** OMG… I know I haven't updated in several months, but my life has been very crazy and un-fun! I've been sick, recovering from surgeries, dealing with lawyers for my settlement from my last wreck in 2012 and.. just nuts! Even right now I am almost 2 ½ weeks post having my tonsils and adenoids removed… AGAIN! I had them first taken out when I was 2… low and behold around Christmas I contracted Strep throat mildly for the first time… and noticed lumps… also found out my adenoids ( Normally aren't in adults, but my body didn't get the notice ) were giant and almost blocking off my nasal passageways… so lets say I've breathed better… till my allergies flared up and now I can't breath and sound horrid HAHAHAH BUT anywho… because of all the struggles lately, I just haven't been motivated to update, but I have been hit while recovering on strong pain meds with a TON of inspiration! I plan in the next several days to have all my stories updated and even moving to try and finish my Gundam Wing one. I also have a few other ideas floating around for maybe a couple one or two-shots since I have been watching many shows and animes…. SOOOO I APOLOGIZE FOR MY ABSENCE! Please do not cart me off and lock me away! T_T Anyways, this story comes first, then I plan to update my Brave story, followed by my Rosario + Vampire story, and then my Gundam Wing. Also, since I am working on many stories it will be about 3-5 days till I update once I get back into the swing of things just so I can focus and put my all in everything. **

*** Also going to give another disclaimer, since it's been awhile…. Sadly I must inform all that I do not own the characters from Rise of the Guardians…. I only own the extra characters I bring in T_T Tis soo sad I know ! Anyways all rights go to respective owners and know this poor broke gal makes absolutely NO profit from this work of imagination! **

Chapter 8: Into The Fiery Pits of Hell

The time was close and at hand as the group of Guardians moved, following after Valeria into the portal she called up. The portal swirled with colors of black, blue, and silver with a crackle that filled the dreadful silence. She shifted slightly after everyone passed through the portal safely to stand, waiting anxiously. She stood, taking the lead before turning to face the rest of them once more, her two hounds moving to sit by her side as her lips parted after a short moment to speak.

" Okay everyone… I will lead the way but be prepared to fight and be prepared for any traps…. our goal is to get to Dandy before anything bad happens to her… "

She received nods from everyone and soon, her body turned and began once more making her way towards a dark cake up ahead of them all. The walk was eerily quiet since no one dared to hardly whisper in case of being found out and captured themselves. Valeria was careful, each step she took silent and fluid as though she knew just where to step. The others followed suit, Toothy sticking close to North at the dark cave encroaching upon them so… gloomily. As a loose pebble tumbled from the wall of the cave, the brightly colored tooth-fairy nearly screamed as she jumped, nearly tackling everyone over in the process before calming down at seeing no danger… yet.

In any other place and time, it would have been something to laugh about, but no giggles slipped past as the small group continued along their way, slipping deeper and moving down a spiraling staircase till they could go no lower. Once at the bottom, a dark magical door stood before them with rusty hinges as it pulsed in dark energy and matter. Valeria knew better than to touch the door and flicked her hand, causing the door to silently swing open. She stood, keeping it open while nodding for everyone else to go ahead and step through to the awaiting dark shadows before them . The door would only remained opened until Valeria stepped through, upon which the door quietly sealed them within the dwelling of the Demons.

Lights were light so they could see better, and like a group of explorers, they were off once more. Weaving this way and that, the group felt rather lost, but Valeria lead them strongly showing them the way. The dark doman had parts that required patience and stealth, but nothing so far had been too difficult. Valeria knew it was because Amaya had not banked on them coming to save Delilah. The light security proved to be the toughest obstacle for the moment. Peeking around the corner, the guardians saw two heavily armored guards in-front of a thick, large set of double doors. The guards stood well over 6 feet tall and held glowing crimson eyes. Horns nestled on top of their heads and their bulging muscles could easily be seen beneath the hard, bone-like armor.

It was with a simple flick of the wrist and soon the hounds moved in, pouncing upon one of the guards as Valeria moved and took on the second, her hand soon forming and off gloved-like weapon with long blades that outstretched from the fingers. With a single move, she sunk her hand through the exposed flesh at the neck, severing the head and dropping the body. Her hounds followed suit in taking out the first guard. Straightening, she shook off the tar- like blood and tilted her head before glancing behind herself towards the other. Toothy fell over in shock while North held such a comical look. Jack felt proud of her for being that quick and Bunnymund reminded himself to NEVER get on Valeria's bad side…. she was more scary than Sandy was!

" Okay.. Daemon's room is past this door… Toothy, you and North stay here to keep an eye out for any reinforcements and trouble… the rest of us will storm in and get Delilah back. Also… don't try to kill Daemon… he is a Demon Lord and thus only sealing him away will defeat him, but this time.. I'll be sending him to the Celestials so that Amaya can't sink her claws into him any longer to aide the dark side. " Valeria explained carefully to them all.

Getting curt nods from them all, Toothy and North moved to where stand against the walls beside the doors in order to keep a lookout while Valeria once more opened the door with her energy. Valeria, Jack, Bunnymund, and Sandy stormed into the room, easily spotting Delilah chained up to the opposite wall. Deamon looked shocked for a moment before growling like the beast he was and stalking towards the foursome who dared to barge into his domain. Delilah perked up, not looking any worse for wear, and smiling at the sight of her father and sister, followed by her friends. She knew Valeria would never leave her in such a situation and for that, a few tears trickled down her cheeks from happiness. It was then her eyes locked with those of Bunnymund and gave him a warm smile.

