter and I'm so thankful to everyone whose followed the series from the beginning.
Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 23: The Silver Man
It seemed a weight had lifted from Jo's chest when he awoke. The first thing he saw was the night sky; clear and inky blue, stars sparkling brightly above him. Thin, vapor like clouds drifted smoothly across the Moon, full and watchful as it had always been.
A soft spring night breeze ruffled his hair, and he sat up. A little away from him an odd patch of snow lay, where Jamie and his friend tossed snowballs at each other and the Guardians. Ayver and Hal stood among them, the jester of Halloween being a little too child-like with his ammo.
He hit Jack and Bunnymund at the same time, and dodged every other hit directed at him, whooping loudly.
Jo shook his head to himself- and jumped when he saw a familiar sprinkle of silver fall from his hair. He stood slowly, and saw his feet and his suit were again coated in the silver, dust-like sand. He smiled to himself, laughing huskily.
He looked over his shoulder and found that Genevieve was standing with her back to him, hands held before her. His brow creasing, he came forward to stand beside her.
At first he thought she was upset, and opened his mouth to say something. Then he saw someone else standing ahead of them.
The dark figure from before, the masked spirit Anguish, stood staring up at the moon; alone and quiet. Genevieve stood back and nodded towards him, looking at Jo.
For a moment the silver spirit remained where he was, then he slowly began to walk towards the shadow.
It was the longest walk he'd ever taken; each step pressed against the fading snow until his toes slid across soft grass.
Then he came to stand behind him. All the while, Alecvander ran through his mind. Standing alone in front of his shop; in the kitchen cooking bacon- the first kindness he'd seen in years that day. Alecvander dying on that bed, beside him.
Anguish turned his head, and that sharp face came with it. His expression still held that terrible sorrow; and for a moment it was hard to look at him.
"How...how long have you...been here?" Jo had to ask, softly and quietly. He was confused and uncertain, but...
Anguish smiled a little. "A long time. A very, very long time."
"For me?"
"For all of this. But yes...you, mostly."
Jo lowered his head. "I feel as if I should know you a lot more...and thank you for so much. You helped save me, after all..."
Anguish shook his head, slowly. "It was my duty...and really, it's you who's saved me now."
Jo shook his head, stiffly. "Alecvander...you..."
Anguish took a few steps forward away from him. Panicking, Jo reached out- and his hand slid through his shoulder. His eyes widened as blue lights, tiny like fireflies, began to drift upwards from his form.
The sounds of play ceased behind them, and the moonlight seemed to brighten. Jack stared, curious, and the Guardians did as well. Jamie tilted his head. "Huh..."
Jo reached out again, and Anguish turned around. The glowing sparkles raised from him, and slowly, his form began growing transparent. The outlines of his shoulders where see-through, his feet almost vanishing from the ground.
Ayver and Hal came stumbling forward, standing just a step behind Jo and Genevieve.
Anguish, in turn, reached out- and a cool air came to Jo's cheek as his fingers, translucent and bony, came to his face. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Wait...Anguish..."
"I sacrificed my life and existence in the lives of the ones I loved...but now it's at an end. Anguish tilted his head, smiling- but tears poured down those pale cheeks.
Genevieve, Ayver and Hal came forward, reaching for him as well. The fragments of light, blue and white, rose up towards the sky.
"Anguish, you can't go now!" Hal nodded in agreement to Genevieve's words. But the spirit shook his head.
"My time has come, I suppose. Now my brother and I shall meet again."
His eyes met Jo's. "Thanks to you. All of you."
Jo's knees felt weak. Alecvander...
His twin.
His brother.
"You died for him...but why? Why would you wait for me?"
Anguish, his form beginning to shine like the moonlight, merely smiled again and let out a shaky breath. "Our blood runs through your veins. Your eyes are just like...his."
And, as his form turned into a glowing figure of light, he reached out and pointed towards Jo's eyes. The light brightened up the street; against stone and grass. The Guardians and other beings raised their heads to watch as the light raised up in a flurry of blue and white dots; and disappeared into the sky. Genevieve, Hal and Ayver began to weep, and Jo just stood, frozen, his hands placed before him as Alecvander's brother was allowed to rest at last.
Anguish felt like he was floating. He felt warmth; real warmth, that he had not felt in centuries. And, as he opened his eyes, he found he was surrounded by a world of white, and the grass below him was golden and soft.
A figure stood in the distance, his size, and began to run towards him, calling for him. Too far away to see him over the golden field, but he knew who it was.
Behind him, Death stood. Anguish looked over his shoulder, curly black hair flopping, and watched his quietly. Then, the hooded head nodded, and Death turned away and let him be.
Anguish turned back to the sight before him and began walking along the field; like a tired man after work. The boy running towards him called again, his voice echoing over, caught by the wind of the white world.
"Angus! Angus!"
"Alecvander!"
And, after so many years, they fell into each other's arms once more.
"He's gone..."
Jack came to stand beside Jo as they stared up into the sky. He lowered his head after a while. "I didn't get a chance to thank him..."
