Okay I really mean it this time when I say I won't make you guys wait so long for the next chapters. Anyway, here's fourteen. Enjoy!
Chapter Fourteen: United Against All Odds
[3rd Person POV]
Adelia sat on the edge of the landing platform waiting for Summer to return from his dangerous plan. It still bothered her the fact that she had been excluded from the plan even though she could've played a useful part in it. And now here she was, worrying over someone that she had only known for a month or so as if she'd known him her whole life. It was ridiculous but, she couldn't stop herself. So she stared at the bright sunny sky and waited to see that golden beam of light that would be him.
After a few minutes of waiting though she saw something in the sky, but it was not what she'd been hoping for. From a distance it looked like a large raven but as it came closer and closer to the Cloud Palace it became clear what it was. It was Pitch advancing quickly and straight towards her.
Quickly she got to her feet and took up her staff, yelling loudly for the other Guardians to come quickly. Then she prepared herself just in case Garret's plan hadn't worked and Pitch was here to attack the rest of them. However, as he neared she threw her staff aside and ran forward; she saw the figure of the Guardian of Summer in his arms.
Opening the barrier that WiS had put up she let the boogieman in and watched as he landed, careful of the other he towed. Re-closing the sun shield Adelia ran over just as Pitch released hold of Garret who was trying his best to stand on his own. That didn't last long though as he took a step towards the palace and fell back into the arms of his odd rescuer.
She almost asked what was wrong but thought otherwise and simply went next to him and pulled his arm over her shoulder. Then she told Pitch to help her get him to the Sun Room so that she could address his injuries. The boogieman looked over with his new eyes and nodded. Then the two began walking to their destination.
[3rd Person POV]
Eros and M.N. were in the library with the others, silently waiting for news of either Garret's success or his failure. Jack was sitting next to Hilaria and Autumn, trying to make the best of the situation. Toothiana was fluttering and talking to several different fairies and taking care of her business. North, Bunnymund and the two eldest Guardians were all making small talk as Sandy sat next to them, interjecting every once in a while with a symbol. Then, there was WiS, sitting on the sill of the big window with eyes glowing a deep red and her usual gold color replaced with a dark dull orange. She, out of all of them, was the most worried and the least pleased about Garret's plan and the fact that the others let him go through with it.
Of course with the room in such a tense mood it was obvious that almost everyone was startled when Christian came flying in shouting for Eros. Confused he rose to his feet quickly and asked the Cherub what was wrong. The news he received was both a relief and reason to be excited.
"Garret has returned with Pitch. They're in the Sun Room with Adelia right now." He said, his blond hair falling into his eyes.
Before anyone could blink WiS was up and out of the room in a flash of sudden light, rushing off to see the Guardian of Summer. Everyone stood and followed as well, all anxious to see the result of the plan. Upon reaching the sun room they saw exactly what Garret had hoped to achieve. He was not only back and alive but Pitch was there as well and he was changed, both physically and in mentality.
While WiS and Adelia sat by the Guardian of Summer Hilaria went over to the boogieman and said "hello" quietly. He looked up at her with his clear gold eyes and instead of replying all he could do was pull her into a tight hug. None of the other Guardians were close enough to hear him say how sorry he was for attacking her and the others for so long. With a warm smile she told him it was alright and returned the embrace, feeling content and pleased that she had her father back.
As the father and daughter hugged and smiled the rest of the Guardians smiled, glad that everything had worked out. Well, that was how they thought until WiS stood from the bed and went over to the two. Pitch, who had noticed her approaching, pulled away from Hilaria and stood up to greet the Woman in the Sun. She stood before him and watched as he knelt down in front of her, his face solemn and serious.
"Well Kozmotis, you've come a long way out of the dark shadows. And all for the Guardian of Summer. Why? Why risk it all for him?" WiS asked him.
"Well…because he believed in me, or what I can be I should say. No-one ever has and never offered. He, however, risked all he had to reach out to me and surprisingly convince me that I didn't have to be the way I was. I can be like him; still unnoticed but not alone. I have a daughter and if they'll take me, I have the Guardians." Pitch explained to her.
"And what did he believe you can be?"
"Good; that I could help people instead of spend my eternity being miserable and getting kicks out of tormenting people. He explained how fear can save lives instead of destroy them. And sadly it is only now that that idea had crossed my mind. So I beg for forgiveness from you and everyone else here in this room."
With that Pitch lowered his head and waited for hers and the responses of the other Guardians. They were all silent for a long moment, shocked at his words and how kind he'd suddenly become. Strangely enough, it was Bunnymund that broke the quiet. Hopping over next to him he rested a paw on his shoulder.
"I'm not all that happy with what ya've done in the past and how many times we've had to clean up after ya. But, it takes a lot of courage to come up here and ask for us to forgive you. And, as corny as this sounds, I can feel the true hope you have for wanting to start over…and the hope that sunspot gave you. So I forgive Pitch and I pray you won't let us down." Bunnymund told him in an oddly understanding voice that he didn't use too often.
Toothiana was next to go over to him, and with a warm smile stood next to him with Sandy close behind. Following next was the three oldest Guardians and finally the newest and youngest. Hilaria then kneeled next to her father and put a reassuring arm on his shoulder. He looked to her and seeing her grin and stand up, Pitch rose to his feet, feeling an odd warm sensation as he was surrounded for once with people that supported him.
WiS could only watch as the Guardians old and new came together for the one that had be in the dark for so long and finally found his way to the light. They all looked to her, waiting for the final verdict of whether the reformed Pitch could stay or not. She pondered this for a moment and, after looking back at the Guardian of Summer and Protector of Families, she unfolded her arms and turned her attention back to the small group in front of her.
"Kozmotis…or Pitch as you now go by, if you have truly changed then I forgive you for all you have done which is a difficult thing for me to do especially since many of your quarrels were with my Guardians. Do not make me regret giving you this second chance, alright?" She told him, ending with a question.
Almost speechless Pitch answered, "Of course. I will not fail you, or anyone else here."
"Good. Now, I must be off. I healed Garret and all his ailments so he should be right as rain when he wakes. However, I am too weak to stay away from my home any longer. I also will not be able to help you when you fight Kuroi but I wish you the best of luck."
With that she went past the Guardians and prepared to leave, only to pause and look over at Eros and say, "Also, Eros, I'm so happy for you and M.N. It's about time you two got together." Then she left in a ray of bright golden sunlight. When she was gone all of the other Guardians decided that it would be a good idea for them to begin planning their fight against Kuroi and to let Garret rest. Adelia was the only one who stayed behind and said she would catch up with them as soon as the Guardian of Summer woke up.
Once she was alone Adelia looked down at the sleeping form, moving a few strands of blond hair away from his eyes. There was something about him that was ever-so familiar but, she couldn't place why. Then again, she shouldn't be surprised; there were a lot of things she couldn't quite place, like how she came to be, who she was before, or where she was from. All she had was her name, and even that she'd never been too sure about.
With a sigh she stared down at the familiar face and said sadly, "I have all the imagination in the world at my hands and yet none of it and its' many stories can help me remember you or myself. Why?"
Yay! I finally got around and finished this chapter! My God the wait was ridiculous! Anyway, hope you enjoy even though it was a mush fest. But hey, it's gotta happen sometime right? Right? So yeah, R&R and the next chapter will be up soon after this.
