**WAHHHH I AM SUPER DOOPER SORRY THIS HAS TAKEN SO LONG. It took forever to get my laptop power cord ( my other was demolished ) and my desktop keyboard decided to not be nice so I had to wait and then got sick and OHH I just feel like the world is against me doing any writing. I am trying to get back into the swing of things since I had my arthroscopic hip surgery on February 25th, it's been a lot of appointments and OH MAN DO I NEED A VACATION! I am still recovering from my surgery which turned out to be much worse than they thought going in. Apparently instead of having a small tear in my labrum, they went in and saw my entire labrum was torn away from my hip, so the whole thing had to be repaired and they had to shave two bones not one to help with mobility. I am recovering well and feel awesome day by day so will update my other stories as soon as I can, just can't sit and type for too long at a time on my sore, hippy days. Anyways hope this was worth the wait! ENJOY! Also be on the lookout, I am working on a Brave story and hope to have the first chapter out soon before my best friend murders me, and will also be doing another kingdom Hearts story as well down the line, so be on the lookout ;D**
Chapter Six: From the Depths of Hell
A few weeks had passed, and the silence continued, though the Earth was beginning to feel very heavy with it. It was the uncomfortable silence that always came before something terrible happened. It was on such a day that the guardians had joined together for a meeting. All were there except Valleria and oddly enough Jack. The only one who did not seem to be worried was Delilah, who held such a smug, pleased looked upon her features as though knowing exactly where her dear sister was. It was not too much longer before Jack floated through the window, lowering an excited looking Valleria down to her feet. The group paused, watching how their hands were laced together the whole time they made their way towards the large conference table. North was stunned and jumped from his seat.
"W…What is this? You were not supposed to be with Jack… I was hoping you would choose one of my sons!" North exclaimed pointing to the two tall yetis behind him. "Adopted."
North's accent was more thick than usual from his sheer shock over the situation. Sandy looked like he would have hit the floor if either of his daughters chose a YETI! After a good laugh spread round the group, they finally calmed down and settled to prepare for business. Once seated, they began to go over anything they had possiblydiscovered and even talked strategies over what to do if another attack were to be launched. What they did not know is that while they were going over everything of importance, Pitch and Amaya were planning as well, and her next idea was far scarier than any could expect. Amaya wished to spice up their Night Shadows and give them a stronger power to cause more havoc and chaos.
Pitch had been summoned out into the courtyard where he was currently awaiting the arrival of his beautifully twisted Amaya. He had not yet heard of her latest, devious plots, but he could tell by the pleased light that shone brightly in her eyes that it had to be well worth the wait. As his golden eyes looked around the courtyard, he found himself scanning a rather long crack that passed beside his foot and zigzagged off further into the courtyard. He could tell the crack was old, but he found himself slightly curious to why this crack was here where there were no other signs of weakness within the rest of the floors. The crack must have signified something of utter, great importance that had been a god reminded and therefore never repaired, but left for all to remember it. Finally, his thoughts and silent musings were interrupted by the light clicks of steps gracefully approaching his lanky form.
"Ah, Pitch I am glad you got down here so abruptly. We have much to do this fine day indeed. "Amaya's voice rippled in the silence.
"What is this great plan of yours? I can tell you seem very pleased with it and if that is the case, then I know I too, will thoroughly enjoy it as well." Pitch proved to be a smooth talker when the need arose.
