This is going to be long, so you guys might want to either save this when you aren't so busy or prop up your feet and relax into your bed/couch/floor/chair, wherever you are. There's a lot of break offs too, and there's a POV change, so watch out for those. I think you'll like this chapter overall, though. :) Please enjoy, and have a wonderful calming day.
Chapter 24
The Elders always had their own voice, but not within these cases. It was always by the word of Man in Moon, and then their consideration was put into play. The witnesses help deter or confirm the opinion of Man in Moon and the Elders, but it isn't likely that it will matter. In cases like this, everything counted and was gingerly on a balance of justice. One tiny tip of it and the entire thing will collapse out of my favor. I couldn't afford that.
"We hereby declare that in this circumstance, Man in Moon has found you not guilty. Your case has been proven perfectly." Mother Nature said, and I swear to this day I saw a shadow of a smile on her face.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, and Alice hugged my side tightly in relief.
"But!" Father Time shouted, causing the jubilee to immediately halt.
"Oh, come on!" Sadie moaned, and Alice slammed her hand against her sister's mouth, hissing for her to shut up or she'll kill her herself.
Alice can be a little frightening. It's kinda hot.
"You must decide where to continue with this. Either you continue your spirit life as the nightmare king...or you give it all up and become a human." Father Time looked at me gravely.
The hall fell quieter than ever before. Not even Tooth's fluttering wings could be heard over the ear-deafening silence. All the pressure was placed on me...and I had to come up with a decision right there and then. Personally, I adored being the Nightmare King. I've been so used to that part of my everyday life, I couldn't imagine myself without it. The ability to phase through shadows, control an entire army, hell, even the robe I wore made me feel more powerful than just an average human. But if I chose the spirit life, to continue it, Alice and Sadie would have to never see me again, or at least give up their connections with me. Then again, knowing myself, I would just break the rules repeatedly until the Elders punished me themselves. I would miss everything...the adrenaline rush of immortality, the ability to heal quicker…
But then I wouldn't have Alice and Sadie. They're my life. I've been so lonely and wanting a family, and I nearly had it in my fingertips. The loneliness made the immortality and Nightmare King charade a meaningless thing. Without sharing it with someone, it wasn't...it wasn't worth it. If I had a choice, and if Sadie and Alice would agree to it, I'd want them to be immortal along with me. But knowing that they couldn't move away from their way of life easily like that, I knew it wouldn't be right.
I guess I was silent for too long, because soon Destiny nodded and said, "We'll leave you to decide. You cannot leave this courtroom without your decision, but everyone else is dismissed," She turned to Emily Jane, "Mother Nature will safely bring Alice and Sadie home...and will be informed of your decision when it comes."
I could've blurted out a sudden answer in order for them to not leave, but I couldn't do that to them. Sadie gave me one last hug, a tight one of support, and quickly left alongside with Sandy at her left and North on her right. The Elders left right after Tooth, Jack and Bunny...leaving Alice and I alone.
She touched my shoulder, watching my face for any sign of a decision. When she was met with none, she kissed me and whispered, "Think of what you want, not what we want. The choice is yours, and I'll understand it. I love you, Pitch."
And she left.
….
Three hours. That's how long I was in there so far. I paced back and forth, meditated on the polished floor, even sat in the pews and high chairs to see what the others saw when they stared down at me during the trial. Nothing was helping me finalize a decision. It was an internal battle of either power or devotion to the people I've come to love. I know it should've been an easy guess, but even to the most simplest man it wasn't easy to pick. Just think about it for a minute. If someone came up to you and said that for a lifetime-or any period of time-you can rule your own country or be given a billion dollars, fame or even be blessed with awesome powers unlike any human...or live a life that you never got to experience, no matter what bumps in the road comes. See how hard it was to choose?