"The Man in the Moon must have know him...if he knew Alecvander." North came wandering up to them, the Guardians in tow. Hal, Ayver and Genevieve stood back from them, distrust sparking in their eyes.
Then, Tooth's eyes met Genevieve's. Jo stared between the two of them, and all was silent. The girl's expression had frozen; she looked astonished- afraid, even. Tooth, however, looked unbelieving.
Her voice came out in a whisper. "It's you..."
Hal and Ayver gave a similtaneous, in total bemusement, "What?"
Then Sandman suddenly jerked around; spinning so suddenly everyone turned to see what he had seen. Standing in the shadows, scrambling to his feet, was Pitch. His teeth where bore in a snarl.
Sandman clenched his fists and the spirits inhaled alarmed breathes. Then, the fearling master fled from them. Jack and Sandman where the first to dart after him- then Genevieve and Jo.
Ayver and Hal remained with Jamie, pulling him back as he tried to go after him. The Guardians, along with the girl and Jo, chased after the dark figure- but as he threw a black bolt of sand at them, Sandy blocked it- and sent him slipping over the lake.
Then, Genevieve came to stand beside them; zipping over before the Guardians had come close to the edge of the frozen pool.
Pitch once again pulled himself to his feet, breathing hard and heavy. Dark blag lay under his eyes; he looked like a trapped beast, tired by fighting still.
Genevieve watched him with an almost menacing glare.
"Want me to meddle with your feelings now? Take your memories...?" Pitch sneered down at her, then put on a mocking smile.
"Oh, lovely, being threatened by an adorable child. You can't-"
THWACK.
Suddenly, dark blue sand sprung from the air and hit him in the chest, sending him sprawling on the ice again. He coughed, clutching his chest.
"You expect me to apologize...?"
"I want you to go away forever."
Pitch glared over his shoulder at her, darkly. "Just like all the rest..."
The Guardians surrounded him then, and Pitch dragged himself back onto his feet- only for Tooth to slap him across the face. He swayed, but didn't fall, and stared at her in slight shock.
"That's for stealing my fairies."
"Why run, Pitch? You are finished." North jabbed at him with his sword, and he began stepping back away from them.
"Nothing is finished forever. I'll return...I'll always be there."
"Yes." Jo pushed through the others, walking along the frozen floor as it where as slippery as dry concrete, "But the balance must be kept. Face it, Pitch- even the fearlings almost tossed you away when you got where out of control."
Pitch gritted his teeth.
The ominous call rang through the air. The sun was coming up behind the clouds; dim and grey. Nightmares; five of them at least, gathered around from above the hill and rocks. Pich sneered tat he smugly.
"Like I said. Nothing is finished."
Genevieve scowled. "Like the disappointment of the fearlings...Daddy."
And they sprung; the black creatures, led by the tall black horse, tinted with blue. The leading horse turned into a cloud, wrapped around Pitch's ankle- and dragged him back down to the depths. The Guardians watched in frozen alarm as Pitch clawed at the soil after being dragged from the ice. He gave once last yell of protest- and vanished into the darkness.
Genevieve waved. "Good job, Horsie."
The Guardians, Jack included, stared at her in total astonishment. Then, Jamie, Hal and Ayver came running to join them.
"Jack!"
Jamie came to stand beside the snow spirit, panting, "Is he gone...?"
Jack grinned crookedly. "I...think it's safe to say that."
The yetis had come to meet them as well- and one handed North a large book. He smiled broadly at Jack, nodding his head. "Now, Jack. Are you ready to be a Guardian?"
There was a silence. Hal began a quiet drum roll on Ayver head- until he was shaking away by his ears. Then, Jack smiled. "Yeah."
And so, as the sun of the early morning rose, North opened the book and began the vows, cheery and loud, and as they came to an end, Jack merely had to say one word.
"I will."
The book closed with a snap, and North hugged Jack tightly in a welcome, "And so, you are Guardian!"
A cheer rang about the lake, Sandman threw sand fireworks into the air and Hal thought it would be nice to douse Jack in colourful sparkles. Jo stood a few steps back, smiling.
The Moon had gone from the sky, and he supposed that he must be tired after the long night. Jack had to wait a long time to get the recognition he deserved...and Jo could no longer feel that odd ill-will he had before. He supposed he and Bunnymund had more in common than they realized.
Tooth spotted Genevieve just by the edge of the lake, shoulders hunched and fiddling with her fingers, head bent. She tilted her head and slowly fluttered over to her.
She knelt before the girl, and lifted her chin- and Genevieve stared up at her in alarm.
"My missing little self..." Tooth laughed a little to herself, overwhelmed, her eyes glistening. "I...I found you."
Genevieve stepped back. "I'm not you." She said plainly, fiddling with her fingers and pouting, "I'm me."
Tooth smiled gently. "I know."
And she reached out and pulled the small fairy into her arms, like a mother with her child, brushing the soft feathers on her head. Genevieve was frozen against the warmth, hear a heartbeat strong and steady against her ear.
She closed her eyes and hugged Tooth back- and all was well.
I've been waiting to write that bit ^^ Please review, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one, the epilogue, will be up before long!