Chapter 9

(Ivy's P.O.V.)

I was mad at how easily my strength was drained. Not even a couple minutes of practicing and I was out cold! I am still embarrassed at how weak I am. But the Guardians insist that I will grow stronger as we continue to practice. I have been practicing creating tiny orbs of light when Lauren and Burt aren't around. It is so interesting how it changes colors. I have even learned how to make it stick to just one color! It was difficult to figure out. But I am slowly gaining a better grip on my powers. Sadly, not much strength along with it.

I had always wanted a magical power when I was little. I dreamed of manipulating water and having the power to give people dreams. Of course I had no clue back then that Sandy did that. Nor that Pitch gave nightmares. If I had known that when I was a little girl I would have never slept and always tried to catch them in the act. Then again, Pitch might have caused me a heart attack back then.

But I ended up with the magical light that changes colors. Today we are going to see how well I can fight with it. I have created tiny swords and knifes. But the dragon I had created (Who I decided to name Exermius, I feel it suits him. Yes, a him) it had seemed more daring! More ferocious! It made even Pitch stare in wonder, and maybe even a hint of fear? Who needs swords and daggers when you can have an army of dragons and Exermius.

I laughed to myself as I snuck out of my room again, making sure this time not to disturb Lauren in any way. I was slowly becoming better and making almost no sounds at all, but of course I had my days where I am as loud as a bell. When I did wake her up It was hard explaining all my lies to her. I would forget what I had said, and she would always catch me on it. Thankfully this time, she didn't wake up to ask where I was going. Pitch told me to meet him outside. But he didn't tell me specifically where.

It didn't seem to be much of a problem, because didn't even take a couple steps outside when a shadow appeared under my feet and I fell straight through it. I gasped as I stumbled onto thick green grass and fell to my hands and knees. I heard someone chuckle, and a hand appeared in front of my face. I looked up and saw Pitch's devilish smirk lining his face. I shook my head and laughed. I gratefully excepted his hand and allowed him to pull me to my feet again.

"Ready?" pitch asked with a grin.

"As I'll ever be!" I chimed as we walked back to the group together. Everyone was waiting for me like usual... but they were not smiling like usual. Instead they were talking in hushed voices with grim faces. What was going on?

Pitch cleared his throat, and everyone stopped talking and turned around to meet us. There normal ludic smiles returned to their faces as if they had never talked about anything grim. I wonder what it was.

"Ivy! Are you feeling well rested today?" North asked as he came and patted me on the shoulder.

"Yep." I replied with a smile. I tried to suppress a sarcastic smile.

"Good! We will keep eye on you this time. Make sure you don't faint again." North beamed as he joined the group of others once more. "Now! What shall you use for weapon?"

I had this part thought out by now. With North and the others, I would use a normal sword... with some perks if I could. But I know Pitch will want a chance to really test me, as usual. Then, then I would show them how dangoroues Exermius could really be since I lack swordsmanship. Pitch could easily take me down with a sword... but a dragon! I'd like to see him try.

So I forged a sword, and it exploded from a ball of light. It's blade glowed a dark red, as if blood had been spilled upon it. The handle was of pure light, yet felt as strong as metal. It had an odd curve to the front of it, with jagged edges going along the edge. North eyed the sword with curiosity, then drew out his own. i couldn't help but notice that he did it a bit hesitantly. Toothina drew hers, Bunnymund held his staff aloft along with Jack, and Sandy stood back watching with Pitch.

"Ready?" I smirked. North laughed so hard his entire body shook, and with impeccable speed came at me.

I spun and blocked his sword. Sparks of light flew everywhere as my sword locked blades. The groves held Norths in place, and with an easy twist I knocked it from his hands. Toothina flew at me with her two swords swinging and gleaming in the dim light. I blocked her, and spun back around with a swift movement. Our swords sang as we clashed, and lights flew every which way that coated the ground. I quickly forged another sword to match hers, and with some difficulty I knocked them from her hand.

Frost ran up my arms as Jack instantly tried to knock the swords from my hand. I nearly dropped them, but the light seemed to cling to my hand. In a black mass my swords forged together and formed a scythe... I hand't meant to change it into that, but I had no time to question it. I blocked Jacks staff with mine, and kicked him in the gut. A dirty move, but we hadn't set any rules. Jack was knocked down, and his staff fell from his hands as he fell on his butt.

