Hi, sorrythis is late, I've been studying. Thanks for the follows/favorites/reviews! Let me know how this chapter was, and if you want, make predictions for the next chapters. Thanks.
-Sixx
Chapter 2: A Chosen Path
Serenity stood up straighter, determined to not let whoever this was standing in the row of trees know that she was afraid.
If only that were possible.
"Who are you, what do you want, and how do you know my name?" She asked, trying to sound confident in herself, but instead sounding shaky and more like a five-year-old than an immortal thirteen-year-old.
"I am Pitch Black." The figure said simply, moving closer, away from the tree he was standing by.
She rolled her eyes, "Two things wrong with your statement there, buddy. First of all, that's either not your real name, which I was trying to get, or your parents really hated you. Second, telling me your name does really give me much of an idea of who you actually are. It just puts a name to a face."
Pitch moved closer to Serenity, now where she could actually make out his facial features. "Pitch wasn't always my name. You'll figure that out eventually. It will be explained in time, unless you figure it out first. I was told to meet you here, to give you an option."
He stopped talking, both waiting for a response out of her and to leave her in suspense.
"Well? Tell me about these 'two choices' you were sent from wherever to tell me about." Serenity said, understanding he wouldn't continue until she said something. She sat down on the ground, putting her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands.
"They're simple, really. You can join two sides. Either you can join the good side, where your brother chose to be, or you can join me, where you belong." He said, reluctant to mention her brother, in case that instantly decided for her.
"Alright. Hm. My brother, or a complete stranger, who could, for all I know, be some sort of child abductor." She said, looking at how completely dark everything was. "Ok, I'll pick one, sure, but first, Mr. Pitch Black, I'd like a drawn up chart of positive and negative effects of joining either side. I expect it on my desk tomorrow at 8am sharp." She joked, smirking at this stranger.
He looked at her, "The Man in the Moon intended for you to join me when he created you."
Fluidly, Serenity stood up again, "Two things, once again. I was 'created' by my mother and father, not someone in the moon. Second, what makes you think I should join you?"
"Oh, Serenity, you're making this far harder than it has to be," he started, "The Man in the Moon didn't create you technically, he just brought you back as a spirit."
They stood, staring at each other for a moment, until Serenity broke the silence.
"Never explained why I should work with you or for you or whatever."
"I am the boogeyman. The Nightmare King. Fear. I control fear. You, Serenity, have been given power over something that fear goes perfectly with. Darkness. You control the darkness. Your job is to keep it in equal balance with the light. I controlled darkness before you. The Man in the Moon gave that job to you. Now, to accomplish what I tried before, I need the darkness to work with me, something I can't do without you." He said, walking so that he was only a few feet from her.
"Not that I've made my decision, but if I'm keeping in check with light, then why am I not joining the Guardians, since they apparently are 'good'?" She asked.
"I don't think you're getting it. The Guardians basically are light. Light and dark don't mix."
"What, exactly, was it you tried to accomplish?" She asked.
"I tried to defeat the Guardians. But I realized something. The light and dark have to balance, good and bad have to balance, therefore, I think it was meant for the Guardians and I to balance. But they think fear is always bad. I'm working to get the Guardians to make it balance, but they won't do that through a conversation." He explained.
Serenity laughed, "Without fear, kids would run into the road and get killed, or burn themselves with a candle, or something worse. Yea, it should definitely balance out. I'm going to ask now, my brother died. How is he here, with these Guardian people?" She asked.
I thought she knew what happened to her brother.
"He's Jack Frost. The same thing that happened to you happened to him, except he was landed controlling winter." Pitch explained.
Serenity let out a little laugh, "Okay."
"Okay what?"
"I will join the Dark Side or whatever it is you want me to do." She said.
North, having received news from the yetis, called a meeting with the Guardians. As usual, everyone had already arrived, except Jack of course, who was almost always late to the unscheduled meetings.
While they waited, the elves hurried around, doing nothing specific, some carrying little trays of Christmas cookies, even though it was January 8th. Bunny and North argued over whether Christmas or Easter was more important, while Tooth buzzed around, commanding her fairies, leaving Sandy to sleep.
Jack arrived, bringing in a small gust of cool air with him. The other Guardians payed him no mind, until Sandy brought his arrival to their attention, causing North to instantly stop talking directly to Bunny and address the group as a whole.
"Man in Moon left yetis a message. Jack, you know Serenity?" He said.
"My sister, what about her?" Jack said, paying more attention when Serenity was brought up.
"Man in Moon has made her a spirit. She controls darkness." North said.
"So is she a new Guardian?" Tooth said, getting excited about the idea of another female Guardian.
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean, North?" Bunny said, moving closer.
"I mean," North said, dropping his voice, "She joined Pitch."