Chapter 5

(Ivy's P.O.V.)

Exams and Meetings

"Alright class, keep your eyes on your own paper, and do the best you can. You may begin as soon as you get your exam." Bunnymund announced as he slowly handed out our mid-term exams. It covered the early history of the Lunar kingdoms, and other miscellaneous topics we had covered over the year. Hopefully Lauren and I studied hard enough for this exam that we might actually pass.

Lauren and Alberto shot me a worried glance, and I returned one. I'm not sure Alberto studied for the exam, but I could tell he was worried about it. In fact, the entire class seemed at unease about this exam.

I got my exam and passed the extra copies to my peers next to me. I instantly scanned through it to see what questions Bunnymund had put on the exam. There were defiantly some I didn't remember, but for the majority it looked easy enough. I turned back to the front page and instantly began.

'What is the name of the famous ship that the Lunanoff family used to hide from Pitch Black and his Fearlings? What does it transform into?' The first question asked. Easy, this was one of the first things I ever completely memorized. It was the Moon Clipper, and it turns into our Moon. I had always found this interesting that our moon has always been a ship in disguise.

'Who are the loyal crew of the Lunanoff family?' The second question asked. This on I have always had trouble with. I could never remember the name of their crew. But I know they are robots... Moonbots maybe? I'm pretty sure that's correct.

'What are five other famous houses of the Golden Age besides the Lunanoff House?' Another question asked. Crap, I never memorized these. I think maybe the Pookas were one, but I highly doubt that. Damn, there goes five points.

The questions slowly became harder and more detailed asking for very specific answers. I glanced at Bunnymund with the greatest curiosity. How is it he is able to remember all this information from over 3,000 years ago at the least? I know he is a Pooka and all who can time travel and had helped create the Egg Of Creation and all, but man! He knows basically everything! I think he is about the same age if not a tad bit older than Pitch to know all this information. Though Sandy has no age... I wonder who is the oldest of the three?

It took over thirty minuets to answer all the questions on the exam, by the time I was done I felt as if i had been physically beat up. Now for North's and the Pitch's, probably some of the hardest ones today. I don't know if i will survive this...

Once the bell rung we all turned in our test. Lauren and Burt headed to Katherine's class while I headed to Jack's. His test was quite easy since he cared more about having fun that schooling, seeing as how he causes kids to have to get out of school once in a while for a snow day. He made the test around twenty questions, and very easy ones at that. Like, common knowledge. If only every teacher here was like Jack, our lives would be like ten times easier. Alas, they are not.

North made his brutal. He let us choose our type of sword thankfully. I got the Abominable Mood Swing as my choice sword. It was a bit lighter and had more accuracy. Plus it made me feel incredible cool. North set up a system like a fighting match, each time we won we leveled up. The one who beat everyone, got a one- hundred and five. Second place, one -hundred. Third place, ninety five and so on and so forth.

I watched as Alberto won his first round, but after that he was set up against Lauren. She beat him with only a couple swing of her sword until Alberto's Dinner Knife was knocked out of his hand. Sadly, me and Lauren were both winning the same amount of rounds, until we were set up against each other as the last round. I was happy that she was going to get a good grade quite honestly, but I know that she was probably a batter swordsman than me, plus she was using the Knuckler... I'm done for.

North set us up on the mats that the yeti's had set out, and gave the word to go. We bowed and held our swords aloft. Lauren gave me a side ways smile, and made the first attack. I side stepped her, barley missing her swing. Then I attacked back. My advantage is that my sword is smaller, hers is bigger and a bit harder to wield. So I held my sword across my body, and lunged forward. Lauren swung, and I quickly blocked. I counter attacked, aiming to knock the sword out of her hand, but she dogged and rolled over to the other side of the mat.

I took the advantage of a delay and and swung hard, twisting her sword out of her hand. But Lauren, as quick as a rabbit, somehow caught it and came back at me.

"You know you have to tutor me sometime!" I shouted at Lauren as I blocked her.

"My pleasure! I hope we can get this counted as a tie!" Lauren shouted back as he blocked my attack.

We laughed, and went back to being serious. We continued to attack and block for at least a good ten minuets, until I got un-lucky. I failed to doge one of her attacks and got my arm sliced. She took the advantage and knocked my sword out of my hand. But right away she dropped hers and rushed over to me.

