A/N:
So I apologize that I am late with this chapter. Between classes, the completed internship, personal family matters, and my children, I actually had writer's block for this story. Hopefully, it was worth the wait and I hope you enjoy it. Now if you excuse me, I am going to go watch Life After People episodes.
Lord Eros and the Guardians await Death's arrival. From there, they journey into the Nightmare King's domain, only to find a horrible discovery...
The tension in the air was so thick you could slice it with a knife.
Eros stood off to the side of the broken bed that stood over the tightly closed main entrance to the Nightmare King's lair. Both of his eyes were shut, as if he was asleep.
But Jack knew better.
Following the embarrassing dismissal from both Mother Nature and Father Time, North pulled out a snow globe. Allowing the portal to form, the Guardians and Eros himself stepped through and entered the forest that rested outside of Burgess. They quickly trekked through the woods, neither looking nor talking to each other. They finally arrived within several minutes, with dread in the pits of their stomachs. The Guardians stared at the broken wooden bed frame for what seemed like a lifetime.
"We will wait for Lord Death to arrive before you unseal the entrance." Eros finally spoke after a minute or two of silence.
"Eros, I don't think-," began Tooth.
"That's Lord Eros to you, and you don't think what?" Eros spoke angrily.
"I think she's trying to tell you that we'd rather get this done and over with." Bunny growled.
Eros narrowed his eyes, "That's too damn bad. We're waiting for him whether you like it or not. Besides, it has been 50 years since anyone has been down there, and we don't know the situation."
"Pitch's probably sitting there laughing his frickin' arse off. Which is why we need to go down and figure what the hell he's doing!" Bunny snapped.
Eros shook his head and smirked, "This is why Mother and Father put me in charge. We don't know the whole story and you fools will just make everything worse...like you usually do."
Sandy's eyes widened and he began sanding question mark symbols.
"Never you mind, Sandman. Just be quiet and wait." The Lord of Love then closed his eyes and that ended the conversation.
That was 15 minutes ago, and unfortunately Jack was bored. He wanted to run off and make a snowman, but one look from Eros told him that he was not in the mood for any tom foolery. Each Guardian was either sitting or leaning against the trees. Not a word was spoken.
Which was making Jack miserable, for he had so many questions. So he crept quietly to North, who was leaning against the tree with his head down, and poked him in the gut.
The Cossack looked up at him, "Jack, is everything alright?"
The winter sprite rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, I was wondering…what's Lord Death like? He's sounds...powerful."
North quirked his mouth to the side and then released his breath, "Supposedly he is the most powerful spirit in realm...third to Mother Nature and Father Time. He decides when you die and how. I have only met him once and he is… cruel. Lord Death is someone who you do not want to cross."
"Aww, such sweet things you say about me, Nicholas St. North."
Both Jack and North jumped, the latter pulling his sword out to strike at his unseen opponent. Only for said opponent to grab the weapon in his pale right hand.
"You must be truly fearless to try and strike Lord Death down. But then again, you Guardians wouldn't know what true fear is."
The Guardian of Wonder quickly pulled his sword away as if it were on fire and returned it to his belt.
"Lord Death. I see you are still the same." North pulled Jack closer to him as he if expected Death to take a bite out of the youngest Guardian.
"Jack, this is Lord Death. Lord Death, this is-"
"Yes, yes I know. Jack Frost. The newest Guardian of Childhood." Death said.
Jack unfortunately could not say anything in his defense. He just could not stop staring at the mysterious man.
He was as tall as North yet because of the black cloak, he could not see the rest of his body nor his form. The cloak was fasten with an object around his neck, the item shaped in a trinity blade. It was Death's face that held Jack's fascination. It was an ivory mask that covered his entire face from chin to the top of his head. There were four line vents across the front part where his nose would be. There were no eyes or mouth openings, and yet the person behind it spoke clearly and was able to see who was in before him.
"Lord Death. You're finally here," Eros said as he and the others approached the lethal spirit. The Lord of Love quickly grasped Death's outstretch arm in a tight grip with the other doing the same.
"Lord Eros, it has been awhile. How is business so far?"
"Terrible. It's just sex, sex, sex with these mortals. I ask you, where's the love?" Eros pulled his hand back, looking at Death as an old friend. The towering spirit then turned to face the other guests.
"Well, well, do my eyes deceive me?" Death said, his voice sounding amused, "The Sandman, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Kangaroo all together."
