Apologizing right now for the short chapter, but I had to cut it short because I've got to go to work. As always I hope you enjoy this chapter, I actually had fun with it. Please continue to leave your thought and reviews. I'm considering some of your ideas for the story as it progresses. Until next time!
Oh and btw, I've been told several times now that I switch between present tense and past tense, and it is an absolutely horrible habit that I've been trying to break. I don't even always catch it when I proofread, that's how bad it is. So if you notice it on any chapters I put up, let me know so I can edit it. Thanks!
Edit: To address the reviewer Carla, (because she's a guest I can't reply to her directly), you brought to my attention that Pitch calls Jack boy and it bothers you because he never did it in the movie. I respect your opinion, but Pitch in my story is not the same as he was in the movie. He's way more sinister and condescending, not that he wasn't in the movie, because he was, but I've brought it up a few notches. So Pitch calling Jack "boy" in my story fits his personality because he doesn't respect Jack in this story, not in the least, he just wants revenge against him and that's it. The desire to have Jack join him is gone because Jack rejected him already, so he's done with trying to win him over. I'm not going to be changing that either. So I hope this doesn't offend you. Thanks for your input though.
"On to next matter of business." North said as he stood from his chair. Bunnymund turned his attention back to the Guardian of Wonder, waiting for the Russian to tell them what their next move was.
"We must move the tooth boxes and the mini fairies here. I know we have let them continue to do their job, but it is too dangerous now. I do not know why Pitch has not attacked the teeth as he did last time, I assume it has something to do with his increasing madness, but we have to take advantage of it." North explained.
Bunnymund nodded carefully, "we need to protect the tooth boxes so we can help the kiddies keep believing, I gotcha. So I'll go fetch them then?"
North nodded, "yes, we only have a limited time before children stop believing even with Sandy's dreams and the tooth box's memories. We need to stand together here, just as we did during our last battle."
The Easter spirit glanced at the roaring flames of the fireplace again, trying his best to ignore how worried he was becoming at their chances of survival, at their chances of actually winning against the Nightmare King.
"I would have never imagined Pitch Black becoming this much of a threat this quickly, but you're right, if we fight together we have the best chance of winning against the bastard." Without another word Bunnymund's paw went to retrieve the blue stone that had saved their lives on more than one occasion. Gingerly he pulled it from his leather holster, turning it in his paws carefully, as if searching for its source of power.
"North, here, take this. I'd rather you hold onto it while I'm gone fetching the fairies and the tooth boxes, especially with Jack and Tooth still being all banged up." Bunnymund said as he walked over to Father Christmas, holding out the crystal in his paw so the man could retrieve it. North reached out one of his tattooed arms and took the crystal from the Pooka, "let's hope I don't have to use this while your gone." North said wearily.
"Yeah, let's hope not, but at least you have it if there's trouble." The pooka said as he turned and moved to the center of the room, tapping the ground with his large foot. Instantly a rabbit hole opened up, beckoning the Easter spirit to jump in.
"Bunny, be careful, Pitch may have been weakened the last time we saw him, but with his unstable condition…" North warned as the rabbit prepared himself to leave.
"Eh don't worry, I'm gonna stop by the warren to re-load on ammo, just in case I have any problems on my end." After those words left his mouth he jumped in, leaping through the network of tunnels at nearly lightning speed.
North watched as the pooka disappeared into the ground, the tunnel he jumped through closed as quick as it came, leaving no evidence that it was ever there to begin with.
It wasn't long before the ground sunk into the earth and a rabbit hole emerged within the warren. Warm air cascaded through the rabbit's pelt as he emerged from the ground. The scent of flowers and fresh spring air filled his nostrils. The sight of his home and the feeling of being there instantly soothed the Easter spirit.
"Guess I was more homesick than I thought." The Australian said to himself contently as he took in the sight of his domain. It was fine; everything was left untouched, much to his surprise. The more he thought about it, the more he wondered why the nightmares hadn't attacked the warren. "Maybe it's because Easter already passed last month…" He whispered thoughtfully.
The pooka was pulled away from his thoughts as the sound of thundering footsteps grew louder. The ground shook as disturbances grew more violent, the source of the noise coming from the various entrances of the warren. The Easter spirit smirked before turning to face the tunnels that led to different continents of the world. "Alright fellas settle down, I know you're excited to be home but that's no reason to so bloody loud."
The giant sentinel eggs that aided in the battle to save Nicolas St. North thundered out of the tunnel that led to the Pole, out into the grassy plains of their lush, flora filled home.
"I guess it's alright that you guys stay here, it's a good idea to have somebody stand guard at the warren." Bunnymund said as he hopped off to where he kept his storage of egg bombs.
"Get outta the way please." Bunnymund barked as clusters of plain white eggs flittered around his form. He dashed over the paint rivers and up one of the hills of the warren, stopping when he reached a stone opening in the side of one of the lush cliff sides. There, lying inside, were piles of bomb eggs.
"I guess a dozen outta just about do it." The rabbit warrior said to himself as he gathered the colorful bombs into his arms, latching them carefully on the leather strapped across his chest.
Turning around he got a long look at his home, knowing that it would probably be a while before he got to see it again. Silently he decided that when this was all over that he was going to make an effort to take a break and just relax in his home. 'If we survive anyways…'
Bunnymund took one last look at his treasured warren before tapping the ground beneath his feet, summoning a rabbit hole to open. He inhaled deeply, breathing in as much of the fresh air as he could, relishing the spring air that he loved. As he exhaled his features hardened. Not knowing what would be waiting for him at the Tooth Palace, he mentally prepared himself for a potential battle, and in one large leap he dove into the earth.
Long gray fingers drummed against the cool black marble. A chuckle rattled through the empty darkness. Yellow eyes glared into the shadows, fingers wrapped tightly around his black staff. Slowly the fingers playing against the armrest of the throne moved, brushing tenderly against the still bleeding wound on the Nightmare King's chest. The master of shadows sighed happily, examining the thick coppery liquid that coated his fingertips. "It has been such a long time since I've seen my own blood…" He said almost sweetly.
"I was beginning to wonder if I still had any, if my body really did have heart pumping blood through its veins. It's refreshing to know I'm still alive in that manner." The Nightmare King said to himself with a smile on his raven lips. The angry neighing and howling of fearlings echoed from the depths of the throne room, their yellow orbs glistening in the dark. "Calm down my fearlings, your lust for fear will be quenched. Even as I speak the children of the world are falling further and further into fear. I can feel my power growing with every hour that passes, and those Guardians have done nothing so far to stop it."
Flashes of each of the Guardians injured forms flowed through Pitch's mind, bringing about another twisted smile on his lips. "I must say, out of all the fun I've had with the Guardians, the winter spirit has been the best toy. It will be wonderful, watching him finally break, watching them all break as they realize they don't stand a chance against me."
Another wild laughter filled the dank air of the room as Pitch Black rose from his throne. The tapping of his feet echoed outwards as he walked forward, eyes glinting manically ahead.
"Jack Frost is in for another surprise…those scars on his back aren't just for decoration…let's see if those Guardians can still protect you from me, boy…"