"North! We need to get her a bandage or something." Lauren panted as she gently grabbed my arm and looked at it. My arm was dripping with blood, but it didn't hurt as bad as it looked. North rushed over and took a better look at it.

"It is but a scratch. A deep scratch might I say, but it shall be fine. Come! Let's get this all cleaned up." North reported as he helped me to his office where he bandaged me up. Right as he finished the bell rung, and everyone abandoned the gym.

Lauren accompanied me as I rushed out of North's office and up to Pitch's class. Her eyes looked red and her face swollen. I felt so bad for her, so I had to stop her before we went into Pitch's class.

"I hope you know it wasn't that bad. I promise I am fine, besides it was just an accident." I smiled as I looked her in the eye.

"Ivy... I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to go so far. you should have won..." Lauren stammered as a tear rolled down her cheek. I gently wiped the tear from her face and hugged her.

"Hey, you deserved to win. Don't you ever tell yourself otherwise. Besides, like North said. The cut will be fine, tis' but a scratch!" I sang. Lauren laughed and pulled herself out of the hug.

"I'm sorry Ivy... Now let's get to Pitch's class so we can get this horrendous exam over!" Lauren declared. We smirked at each other and dashed to the class room right before the bell rang.

Everyone looked frightened and stressed. We all had our notes out and were taking a last chance glance when Pitch strode out of a shadow. He was holding a big stack of paper and looked rather happy to see all the distressed faces anxiously waiting for the exam ahead.

Pitch had his fearlings distribute the papers and paced up and down the rows of desks, furthering the unease of us. He personally handed my test to me, and I might just be going crazy. But I think he winked at me? I couldn't help but slightly blush, so I hurriedly buried myself into the test and began to answer the lengthy questions.

"I heard a kid broke out crying during there test! Is it true?" Alberto asked excitedly as we walked to dinner.

"Yep it's true. Pitch pretended to not notice, but we could all see the slight smirk on his face." Lauren answered shaking her head. "I wanted to... I'll be having nightmares about that test for months now."

"It wasn't too bad... I mean, it involved a lot of thinking. But it wasn't too hard to figure out." I shrugged as I leaned on Alberto's shoulder. The both gave me a horrified glance and backed away.

"What has he done to you..." Alberto asked with a look of disgust. I slapped his arm and laughed.

"Pitch didn't do anything to me Burt, I just studied my ars off." I said.

"The only thing Pitch has done to Ivy is steal her heart." Lauren grinned.

"... Shut up." I blushed. Lauren laughed and gave me a slight shove. Alberto opened the dinning hall door and bowed as we entered. We all laughed and found our normal seats where food was already ready for us to dig into.

There was dressed chicken with a light sweet and spicy sauce on it, along with lumpy mashed potato's and peas. There was a massive loaf of bread right beside it with a knife stuck into it. A very basic dinner, but quite good.

"Hey.. guys. Do you notice anything odd?" Lauren whispered to me as I put a slice of chicken on my plate. I looked around the dinning hall, and instantly realized that none of the Guardians were there. Why weren't they there? Even North wasn't, and he always love to dine with the students.

"I wonder where the Guardians are..." I wondered allowed.

"Maybe they are having a party or something for the end of the semester. Or they are having to grade everything. Who knows?" Alberto chimed in. We all shrugged. Who knows what they are all doing? It must be something important though, but it is not meant for us to know.

So we all just continued to make our plates and eat till our stomachs were satisfied. Alberto told us about how during one of his exams Jack accidentally slipped and fell in the hallway. The entire class could hear the thud he made when he had landed on his butt. Apparently Toothina laughed for a minute before going to check on Jack. The entire class was laughing, and got extra time for their exam.

A couple people around us that heard Burt tell the story also chimed in laughing. Some kid, Devin I think, also added to Burt's story. He mentioned that Jack left frost marks all through the hallway and Toothina nearly slipped when she walked out to help him up. Somehow we ended up on past story's about how Pitch got tripped by his own Fearlings, and how Bunnymund got hit by his own boomerang. It was a hilarious evening.

We all ended up walking back to our dorms together, laughing till our stomach hurt about hilarious story's and pranks about the Guardians and personal lives. We were just about to separate when I got really dizzy, and the ground shifted under my feet. I felt a hand grab my arm right where the cut was and pulled me into the shadows. I heard Lauren scream and and everything faded to black.