Sandy pouted while Tooth flew in front Aster who was raising his fist towards the tall Spector. North shook his head at Bunny, encouraging him to step back.
"Lord Death, please. We are on a deadline." Eros said, trying to get everyone back on task.
Death turned towards the broken bed frame. He walked toward it only to stop at the entrance. His head turned back toward North's direction.
"Really, this is why I was called? Eros, why am here dealing with... whatever is going on between the infamous Pitch Black and the Guardians?" he droned.
"Unfortunately, Mother Nature and Father Time deem it necessary that you accompany us. They do not trust the Guardians to deal with a delicate situation in the right manner," Eros said as he strolled past the Guardians and topped at Death's side, "I recently found out that Pitch has... acquired my famous Sleeping Beauty elixir and I must have it returned to me."
"...why don't you admit it was stolen by the bastard…" Bunny grumbled under his breath.
Death and Eros continued speaking, as if they had not heard the Guardian of Hope, but North gave a disappointed look at his companion.
"Bunny, please." Tooth said as she placed both hands on the rabbit's shoulder. He pushed her away harshly and answered in a hushed voice.
"You know this is bullshit! We're treated like we're the bad guys when we are trying to protect the world from scum like Pitch Black. I am sick of it. Ever since we became Guardians, we have been justifying our actions against Spirits who don't even know us."
Jack look questionably at Bunny 'What does he means?'
"As much as I love listening to you Guardians mutter to yourselves like maniacs in the crazy house," Death interrupted, "I have better ways to spend my time. So get over here, undo the enchantment and let's get the boogeyman."
North sighed and walked towards the broken bed frame. The others followed, only to stop, surrounding the entrance. Each Guardian held out their right hand while North's left hand pulled out a dagger from his coat pocket. He quickly slit his palm, closing the fist as he passed the blade to Sandy. Each Guardian slit their palms and closed their fists, waiting for the next one to finish. Finally, they held their bleeding fists over the bedframe and let one drop of blood each hit the bedframe. It glowed brightly and black heavy chains appeared in a flash. Then they groaned and crumbled into the ground.
North pulled out some gauze and begin wrapping it around his hand before bandaging the others. Death stepped up to bedframe and flicked his hand, making the bedframe move five feet away from the hole. He turned his head at the others.
"Well, shall we enter the boogeyman's lair?"
Jack stared at the cold golden globe which was Pitch Black's. The last time he was here, there were a few lights here and there. Now there was barely any. The winter sprite touched the globe, only to pull back from the cold surface. He couldn't stop staring at the lights even as the others behind him were arguing.
"We're not splitting up," Tooth argued as she fluttered near North. Eros rolled his eyes as he stood next to Death.
"We do not have time to look through each cavern one by one. It would be better if we separated. We would cover more ground much faster." Death spoke as he begin heading towards one of the openings.
"And what would happen if we encounter Black on our search and he's mad as a snake?" Bunny questioned as he stood next to Sandy.
Death stopped and turned toward the towering rabbit, "You protect yourself or give a very loud, dying scream. I'll be able to hear it." Death turned and gave them a wave as he walked through the entrance of a cavern.
Eros shook his head and walked over to another cavern, "I believe everyone should go in pairs. Tooth and North will head one way, Aster and Sandman will go the other way while Jack Frost and I will conduct our search that way." Eros said as he pointed to a stairway leading downstairs.
Jack turned when he heard his name, "Wait, what?
Bunny quickly hopped over in front of their young friend as if guarding him from the Lord of Love, "Wait, why is Jack with you?"
Eros looked at Aster with mock smile, "Because out of everyone here, I believe he will be the less annoying one in the group and ask needless questions."
Five minutes later, Jack proved Eros wrong.
"So, what's your center?"
"My what?"
Jack continued to walk at Eros' slow pace as he looked at his temporary companion. So far they managed to walk down the flights of stairs and into the underground cavern. There had been no screams or shouts to be heard, so it was safe to assume the others were not in trouble.
"You center? Mines is Fun, Tooth is memories, North is Wonder-"
"My dear boy, I do not operate like you Guardians. I don't have a 'center', I just do what my instincts tell me to do." Eros said quietly as he continued his search. He placed his hands on the walls for anything out of the ordinary.
Jack pouted as he followed the taller spirit. He realized that Eros wasn't much for making conversations when he was focused on something, and instead tried to help with the task at hand. Unfortunately, his attention span was waning.