What was harder for me to decide was that if I did choose the life of being mortal, who would I be? I wouldn't be the Nightmare King, the Boogeyman, anymore. I'd be Pitch Black...or Kozmotis Pitchiner, I wasn't sure of which name to choose. Maybe a mix of both. How could I easily merge into the lifestyle of the humans? I don't know how to drive, vote, find a job, balance a checkbook or even properly use a computer. I'm like the medieval knight living in 2015 that has no clue what this thing called technology is. Not only that, but if people asked, what would my backstory be? Everyone has one. They know their parents, their place of birth, any siblings or family memories, their first home, their ancestry...I can't tell them I was from a distant galaxy in an entirely different age than them! Nor can I lie to everyone and make up a story. I'll most likely forget it anyway. Alice had newfound friends at her workplace that she cherished a lot, and it would be a disappointment if they found out I lied to them about my past or made it so blatantly obvious I wasn't one of them.
...But knowing Alice, she could teach me that. She could teach me everything. I may not have studied financial literacy in the world I used to be in, or learned how to drive a car or even inherited some knowledge from my father and mother that could aid me now. Hell, I bet I did and I just have forgotten it over the centuries. But Sadie can teach me what she's learned, as can Alice, and I know the Guardians will keep in touch to aid us as well...maybe even Alice's friends could become mine as well. It's okay to admit to them that I don't know much about the American ways...right? It wouldn't be exactly lying if I said I was a foreigner. Because I was, and that would immediately tell people that I'm still getting used to life that they know well.
I think I've made my decision.
"I'm giving up my immortality and title."
Right as I said that, I felt...lighter, so to say. Like what I said aloud was something I truly felt in my heart that I sincerely meant, no lies or tricks behind it. A pain started pulsing in my skin, literally right underneath it. Everywhere on my body, this throbbing of pain made itself noticeable, making me cringe and look down to see what was wrong with myself. I honestly was stunned into shock at seeing my skin prickle with goosebumps and slowly, the glowing ebbing through the pores of my skin turned from the dull grey I was so familiar with, to the olive toned skin I had long ago. A old battle scar on my left forearm appeared, one that I earned in the last battle against the fearlings before they consumed me...it'll be a last memory of who I once was. The pain slowly lessened to a dull throbbing, like the feeling when you press down on a bruise. I felt drained of energy, but rejuvenated in every single way possible.
When I stood up, my legs almost gave out. I wobbled like a newborn filly, trying to get used to the new yet old self I used to be and will be now. When I opened the door that led to the workshop, the Elders were gone. Only the Guardians stood there, and their heads turned in sync at the sound of the giant, wooden door creaking open. All of their eyes widened, and then broke into giant smiles.
"Pitch!" North opened his arms widely, as if awaiting a hug, "You chose to be mortal?"
I tried smiling and standing up, but I had to lean against the door since my right leg gave out again. Jack was immediately at my side and held my left arm as I stood upright, and I nodded at him that I would be okay. He grinned and flew into the air, full of energy, "This is amazing! You're going to be with Alice and Sadie!"
"Yes, I will," I smiled at them all, "I'm sorry it took a while. There's no turning back from a decision like that."
"We understand," Bunny nodded slowly, "We all would've taken a while if faced with something like that."
"So you're not really Pitch Black anymore, huh?" Tooth asked, genuinely curious.
I shook my head, my smile not faltering, "You can still call me that if you'd like. But...I think I'll only be keeping my last name as a memory. I'll be returning to good ol' Kozmotis for now."
Tooth cheered and did a flip in the air, and Jack somersaulted around her in circles in excitement. Sandy smiled and patted my shoulder, showing his bountiful pride in my decision.
You really changed, Pit-uh...Haha! Sandy laughed himself, Koz. This'll take some getting used to.
"Tell me about it," I rolled my eyes, "Now Alice will have the burden to teach me everything of human life-Oh no!" I gripped my hair in panic, "They don't know! They're home! How can I get home without the nightmares?! I'm no longer their master!"
North glanced at Bunny, and then flashed a wild smile back at me. A look of utter glee and mischievousness glinted in sky blue eyes. I raised a brow, wondering what he was thinking. Now all of the Guardians had that same look in their eyes as they grinned at me.
"Well, Koz," North winked, "I think it's time you try out the sleigh. But first, let's talk business. After everything you've proven to us, we'd like to offer you something."
I gulped.
….