I stumbled into another room not even a second later, and nearly tripped over myself. But the hand that held my arm pulled me back and saved me from face planting. I could feel my heart nearly stop beating I was so scared, what the hell is going on? where am I?

Then a sudden pain ripped through my arm and I let out a tiny gasp, twisting my arm away from the one that held it. I spun around and saw none other than Pitch looking bewildered at me. I gave him the same look, but I felt a little bit less scared knowing it was only him... shouldn't that be the complete opposite?

"What happened to your arm?" pitch asked, seeming a little concerned at the bandages wrapped around my arm.

"I'm afraid that she got slight cut during exam, but is nothing to worry about." I heard the familiar voice of North chime in. I spun around and noticed all the Guardians sitting around a big table, even Katherine, Nightlight, and... and a mirror with Tsar Lunar in it? Okay, now i'm sure i'm going insane. Yep, it's official.

"Humph, bit careless to let one of your students get injured aye North?" Pitch scowled. I couldn't help but smirk a little, of course they would fight. Maybe I might be a bit sane...

"Says one who terrifies student half to death!" North growled back, getting up with his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Hey! guys stop it!" Toothina intervened as she flew in between Pitch and North. Toothina turned to me and gave me a pitiful smile. "Ivy, I'm sure you must be very confused. Please, sit down and we will get everything sorted out."

I gave Pitch a confused glance, but he just lead me to a seat beside him. The Guardians looked rather confused with him, but they quickly turned there attention to me. I was rather scared to look at Tsar Lunar, I felt unworthy to look upon such an amazing man. I had read about the mirror though from the Lunar Lamadry, but I can't believe it survived for so long. Also the fact that Pitch and Tsar are basically in the same room is even more bewildering to me.

"So... why am I here?" I asked after a long silence. Everyone looked at each other, and seemed to agree to something without even saying a word.

"Well, we are sad to say that we are going to need you to re-tell your story of the night you were attacked by the man in the forest. Every single detail that you can remember." Bunnymund announced as he crossed his hands professionally on the table. What... my story. But why?

"Why?" I asked again, shrinking back into my surprisingly comfy chair.

"We believe that you could have been attacked by an old enemy of ours. He is a threat to the very universe itself, trying to rid everyone of emotion and our power. He is even a threat to Pitch surprisingly enough." Bunnymund explained. I heard Pitch retort something back, but my mind froze. The man rid people of emotion... that emotionless feeling I got in the forest...

"Quite please. I think we have sparked a little something in Ivy's memory." I heard the soothing voice of Tsar ring out. It made me feel safe, and more like a kid again. I saw him smile at me, yet I could still feel the emotionless feelings claw itself deep inside me.

"I don't know... I remember that empty feeling inside. Like... there was no hope, no fear, just... emptiness. It was terrible, and honestly worse than any fear imaginable." I murmured as flash backs of that night ran through my head.

"Is there anything else specific you remember?" Jack asked with a pitiful expression.

I shook my head. "I wrote it all down in the paper I wrote for Mrs. Katherine."

I saw Katherine pull out the paper from her yellow dress and gently unfold it on the table. She handed it down to me, and I read back through it. I felt the old fear spike through my veins again as I remembered the evil red and purple eyes staring into me. The bright flash and the searing pain. How I woke up to find Pitch, not knowing where I was. Remembering it all I accidentally let out a tiny whimper.

I buried my face into my hands and laid my head on the table. Why must they make me remember this horrible memory, I can't stand it anymore! What is the point of it all, it seems clear that this enemy has come back. So why drag me into it?

"Ivy, we are very sorry this happened to you. But... we feel it may be for the best. If it is our old enemy, Neo, then we are going to need as much help as we can muster to destroy him." Bunnymund continued.

"Ha! Funny. Do you really think I'm strong enough to help take on this 'Neo'?" I interrupted, trying to keep back as much sarcasm as I could.

"Let us explain." Bunnymund began. "We do not expect you to be strong enough to fight such a foe, but we have reason to believe you are. You described a bright flash when you encountered Neo... It seems to us that you may have unintentionally pushed Neo back into the shadows for the time being with powers you never knew you had."

"So... Your saying that I technically fought this guy with powers I never knew I had? Are you sure that he didn't just attack me or something?" I argued.