"What are we searching for?"
"A door hidden among rocks or something out of the ordinary. He is probably holed up in a secret area where he believes no one can get to him." Eros said as he continued touching the walls.
"What are you going to do if Pitch really has your potion thingy?"
Eros turned toward the winter sprite and gave him a queer look. "It is called the Sleeping Beauty potion, and if Black has it, I'm just going to have to ask for it back."
"You do realize that Pitch would rather try to kill you than give anything up?" Jack said as he stopped to look at Eros in disbelief.
Eros looked thoughtful as he answered, "I actually know how Black would react and I know he has a reasonable explanation for borrowing my elixir." He turned back around and continued on.
Jack whistled, "You sure have a lot of faith in a guy who tries to ruin holidays, scare children, and steal things."
Eros stopped again and turned around quickly in anger, "You don't actually know him, Frost. How many times have you come across Black? Only a couple of times and during those times, he was fighting the Guardians. Not you. You only got involved because North pun a sob tale of bullshit."
"You don't know anything. You weren't even there!" Jack exclaimed as he stood his ground.
Eros stared down at Jack with contempt, "Child, everyone in the Spirit world know about the Easter Battle. News travels fast. Most of us may not like Pitch Black, but we hold no love for the Guardians either. And as knowing the Nightmare King, I have actually worked with him."
Jack's eyes widen in disbelief and shock, "What could Pitch help with in terms of love?"
"Have you forgotten, boy?" Eros began as he shook his head, "Has being a spirit, a Guardian, made you forget what it was like to be human? Mortals have many fears. When it comes to love and affection, fear plays hand in hand with it."
Eros looked down at his right hand as he continued, "They seek companionship because they fear of dying alone. They want children because they want to leave a legacy behind. Sometimes I needed Pitch push certain stubborn individuals into finding companionship. To make them fear of not meeting the right person, of rejection, to take a chance."
Jack was very quiet. He did remember. He remembered when he was human, he had a crush on a village girl his age, Abigail. She was very sweet and he always made her laugh with his silly games and jokes. He had planned on giving her flowers and professing his feelings to her the day after ice skating with his sister, but then the accident happened, and with it a new life. The winter sprite looked hard at Eros, as if seeing him for the first time.
The spirit looked back at Jack, "So you see, he is more than a person who scares children. He plays a part in making sure humans repopulate and spring more offspring for you Guardians to bribe. So don't you dare sit on your high horse and tell me how the world works. I have survived longer than you and your precious friends combined." Eros then huffed and began walking down the corridor.
Jack stood there for a second or two before running to catch up with the spirit. "Look I didn't mean to-"
"Save it, Frost. You're what, a little over 300 years old? You're a baby compared to the rest of us. You probably don't know nor care for anything outside the realm of your precious children," continued Eros, "I just have one thing to tell you…"
Here the spirit stopped and turned to look at Jack, "You're only in the children's mind from age 4-11 before they enter a thing call reality. After that, you are quickly forgotten by them, until they bring you up for their children, not because you're real or special to them. It is to keep the children happy while they put a quarter under their pillow, a present under the tree, and Easter eggs in the bushes. In a way, its a vicious cycle that can only be broken when there are no more children in the world."
Eros turned around and began heading down the corridor again with Jack following him silently. After two minutes, they came upon a disturbing sight.
"What the hell happened here?"
Jack cautiously walked toward the area covered in black sand, but it seemed like it was pulsing, still alive.
"I think this is what's left over of the Nightmares that dragged Pitch underground. You think he destroyed them?" Jack asked.
Eros walked over toward the pile and got on one knee as he cupped some of the black soot into his hands. The sand formed a tiny mare the size of his right hand. The black horse gave a weak whine before collapsing back into a pile of sand. Eros shook his palm of the sand and stood up.
"No, they probably ran out of food, and their forms reverted back into sand. They're dying in a way." He said.
Jack poked the sand with his staff as if expecting it to come to life, "But they did have a food source. It was-"
"Pitch Black. I know. So either they ate him completely or he managed to hold them off and force them to starve to death." Eros stepped over the sand and walked around the corner. Jack was still poking the sand when he heard the other spirit call to him.
Jack quickly joined his companion in front of a broken black wooden door that was barely hanging onto the hinged.
"I guess Pitch held himself here and the Nightmares managed to get in. The question is, where is he?"