I was the first to attack this time. Bunnymund struggled to block the sharp blade of the scythe that had formed on it's own accord. It glowed a scary shade of black, almost blacker than Pitch himself! It made me wonder how strong this magic really is... Bunnymunds yell spooked me, and my slight hesitation lead to me being knocked tot he ground. It knocked the breath out of me, but I didn't let this feat get to me. I quickly jumped back to my feet, but a golden light wrapped around my waist.

I was thrown some ways up into the air, and then sharply swung back around and slammed into the ground. I groaned as my shoulder took most of the blow. There would surly be a bruise there tomorrow. Damn Sandy, not going to go easy on me are you? Fine, what weapon would be good to use against you? Umm... I don't really have a clue. I might as well just let it flow of its own accord again.

Once i dragged myself up back from the ground, which took way more effort than it should have, Sandy was standing at the ready with his whips by his side. I allowed the magic light to flow from my hands and into ribbons. The changing colors cast shadows on the ground, and i nodded to let Sandy know I was ready. Sandy smiled, and sent his whip flying towards me. I didn't even have to use much effort, the ribbons of light seemed to move of there own accord and blocked the whip. One even managed to quickly wrap around his tiny foot and knock him down.

The light grew gold, just like Sandy, and began to wrap around him so he could no longer move. i was rather impressed at how efficiently the light could protect me. All I had to really do was think. But my astonishment didn't last long. Pitch had his nightmares and fearlings already conjured and they were heading right for me. I looked like a deer caught in headlights, and I heard Toothina gasp in the background. But right before the nightmare or fearlings could lay there dirty paws on me I was swooped off the ground by Exermius who had forged right under me. He flew a few feet away, and then I hoped off of him.

This was the first time I had ever rode Exermius. I didn't even know I could! How delightful. "Thank you Exermius!" I smiled as I lightly stroked his side. I heard him ... purr? Dragons purred? Oh well, I didn't have time to remember, the fearlings where heading towards me again. "Exermius, attack!" I commanded. Exermius growled this time and leaped after the fearlings as he turned a dark black. Purple, green, and blue flowed through him as well, and his fire seemed to be a mixture of all three.

"I would keep a closer eye on your surroundings. You never know where your enemies might appear." Pitch's voice rang out from behind me. Of course, it was in his teacher tone, which I hate. I gasped and spun around. Pitch was standing right beside me. He smiled, showing his pointy teeth. they glinted in the light of Exermius's fire.. or light? I don't know. "You are doing very well! But lets see how long you last against me."

Dark against light. Last time I checked light always won. Or that's how I remembered it from all the shows I would watch with Ashley when I still lived there. I also remember from one movie your opponent could tell what move you made next by your eyes. So i looked Pitch directly in the eye, but instead a ribbon of light knocked him off his feet.

However to my surprise he disappeared into a shadow before my lights of ribbon could wrap around him like I did to Sandy. "You can do better than that surly?" Someone whispered from behind my ear. I didn't even have time to react before I was enveloped in darkness. It was as if someone had just turned off all the lights. Not this again. Oh please not this again!

"Pitch!" I growled as I created an orb of light in front of me. I screamed, no more like shrieked, as I saw my sisters bloody form before me. She was beaten and bruised with blood dripping from cut on her neck. Her limbs looked twisted and bent, and blood began to spill onto the ground around her. I saw her lips move, and I swore I heard her whisper 'help'. i shook my head, this wasn't real. I knew this wasn't real. It couldn't be! "Its okay. Be calm. Just break the darkness." I told myself.

A sinister laugh froze me to the bone. I blinked and found my sister had disappeared... but. But the man Neo was standing before me. His purple eyes gleamed and seemed to shine like the sun. But the blood red brought a shiver up my spine. His silver hair fell on his shoulders that illuminated his features They were somewhat ravishing, once I thought about it. but the horrible memories began to flood back to me, and I felt myself freeze. Would this be how I would react when i finally met Neo again? It wasn't going great now and this was just an illusion caused by Pitch!

Pitch... I'm going to kill that bastard when I get myself out of this black shadow! He knows I am terrified of Neo. But then again I guess I should take this chance to face my fears. Ha! I'll show Pitch!

I took a deep breath, and looked Neo in the face. He began to stride toward me, and I wanted to run the opposite way instantly. But I kept my feat steady. "I'm not afraid of you..." I managed to croak. I repeated this at least twice until I could almost touch the man Neo. I was about to attack him, but he grabbed my arm and twisted it. I somehow suppressed a scream and without even thinking I reared back and slapped him across the face. "I'm tired of being afraid!" I shouted, and a blinding light began to shine. It was brighter than the sun! And suddenly Neo wasn't there... and I was lying on the grass.