"We are quite sure Ivy. Neo has never been capable of such a power like that. Which is dangerous for you. Because he will be seeking revenge, and he won't hesitate to take those powers away from you. Not even for a second." Pitch retorted.

"Oh, great. I have one of the greatest threats to the Guardians and most terrifying guy in the universe, after me. Life is just peachy!" I deadpanned

"Ivy, we are telling you all this so that we can train you to be prepared in case Neo comes back. We need a power like yours, you are stronger than you think." Toothina assured me. "We all believe in you."

"Plus, you are best student in class! I have never seen such a gifted hand wield a sword so perfectly. You need some practice, yes. But you will be as good as me by time your done!" North chimed in with a jolly smile on his face. Everyone around me nodded in agreement, even Pitch. It made me feel a little bit less scared, but I still felt a wight on my back.

"So I am being trained to be a Guardian?" I asked trying to make sure I heard everything correctly. I felt a certain excitement bubble up inside me at the thought of eventually becoming a Guardian. But, what would my center be?

"Yep!" Jack beamed. I couldn't help but smile a little. They almost never choose another Guardian to train, the last time was over a couple hundred years ago, and it is said that he went bad... could that have been Neo?

"I have one more question... Was Neo the last student you choose to be a Guardian?" I asked.

"Yes, he was. But the power got to his head, and he turned for the worst." Toothina sighed shaking her head. "But with your help, maybe we can finally put an end to him."

"Then I will try my best to help." I announced, smiling at everyone. Nightlight pumped a fist into the air and gave a big smile. I had almost completely forgotten he was here.

"Your training will start this weekend. Tell no one of it, we don't need any chaos breaking lose among the rest of the students. And Ivy, know you are always watched over." Tsar Lunar informed me. I smiled at him and nodded.

"Know, I think it is time for you to get back to your dorm. If you have any other questions that bother you, feel free to ask us at anytime." Bunnymund added.

"Thank you, all of you." I began. " I hope you all have a good night." I saw Sandy wave his hand goodbye with his bright smile. I waved back and turned to Pitch who was already standing beside me. He offered me his hand, and I took it.

Instantly we melted into the shadows, and to my surprise we ended back up in Pitch's class room. He held me by the shoulders to keep me from falling over and looked me in the eye.

"I want you to keep your eye out, for anything suspicious at all. They make Neo sound just a bit better than he really is. He won't just steal your emotions and drain the power out of you. He will kill you slowly, and torture you. Take it from me, he is not one to underestimate. And considering you are basically the only person in this hell hole I can tolerate, I don't need you dying.

"Now, none of this is to be mentioned to Lauren, or that Alberto kid. No one. Though the fear would be quite delicious... It would cause to much chaos to handle. Understood?" Pitch demanded. I nodded in agreement, and he seemed to relax just a little. Though how he just described Neo makes me ten times more frightened.

"Now, it really is time for you to get back to your dorm. Your friends are beginning to worry." Pitch smirked as a big shadow appeared on the wall in front of me.

"Good night, and sweet nightmares." I called as I stepped into the shadows. I felt the usual dizzy sensation and I stumbled into my room where Lauren sat on her bed with her head in her hands.

"Boo!" I laughed as I tapped her head. Lauren gasped and looked up at me with a horrified expression.

"Ivy! Where the hell have you been? You scared the crap out of me!" Lauren shouted as she sprang to her feet and pulled me into an embrace.

"Umm... I was with Pitch for a bit. He needed my opinion on some silly matter. Nothing to worry about." I lied as I struggled to pull out of her hug. Lauren pulled me out of her embrace and looked me sternly in the eye.

"He needed your opinion? Since when does he care about people's opinions?"Lauren asked.

"Since it was about how to scare the crap out of little kids." I retorted as I plopped down on my bed.

"Oh... Yea that makes since. Or were you just 'giving him your opinion'?" Lauren winked. I blushed and threw my pillow at her.

"No! Why must you always jump to that conclusion?" I growled. Lauren threw the pillow back at me as she gave me a critical look.

"Oh please, you know why. Now let's go to bed. We get to sleep in for once!" Lauren cheered as she jumped into her bed across from me.

"Ha, yea..." I mused. I didn't get to sleep in, no. Instead I have to be trained how to fight the most deadly man in the universe. Hurrah.

Lauren turned off the lights and we both fell asleep instantly. Sadly enough into horrifying and uneasy dreams. Just another night...