Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know I've been away for too many days - well, not really, I just have you spoiled :P- I was reading the Guardians books - not that they told me anything different to the wiki- to get some more info for... Yeah, like I'm telling you right now. Trust me, I was working on this thing. Once again, thank you so much for your reviews, this is amazing.

This one is dedicated to ObsidianLove, who just loves Pitch.


Pitch Black was standing next to Seraphina's bed his hands crossed on his back in a characteristic gesture. He kept his distance, as if an invisible shield was preventing him from getting close to her. He didn't know how long he had been standing there, looking at the strange creature sleeping in front of him. Even the nightmare sand hadn't completely taken away her beauty, her defined, gorgeous features still visible in the darkness. He could see the resemblance: her long chin, not unlike his. Her nose, albeit smaller, with the same wide bridge, the same pointy tip. Before her transformation, he could have swore that a brown version of his own yellow orbs was glaring at him.

She was gravely injured by that damned fairy, black blood still gushing out from his daughter's side, staining her bandages. His daughter... A small part of him wished he could remember her, remember what it was like not being alone. He didn't, of course, remember her. He didn't remember anything about who he was, except for the rumors he had gathered during the years. Kosmotis Pitchiner, what a stupid name, if he may add.

He apparently had led the Golden Armies in capturing the fearlings, and then, stupidly enough, volunteered to guard their prison. Pitch wondered how much he had really loved his daughter before, giving that he willingly decided to stay far away from her. He didn't know much about love, really, but he had seen human parents protecting their children, even giving their own lives for them, trying to keep their offsprings by their side. He had seen couples in love, suffering every time they were forced to be apart, fearing - he particularly loved this part- that their loved ones would leave them. So this Kosmotis person didn't really seem like a good parent to him, even though Seraphina seemed to have him sitting on a golden throne.

Did he write letters to the girl? Wonderful letters lying about how important she was to him, while in reality, winning his war was more important? Did he lie and cheat his own daughter? Maybe him and Pitchiner were not so different after all. Pitch didn't know why, but the thought made him smile.

He could not stop staring at the young woman in front of him. In spite of her injuries, she had come to his aid when she felt he needed her. No one had ever come to his aid before. No one had ever cared for him before. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, but it was good not being alone anymore. It was good having Sera around, someone to make plans with, to celebrate his victories, someone to help him when the tables turned on him. He could get used to this. Maybe he could always be by her side. Maybe he could be a better father to her than Kosmotis ever was.

The young woman stirred, her eyelids fluttering until she finally opened them.

"Father?" she asked, her terrifying eyes full of love for him.

"Yes, Seraphina" he replied.

"Have you been here the whole time?" she asked again, incredulous.

"Of course" he said smiling. Even he wasn't sure wether the smile was genuine or not.

"I am so sorry I have failed you, father" said Seraphina, looking away.

"You have not failed me. You single handled almost killed four of them. I was the one who failed to kill the rabbit and your little friend. Had I not... let Frost get to me, you would've gotten rid of the others." said Pitch.

"I did not know that the boy was still under the Algae's influence." she said thoughtful. " I suppose melting him will have to first priority now. We do not want him to release them from their prison. I do not want then to hurt you again."

"They won't." he said, matter of factly. Did he believed that himself, or was he just trying to ease her fears?

"But I did discover something interesting. I think we can use your insolent friend. You should have seen that pooka's face, you should have felt his fear... I bet he loves her. You have to admit its kind of romantic, two freaks in love!"

"I wouldn't try to do that if I were you. Don't underestimate Gretchen. She is more powerful than she herself knows. And she is very stubborn. She would not rest until she brings me back. She'll find a way." argued his daughter.

"She didn't seem so powerful yesterday. She seemed like a scared, helpless little girl." he disagreed.

"Well, her kind doesn't care much for heights..."

"Her kind?" he interjected. It just crossed his mind that he had never seen another spirit like Gretchen. " I always assumed she was your creation."

"I didn't create Gretchen, I merely offered her a home after her mother passed. Oooh, you are going to love this story!" she laughed. Usually her laugh was like a canary's song. But not this laugh. This one was stained with evil.

"When I first knew about her mother's pregnancy, I was curious. Such a rare occurrence, really. Spirits rarely have children, especially inter species. I wanted to see what this child would become, what powers she would have. I can't deny I was a little disappointed when she came out looking just like her father. I was hopeful, though. Maybe her people still had a chance. Being a Forest Fairy, and still mourning her partner's death, her mother decided to use her magic to change her appearance in order to hide her, to protect her. She tried at first to make her look like herself, a beautiful fairy with butterfly wings. She thought she could raise her as one of her colony and that Gretchen would never need to know the horrors of her heritage.

But Forest Fairies are not that powerful and her magic was just enough to modify her appearance, to turn her into another forest animal. She only ever told the girl that her father was a brave warrior and that he died defending his people. But she never told her what her dad really was. Knowing Gretchen, the less she knew, the safer she would be... from you"

Pitch's eyes were wide with understanding and the corners of his mouth curved into a malevolent smile.

"No..." he said, still smiling like a child on Christmas morning.

"Yes" Seraphina smiled back, knowing that her father was indeed enjoying the story.

"As she grew up, she also showed her real powers, her mother's magic, her father's abilities. When her mother died of old age I could not resist the opportunity to offer her a job. She was only 159 years old, only a teenager."

"So, what do you suggest we do with her?" asked her father. He really just couldn't wipe the smile out of his face.

"Kill her" she said with determination.

"And the rabbit's wrath?" he asked again.

"Just leave that to me. Besides, he's not the smartest when he's angry." she replied.


Was that too obvious?