Eros stepped through the entrance and into the bedroom with Jack following him. The first thing he noticed was that there was sand everywhere on the floor. It seemed as if the Nightmares died in here as well. The next thing he noticed was the furniture, or lack thereof. What was once a dresser had been smash into pieces and the mirror was broken glass on the floor. Next to it, was a white envelope with the words 'To Whom It May Concern' written on it. Jack was going to pick it up when he heard Eros gasp.
"Black..."
Jack looked up and directed his attention to where the spirit was looking at. There on the giant bed laid a sleeping, breathing Pitch Black.
"He's been here this whole time sleeping. I almost thought the boogeyman didn't sleep," Jack said in an amused voice. He turned to Eros only to stop when a look of horror crossed the spirit's face, "What's wrong?"
Eros shook his head in disbelief, "No, he wouldn't. Black knows better. Black knows!"
Jack got in front of Eros, "Look, calm down, and tell me what's wrong-"
Eros pushed Frost out of the way. "Don't just stand there! Look for the damn bottle!" The spirit of love went into a frenzy and began looking in corners and on the floor.
"Shh! You're going to wake Pitch up!" Jack said as he tried to stop Eros from acting crazy. Unfortunately Eros grabbed him and shook the sprite.
"Look at him, you stupid child!" Eros screamed as he forced Jack to look at the slumbering shade, "Do you think someone like Pitch Black would still be asleep if intruders entered his domain? No! He won't wake up to me screaming! He won't wake up to anything, not for a long time!" Eros threw Jack to the side and resumed his search.
Jack shook his head to clear the dizziness. Then he looked Pitch. True to Eros' words, the boogeyman neither stirred nor rose from his sleep. You would think with all the shouting going on, Pitch would be up and attacking them. But not a twitch. The Guardian of fun walked nearer to where the boogeyman's head rested. Cautiously, Jack placed his hand on Pitch's head, feeling how warm he was. He then looked on the nightstand next to him to see a clear vase standing on it. Jack tilted his head and then pick up the vase. He turned towards the other frantic spirit.
"Is this what we're looking for?" He asked.
Eros stopped what he was doing and looked at Jack. His eyes grew wide and he rushed over to the young Guardian. He grabbed the vase out of Jack's hands and sobbed.
"Was it...completely empty like this when you found it?" he rasped.
Jack nodded. Eros gasped and tears began to leak out of his eyes.
"Eros, what is going on? What's wrong?
Eros gritted his teeth and quickly wiped his eyes, "We need to get the others. Go find your friends. Just tell them we found something. Do not go into details. Just bring them here."
Flying at great speeds and finding the rest of the Guardians, Jack did as he was told even if Bunny was upset that he was not telling them anything. On their way to Eros, they met Death, who was coming from another cavern.
"Did you find Black?" he asked.
"We found something. That is all I am allowed to say." Jack explained, not looking at Death. He nodded at the young Guardian.
"Lead the way."
They arrived to the room where Jack left Eros, only to find him sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. The sullen spirit had in his left hand a large vase while he covered his face with his right. Death quickened his pace, kneeling beside him.
"Eros, what has happened?" he asked
"Death we have a situation-"
"Is that Pitch Black?" Tooth said as she pointed at the bed.
The Guardians (sans Jack) turned toward the bed. Quickly, Bunny and North pulled out their weapons and began to move towards the bed.
Only for Jack to get in front of them.
"Jack, what are doing?"
"Guys, there's no point attacking Pitch. He's been asleep the whole entire time-"
Bunny then got in his face, "Then we'll wake him up!" He tried to go around Jack but he still got in the way. "Jack-"
"He's right you know..."
Everyone looked at Eros. He gazed at everyone, tears flowing from his eyes, "Black will not wake up today or tomorrow, or anytime soon."
North looked at the despairing spirit, "What do you mean?"
Eros wiped his face as he spoke, "It was just as I feared. Black drank the elixir. Black drank the Sleeping Beauty potion."
Death reared back, "What?!"
"Wait... what do you mean Pitch drank the elixir?" Tooth asked as she fluttered closer to Pitch.
"STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" Eros suddenly stood up and threw the glass vase where Tooth was standing. It shattered against the wall but luckily, she fluttered out of the way in time.
"DON'T YOU IDIOTS GET IT?! PITCH IS ASLEEP! HE CAN'T WAKE UP! HE WON'T UP!" Eros then ran up to North and grabbed his neck, trying to choke him.