I heard Exermius whine, and I looked up to see him still ripping and tearing apart the nightmares and fearlings. I could see the Guardians looking petrified at me, but then a cold hand cupped my face. My gaze was directed to pitch who was towering over me with a malicious smile. A bit of fear spread out through me, but then anger boiled up inside of me and blocked out the fear. "You jerk!" I shrieked as I reared back and kicked him off of me with my feet. Pitch went flying backwards and fell on his butt.

I hopped up to my feet and created a weapon in my hand. I had no clue what i had forged, i was too angry to care. "You know! You know my greatest fears and that's okay! But how dare you use them against me. How dare you make a version of Neo to scare the living shit out of me! How dare you let me see my sister practically dying!" I was screaming like a banshee by now, and Pitch was looking horrified if not a bit amused. He barley had any time to forge his own weapon to keep from getting hit.

He blocked my attack, but I didn't allow him time to regain himself. I was attacking him like a badger from hell, and I could tell he was rather surprised. "Why would you do that too me? I know you want me to get better at fighting but did you really have to put me through soo many nightmares?" I was beginning to cry now.

Pitch's face began to blur and i savagely wiped the tears from my eyes. Sadly in the time it took me to wipe the tears from my face Pitch had knocked my weapon from my hand. Before I could forge another one he had grabbed my wrists, and pulled me closer to him. He knelled down so that he matched my height and looked me in the eye. "Ivy, listen to me! It worked did it not? My method worked, and trust me it brings me no joy to hurt you like I do. I love to taste the fear of others, but I don't enjoy it when it's you. Believe me. I do what i do to help you." Pitch whispered as he griped my wrists tighter. I tried wrenching away from him, but I gave up. I'm done. I simply couldn't do it any more.

"I don't want to do this anymore." I sobbed as I let my head fall to my hands. "I can't." I really couldn't do this. I could barley get myself to attack the fake Neo. i still couldn't stop seeing my sister Ashley bleeding to death behind my eyelids. I'm just a teenager! And now the Guardians are expecting me to help defeat this, this monstrosity! I just want to see my sister again! I just want to be a normal kid who goes to a normal school, one who has parents, and not crazy magic that flows through your body! Damn my life.

"Ivy." Pitch released one of my wrist and cupped my cheek instead. He lifted my chin so i would be looking him in the eye again. "You just beat the Guardians, even that bloody Sandman. You even knocked me on my arse! I think you can handle Neo, and you won't be alone if he decides to strike. Your are strong, and I think you are well prepared. Besides, that dragon of yours is brilliant. I don't know why I never decided to use a ferocious animal like that..."

"Exermius." I laughed through a sob. "His name is Exermius. And... Thank you Pitch. This doesn't excuse the fact you can be a jerk." Pitch smirked and wiped the rest of the tears from my face.

"You named him? Well alright. Come on, I think you have had enough for one day. Besides I think the golden bunch are about to have a heart attack over there." Pitch observed as we glanced over to where the Guardians were staring wide eyed at us. I giggled. 'The golden bunch'. I like that, a lot actually. I just might have to start calling them that.

Pitch stood back up and led me over to where the golden bunch were standing. I whistled for Exermius to fly back over to me, and Pitch must have told his little demon creatures to retreat because they both parted at the same time. Exermius glared at Pitch, but Pitch just smirked at him. "I must say, you startled me when you broke out of my little trick. I've never seen you fight like that before." Pitch added before we were in ear shot of the others. I allowed myself to feel proud for a moment. I guess all Neo has to do is piss me off and his head will be served on a platter.

"Pitch what the hell just happened! Ivy are you alright?" Jack asked as he rushed over to me once we were near them again. They all seemed to snap out of there shock and stared angrily at Pitch.

"I'm fine." I reassured them.

"Indeed, I think Ivy is well prepared to fight Neo if she ever has the misfortune to meet him. But for now she must rest. I will take her back to her dorm so that she may get some rest, or food. Which ever she prefers." Pitch interrupted before anyone else could speak. The Guardians cast each other worried glances, but no one objected. And once I thought about it, i was rather hungry...

"Get rest Ivy! You fought well today, you deserve break now!" North beamed as he came up to me and kissed me on both cheeks. I giggled a little, and nodded. Pitch took my arm, and before I could even say anything else to the others we had dissolved into shadows.