"Well, I think it is time I go to pay a visit to a dear old friend of mine since he owes me a favor. When it comes to my favors I always collect tenfold since the little rat has been avoiding me for the last few years. He was banished long ago into the center of the earth to be tortured by the molten lava that lays within… bit of a loner if you know what I mean." She paused to take a breath before smirking, "So I figured we would pay him a visit. With his lava and fire, it could add just what our Night Shadows need to give them the edge over those precious, disgusting guardians. "
The way Amaya spat out the last three words sent chills up and down Pitch's spine. He always became so thrilled when she spoke with such animosity at the very people he could not stand. In a way, Amaya held a grudge with the two new guardians, and he held his grudge with all the rest… especially Jack for messing up everything he had worked hard and planned for. Each time Pitch thought about how fast and easily his plans turned south, it made him seethe in pure, raw anger. He wished such harm to befall the guardians… to make them disappear permanently to where not even a single hopeful child could bring them back. He was pulled from his thoughts as nails lightly ran down the side of his face, causing his eyes to flicker and look into the seductive eyes of Amaya.
"Come Pitch, it is time for us to go deep within the Earth."
Amaya spoke with a crisp, smooth tone which let Pitch know she was quite excited to be going on the trip to see the land surrounded by fire and molten rock, lava pouring all around. Not being one to stall her, Pitch moved to follow after her easily enough as she mounted her Night Terror. Pitch summoned up his Night Mare and stroked the side of her neck in a gentle caress before moving after Amaya as she took flight. Both would travel from the moon until they found the highest volcano nestled in an almost desolate location upon the Earth. It was at this spot they dismounted their beasts and began to walk down the winding stairs that led deep into the darkness of the volcano.
The trip down into the volcano would have been very startling to regular people. The walls steamed and gave off a high heat that could easily blister the skin and make it begin to peel off slowly. The heat soon enough turned into thick heated mist that burned the eyes and scorched the throat. Each intake of air would cause the chest to spasm and the lungs to quiver in fear of burning up till there was nothing left but pain and agony. The darkness deep within held much away to the secretes being kept within, and only upon closer inspection would a faint, reddish-orange glow be seen at the very bottom of the volcano pit.
Once Amaya and Pitch had reached the light at the bottom, they noticed a strange looking set of ornate looking doors, etched with demonic writing and symbols, warning all to turn back and be spared their souls the torturous dance that would befall them should they resist and not heed the warning. A snort was the only thing that fell from Amaya's lips as she pushed open the doors and stepped within the scorching chambers. Her eyes were quick to spot the demonic creature huddled, torturing some poor soul in the pit of the lava and fire, yet not allowing the being to die… yet. Hearing the intrusion the creatures blinding hot white eyes glared towards them and stopped upon seeing Amaya.
"Ah, my lady it has been some time since you have graced me with your presence. To what do I owe the unknown pleasure?" Pike hissed in a low growl of a voice.
"Pike, I have come to collect on your debt. Since you are now in control of all things within this room, I wish to borrow some of your lava and brimstone, if you don't have any objections. Offer your assistance and you might just find yourself a free demon to roam the earth like you long to." Amaya had a way with persuasion.
"Ohh then be my guests…use all you need. I have been cooped up in here for far too long, so if there might be a chance to get out, I am all for assisting…"
"That's what I wanted to hear Pike. Now then Pitch, shall we?"
Getting the look from Amaya, Pitch nodded and called forth one of the Night Shadows. With hardly any time at all, the Night Shadow appeared from the mist, a screech leaving it as it moved towards Amaya and Pitch, awaiting further instructions. Amaya smirked and moved to stroke to vile creatures face before ushering it towards the pit of lava. Seeming to know what was being asked, the creature walked into the lava, the hissing filling the air as the skin began to burn and harden, the lava seeming to seep deep within the beast, transforming to look like rippled of veins and blood. Pike was a demon and what he saw standing before him looked like something that stepped out of the very pits of Hell.