Valeria squared off against Daemon, stepping in front of the other three. She knew they were limited to what they could do damage to… and that is Daemon was a low level demon, they could all join in on kicking his rump. Since he was a Demon Lord, he was top of the line and they would be better suited to freeing Dandy from the dark chains. Sandy understood and tugged Frost and Rabbit towards his bound daughter. As they carefully made their way over, Jack had to force himself not to go to the aid of Valeria as the Demon's words did nothing but infuriate him to no end! How DARE that slimy jerk say such things about HIS woman!

" Tsk tsk…. see, I always knew you were the fighter in the family Val…. and taking your flower of a sister was Amaya's plan… if it were up to me… I would have taken you… and broken you to be mine…"

He purred out his words like a sick seduction and then their fight began. He launched himself towards Valeria, his long claws swiping at her while he pulled a long, slender sword out. The blade was black and shined with a strong power. Valeria used her bladed gloves to parry the sword, fighting with the Dark Underlord. The battle was a fierce one, and at one point the blade sliced across her tanned arm, blood seeping up to the surface to trickle along her arm slowly. Daemon hissed in pleasure at the scent and sight of the blood and licked his lips. Valeria glared and used that moment to swipe at him, drawing her own blood upon the wound she just gave him. They fought with such a vengeance, neither seeming to stumble and crack, swiping, kicking, lashing out at each other in hopes of grabbing the upper hand.

Bunnymund and Jack had not seen such fighting, and though they wanted to watch Valeria cream Deamon's ass, they focused on hitting the dark chains with all they had, chipping them away bit by bit slowly. As all three worked, Delilah moved, her eyes watching the wound her sister had gotten. She watched the flesh bubble as though burned, causing the blood flow to increase as she got another slice from claws along her side and abdomen. Dandy struggled, crying out for her sister and struggling in hopes of helping to break her bindings so she could help her sister. It would not be much longer before the clanking sound of the chains breaking filled the air, causing Daemon to snap his eyes up suddenly, leaving him unguarded.

Seeing the chance and not wishing to miss it, Valeria swung, both her hands moving together as she rammed the long blades through the stomach of Daemon, causing him to stumble back in scorching pain. He hissed, stumbling till he went down upon one knee, his fangs bared at Valeria as he snapped at her. She used her foot and kicked him completely off her bladed hands before she began to chant in the same strange language she had when the guardians first met her. An odd swirling light began to engulf Daemon, as though pulling and binding him in chains to show him how it felt. Before he was completely captured, he sent a nasty spell towards Delilah, which was blocked as Bunnymund lunged in front of the ball of power, taking the hit.

Dandy screamed out as she watched Bunnymund fall to the floor, his body knocked out cold…. and…. different. As Bunnymund hit the ground, Daemon disappeared as his body was sent to the Celestials by Valeria. Valeria stumbled and landed upon her knees, sweat beginning to bead upon her forehead as she shivered. Jack rushed to her side and crouched, using her arm to help support her as they moved to Delilah and the others.

Dandy was settled on her knees, her face leaned over the still form of Bunnymund. His chest rose and fell slowly showing he was still alive….. even if he was… well having a bad hair day to put it lightly. She sobbed though fearing the worse. Sandy lightly touched her shoulder, speaking to her in only the way she would understand, letting her know Bunnymund was not injured and would be fine. With everything, Sandy used his whips to wrap around the unconscious form of Bunnymund to carry him out to safety. Delilah moved to the front as they left the domain since she would lead them all back to the top and out of the inferno. Jack was last, being careful to not jar any of the injuries Valeria had. The longer they all walked, the more blurred around the edges her eyesight became before she moved sluggishly.

Toothy and North had been glad to see Delilah, though busted out laughing upon seeing Bunnymund. With them all wasting no time, they forged the walk up and out into the light of daylight just starting to brighten the world. By this time, Valeria had joined Bunnymund in the world of unconsciousness and was taken to the North Pole to be tended to. After such an event, everyone deemed it best to stay up North till the team was healed and at least moving around. Delilah stayed by Bunnymund's bedside throughout the day and Jack by Valeria, who was bandaged up while everyone else got some sleep.

Come the time evening rolled around, Bunnymund began to stir, his long rabbit ears twitching slowly to take in all the sounds around him. He paused, hearing Dandy softly humming beside him while stroking along one of his ears gently. As his eyes cracked opened he groaned and lifted a paw to rub his face but froze, eyes nearly falling out of his head. He sat up quickly, the sudden movement nearly making him tumble from the bed and he yelled out in pure shock as though he had some horrid disease.

" W.. WHAAAAAAAT! I'VE GONE BALD…. WHAT HAPPENED TO MEEEEEEEEEEE"

End Chapter 8

Author's Note: WELP I got out a chapter and updated finally after so long ! Hope you enjoy.. and YES what happened to Bunny will be revealed in the next chapter…. and his reaction will be simply classic! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and sorry if it wasn't as grand as some of my others. I am still recovering from my surgery and have to go in a few hours…. 5 to be exact for Allergy Testing with my ENT HaHAHAHA PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW YOU THOUGHTS! JUST NO FLAMES AND BE POLITE ABOUT IT PLEASE AND THANK YOU! - Hands out cookies -