I was going to make this chapter longer, but I wanted to publish today. I think I ended it on a cool note. Ema gives a little exposition.
We attempted to drive the cloud away from the fight, keeping out of Pitch's gaze. We ended up settling into an empty ally way. Once away from the action, I laid back and let out all the breath I was holding in. Now I could relax for a brief moment; Kayla's cloud sure was soft.
"Don't worry Ema," said Kayla. "Should Pitch show himself to try to destroy you, I'll protect you, Just like my Dad did in the past!"
"We should hope he doesn't show himself, and just leave this for the Guardians to handle."
"Aren't you a Guardian too?"
"Not technically, I never took the oath." I sat up. "I am a protector though, and I have a soft spot for kids." I ruffled her hair.
"How old are you Ema?"
"Imagination is timeless, don't you know?"
"I didn't ask how old your center is, whatever that is." I sighed at her retort.
"You got me; I think its best you don't know. Us myth and legends, we're concepts; people have many different ideas about us that never stick, that's because we're not allowed to get to know them personally. So everyone has their own ideas about us."
"Why is that the case?"
"I don't know," I said, throwing my arms up in the air. "It's a stupid rule, and I didn't write it." I looked at her. "How do you think people would react if they knew magic was real, and not because they believe it to be true, but that they knew the actual fact?"
Kayla looked puzzled, and shrugged.
"Lots of adults don't actually believe in us, they believe in science. Lots of adults don't believe in anything but facts."
"Does science exist; I mean if you do…?"
"Yeah, it exists, it exists for the adults. Science and what's beyond it happen at the same time simultaneously. What's "real" to adults is more cause and effect, and we're like a catalyst. Winter storms and snow days are caused by wind and pressure and all that, but it's Jack who stirs it up and brings it to where he wants. People are dehydrated and scared when they see things, but I decide what they see. Sometimes I just spark something, and they do all the work. Just like how Jack brings fun into the world."
"So you can choose to see it," said Kayla.
"It's a leap of faith," I said. "I can be as old as you want me to be. If adults knew I actually existed, they would not be happy. I don't think they like being wrong."
Kayla looked me over. "I'd say you're a little bit older than me."
"Oh," I apparently misread her. "You meant physically." She nodded.
"You said you had a soft spot for kids, but you might be one."
"I'm a shapeshifter, I'm never one thing. I do like this form more than the rest, very earthy. I could make myself darker, but that might be black-face or cultural appropriation at this point. Let's just say I'm a tween to young teen."
"So why are you so protective of kids?"
"Because I am one, got to stick out for my group you know," I said turning white as paper. Kayla crossed her arms at me. I looked down and saw what I was doing. "Aw man, don't make me say it."
"Well…?"
"Once upon a time I was a big sister, and I guess I'm projecting a little." I turned pink.
"Aww…that's sweet." I turned back to normal. "So how long do you think this will go?"
"Last time, the guardians fought Pitch Black until the Sandman restored the balance. The Demons of Halloween are on vacation, so we could be fighting him all night."
"All night!?" Kayla looked forlorn. "No more candy then?"
"Do you still have some on you?" Kayla looked confused. "Candy (or sugar) gives me a bit of a boost, so much so I go crazy. It might be just the boost I need to get back in the fight." I was fibbing here, I had no idea if it would help or not, but I did want some.
"I did draw some straps so I could wear my pillow case on my back when I went to fight the fear." I clapped in excitement and giddily laughed. She reached behind her. "Oh yeah, I gave my bag to the Easter Bunny to drop off in Santa's sleigh once the fighting started. I didn't want to lose it, and it was distracting with it bouncing around."
"Aww," I deflated a little, with a sound effect to boot. "Oh well, one could hope."
"So how do you think the fight is going?"
Let's see, first Pitch tried to corner us in ally way. I found my center, helped the kids escape, and sent them off to fight the fear. I then fought Pitch on my own, Jack joined the fight, and we got captured by a sand tornado. The guardians and Cupid joined the fight, they fought off Nightmare versions of us, and we had to fight nightmare versions of them. We escaped, and now I'm recuperating with Kayla in an ally way, whilst the groundhogs trap nightmares to keep them from getting closer, and the guardians and Cupid fight a giant sand Pitch Black.
"I feel like we're not quite done yet," I said. "He has his nightmares and his sand, but where's he?"
"So the sand Pitch Black is a distraction?"
"Right you are," said an eerily familiar voice. We turned to the sound. Pitch had appeared out of the shadows. He probably was searching all the shady spots of town to see if we were nearby, and his nightmares getting trapped by groundhogs only helped to pinpoint where we were. I tried to form a wall in-between us, but it was see through, and it wasn't enough to stop his shadow travel.
"Ahh," I said groaning, "Can't I get enough of you? Everywhere I turn these days, you show up! I need a break already," I said plopping back on the cloud.
"Your paleness gives you away, Ema Fay," said Pitch. "You're afraid." I got back up.
"Only a little," I confirmed. "You don't really want to destroy me, you want to make me suffer, and you want to make Jack suffer; for beating you, for spiting you, for insulting you, for being against you. After the suffering you might destroy me then, if I'm not so broken by that point I snap and turn dark. How petty you are."
"Say what you want Ema, it won't change what will happen."
"You're right, it won't," I grinned. "You'll still lose."
So yeah, you know how in adaptations everyone has a basic idea but it's different every time, you can blame the dumb rule of not getting close to people. Also,...yeah, Ema is white, but she is a shapeshifter. The reason I made her white was so her powers could work better, (also she was a colony person from near 300 years ago). I once read this thing that said that a colored man said a white person deserved to be called colored more than he because white people are a palette of changing colors. Other than that, she is entirely brown: eyes, hair, clothes, and was blonde and blue eyed before becoming a myth.
Anyways, hope I didn't offend anyone. Sorry the chapter is still short. Hope you stay tuned for the next one!
Admiringroseblossom11