The Night Shadow held a hardened, cooled lava appearance with fresh lava flowing beneath the cracked surface. The fresh lava dripped from the creatures and burned the ground as the fire licked the creature's body. The eyes of the Night Shadow glowed and danced like fire as flaming spikes ran down the spine of it before ending with a large burning ball of fire at the tip of the tail. Seeing the creature brought a large smirk upon Amaya's lips as she walked slowly around the new, reborn Night Shadow. Seeing how much stronger it appeared gave her a sense of pure pleasure as she gave a look at Pitch. Pitch could see in her eyes that she was quite satisfied with had just happened. With the nod from her, Pitch summoned more of the Night Shadows into the lava. Sometime later, all the Night Shadows had undergone the same transformation and looked exactly like the tested experiment did. With the Night Shadows all complete, Amaya let them go and rest to gather their strength. She would head back to her castle with Pitch right behind her so that they could work out the details and plan another attack.
With the darkness planning an all out attack, the guardians found themselves pouring over battle plans. North had explained what he had figured out to the rest of the group, earning a chuckle from Valleria which was followed by a smiley face from Delilah. With each guardian creating their battle front, they would be able to fight at the fronts and be separated since they finally understood that in dire times, they could call up their powers and create extra allies. North had beamed a large grin as he introduced his magnificently bright, cheerful trains that were packed with all sorts of swords and engine power. Bunnymund found that his stone eggs could change and become spiked eggs that could release a poisonous dye that would harm all evil within a certain diameter. Toothy discovered that she could call forth bright, colorful Macaws to her aid that allowed her tooth fairies to fight alongside her.
Seeing as Sandy was the Sandman, he preferred to call forth his large dinosaurs to aid and assist him in battle, since they were his absolute favorite. Jack had actually been startled when he found out he could bring forth a massive snow leopard that had shards of ice that hung from the rounded ears, snowflake patterns woven in throughout the fur pelt. Delilah trusted in her best friends in her battles if they were ever needed, which happened to be large Dandelions that looked like pets and would nuzzle into Delilah happily. They were mighty and stood taller than a house with whipping tendrils that could lash out in attack. Last was Valleria, who just used her two Scottish Deerhounds to assist. They had been with her for many years and stood tall and lanky, proud to be with their mistress till the end.
With them all having their aids, they did practice fights to get prepared for when the real fight broke out. Sparring one on and one taught them how to better control their power to be a full extension of themselves, and once they had gotten a firm grasp on it, they fought in groups. The group fighting was random and would change constantly to give them the element of being surprised and being able to think on quick feet when the time called for it. The practice and training was tough, grueling work, but everyone seemed to be pulling their weight. At the end of each practice, thanks to Valleria, they would sit around and drink hot chocolate and talk amongst each other, their friendship and bonds growing. Of course, North cried after each hot chocolate break, since it meant his stock would need to be replenished. It was when North noticed how quick Valleria could consume his hot, chocolaty beverage, that he was glad Jack was stuck with her and not himself or he would never get to drink hot coco again.
One night after their routine meeting and beverage drinking, they all decided that it would be best to go back to their own realms for the next day. A great heavy feeling was making itself known, and Sandy felt it would be best if they were scattered around the globe just in case anything should happen. Valleria and Delilah took the time to go and check on some things with the Man in the Moon, while the guardians bid their farewells to each other and parted their ways. North stayed put, Bunnymund took his rabbit hole home, Toothy took flight, Sandy went about giving his good dreams, and Jack went back to his frozen over pond where he sat, ever alert for any signs of trouble. What they all did not know is that disaster was about to break and important news would come to surface, shocking all the guardians as well as Amaya and Pitch, for after all, who really pulls the strings to what takes place in the universe?
~END CHAPTER SIX~
Author's note: Ahhhhh I finished the chapter… it just took me ALL day on and off since I can only type for a short period at a time.. but I am pleased with this chapter… I know it is not as long as some of my others, but they will be taking more twists and turns as it begins to really roll along and progress. Anywho…..please be patient with me =) I need to also work on my other chapters for my others stories and update them since I haven't been able to in several WEEKS…. Okay….. Over a month… I can't help it my surgery interfered. Anyways I will try to post up the next chapter sometime next week or the next. Thank you for all those who like this story and are still reading it, it gives me inspiration to get back settled into what I enjoy doing. =)