The sun shone brightly in the center of the sky, just a few minutes after noon. There was no cloud in sight, and the wind was so gentle and calm, one would think it was spring and not the ending of summer. Sadie and Alice were outside, picking weeds out of the brick path leading to the front door or swinging lazily on the tire swing. Alice stood up, dirt and grass staining her jeans from her work. Sadie looked over at Alice from under the shade of the oak tree, watching her wipe sweat off her forehead and take off her dirt covered gardening gloves.
Alice surprisingly has taken things well once they left. Sadie, in most circumstances, would think her older sister would panic and think of the worst to happen to her love, worry and brood until she got some sort of consolation. But she had to give Alice credit, because now that she and Pitch have developed a strong bond, stronger than iron itself, she had a sense of newfound faith and trust in people, even Sadie, no matter what tricks she pulled around the house.
The sound of a car cruising down the street made them look up at the road. Their street was often quiet, a very family-friendly road that had less car activity than the other nearby streets and lanes. But as this smooth, black 2015 Avalon cruised into their driveway, Sadie and Alice both stood up from their places and watched the car both curiously and nervously. Sadie quickly dashed across the driveway before the Avalon with tinted windows parked closer to the garage door, and stood close to her sister.
"Who is that? Is it your friend Emma?" Sadie asked, poking her side.
"No...I don't think so? She and Tom don't own an Avalon."
Out stepped a man dressed in dark jeans, a white v-neck t-shirt and a red blazer, staring at Alice and Sadie with such a hopeful and loving smile, it made it seem like he was a long lost relative. His skin was of an almost Mediterranean shade, and his golden eyes had a sense of warmth and comfort to them.
Wait...I know those eyes, Alice paused, afraid if she moved the man would immediately leave.
Alice's feet started moving on their own, slowly inching closer to this man that looks so...familiar. It even bugged Sadie. He definitely wasn't someone from school, he's too old to be a student and none of the staff had a male teacher or janitor that looked like him. He definitely wasn't from her workplace, because she would've met him before. He wasn't from their family because he didn't look related at all. His skin was darker than theirs by a little and no one in their family had jet black hair and gold eyes-
Wait a minute.
Alice stared at him, unblinking. The man smiled, showing white teeth. I know that smile...that face...Alice's hand touched the man's cheekbone, and immediately widened her eyes, Oh my god…
"Pitch?" now both of Alice's hands were cupping his cheeks, not believing that this was him. His human form, "Is this...really you?"
"Yes," His hands touched her face as well, stepping closer, "It's really me."
"You're….you're human…" Alice looked him up and down, and then once her eyes met with his face again, she beamed brightly, "You're human!"
He laughed and enveloped her in a tight hug, and Alice hugged him back, trying to keep herself from jumping up and down in excitement. Sadie's shocked face turned into absolute glee, finally knowing that Pitch has made the choice to live the rest of his life with them. This was what she's always wanted for her sister, as well as herself. Her family finally felt complete. It had a future!
Alice pulled away from him, still smiling broadly but wiping away her tears stubbornly, "I c-can't believe you actually g-gave up-!"
"Shh, love," Pitch kissed her forehead, "I'd give up anything for you. I mean it."
"When did you learn how to drive a car?" Sadie called from the back.
Alice and Pitch laughed at that brightly, smiling at the young girl who smirked back. Pitch linked an arm around Alice's waist as they walked towards the house...their house.
"Are you still Pitch Black? Or are you Kozmotis Pitchiner again?" Alice asked, lingering behind so she and her love could talk privately for a minute, "I don't want to screw up names since I've known you for so long."
He smirked at that, making his eyes sparkle with amusement, "I'm a mix of the two. How does Kozmotis Black sound?"
Alice giggled and kissed him quickly, and then pulled away with a giant grin full of happiness, "Sounds like you."
She noticed his eyes glance down at her lips, lost in thought at the kiss she gave him. He looked surprised at something, causing her to raise a questioning brow and ask, "What?"
"Your lips...they're so warm…" he murmured, touching her chin.
Alice softly smiled, her head inching closer to his for another touch, "Yours too...warmer than before…"
"You like it?" he grinned, planting a kiss on her nose.
Alice sighed and eagerly nodded, her own way of saying Hell, yes, and met with his lips once more, embracing him on the front steps of her home.