"WOAH!" Bunny roared as he tried to grab the distraught spirit, but fortunately, Death beat him to it.
"Eros! EROS! CALM DOWN!" screamed Death as he pulled him away from the flustered Guardian. Death lifted his pale right hand and smacked Eros cross the face. The spirit pulled away and began to breathe heavily. "I know you are angry but beating the crap of jolly St. Nick is not the way to go. Now get a hold of yourself and calm down."
Eros was shaking and still breathing heavy, but manage to take a deep breath. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "North, I want you to pick up Black. We must take him back to Mother Nature and Father Time." Death said calmly.
"Now wait just a-"
Death grabbed North by the collar. "Listen you fools. What we just found out changes everything. This is bigger than your little classic showdown of good vs. evil. You will shut your mouth, pick up his body carefully, and we are going to the Summit. I don't want to hear shit from you," Death said as he let go of North's clothing, "Or anyone else." He pulled away from everyone and began heading out of the room.
North looked like he wanted to say something, but one look from Sandy made him reconsider. He walked over and pulled the covers off of Pitch. His eyes widened in shock. The last time the Guardian saw Pitch, he was healthy looking for a shade. He was always skinny but he had muscles.
Now there was barely any weight on him. The body felt tiny in North's arm. He felt like he could easily crush the boogeyman with his hands. 'дерьмо́ If Pitch were awake, I would be deaf from screaming'
Eros looked at North and nodded, "Alright, let's head back to the surface. From there we will depart to the Summit and take him to the healing rooms. You are not allowed to leave until Mother Nature and Father Time give us the final word," Eros then began towards the exit of the bedroom, "Let us depart."
North walked out first, being careful with the boogeyman in his arms. Tooth and Bunny followed after him, leaving Jack and Sandy behind.
"If it is as bad as Eros makes it, what can we do?" Jack asked his companion. Sandy looked at him and gave him a sad smile. He pat the young guardian's leg and floated out of the room. Jack began to follow when he felt his foot step on paper. He looked down and saw the letter. The cursive words 'To Whom It May Concern' mocked him.
Why would Pitch write a letter?
Did he care?
Did he want someone to know why?
Jack bent over and picked up the letter. He stared at it for a few seconds before he heard his name being called. He quickly stuffed the letter in his jacket and flew out of the room.
Jack flew up and exited Pitch's home to meet the others. Death was standing by himself, his arms folded. North and the others were gathered, waiting for him. Eros was looking at the sun setting for the evening.
"Alright, North, take us back to the Summit. Lord Death, are you coming?"
Death unfolded his arms and began walking toward them. He suddenly stopped and looked behind him as if staring into the forest. Eros walked over and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Lord Death, what's the matter?" he asked.
The masked spirit continued starring into the darkening forest before shaking his head, "Nothing. Nothing at all."
Both walked over to the Guardians, where Tooth had a snow globe in her hand. She shook it, named the place where they needed to go, and threw it into the ground, causing a portal to open to them. Eros stepped through first, followed by North with Pitch, Sandy, Bunny, Jack and Tooth. Death stared into the area behind him one more time before entering the portal, which closed behind him.
If Death had stayed just a moment longer, he would have seen a shadowy figure step out from behind the trees with amused green eyes and a sinister grin.
'Well, this seems very interesting. I wonder how he would take this turn of events.'
The figure disappeared, leaving only the scent of brimstone in the air.
I hope you enjoy this chapter but I am not apologizing for this cliffhanger. You'll find out more in the next chapter. I hope I didn't make Eros too harsh with Jack. I felt really bad and to literally have a heart of stone for that scene. Don't worry, it gets worse.
Also those who are familiar with Nightmare Dork University and Pitch's Wardrobe, I have started a new story called The Guardians and the Three Pitches which feature movie verse Pitch Black, book verse Pitch Black (Pitchiner) and Proto. I did not post here, because it might contain very, very nasty sexual content (I mean think about it, Pitchiner looks like he just stepped out of a bondage club) and I do not want the story deleted or my account banned because someone cannot handle a little threesome fantasy sex. It is rated E, so if you don't feel comfortable reading stuff like that, don't look for this story. I have not gotten that far, but it will happen.
Here is the link for the story: /works/4155195/chapters/9375198
If it does not work, just send me a message and I will try to email you the link