Valentine's Day had came a lot quicker than anyone thought. Many of the villagers were excited for the Valentine's Day picnic, especially a certain mischievous teenager. Pitch had to listen as Jackson went on and on about getting 'the couple' together. It was a very amusing sight.

Pitch had kept his promise to his brother and visited every morning and some nights when he had time, over the last couple of weeks. He talked and entertained the two children during the night before Sanderson's sand could put them to sleep.

Pitch was getting anxious that his battles with the Guardians were starting to get closer to Burgess. Pitch had used his time by making many nightmares, a lot more then he usually made. He managed to station about two dozen nightmares around the village just in case those wretched Guardians decided to attack.

He knew he must have alerted the Guardians with his recent activities in the village. Sure he managed to hold them back for now, but they were getting to close. He couldn't really keep them out of this village without giving away his true purpose. In truth, after he found Jackson he was in high spirits and fought twice as hard to keep Jackson safe.

He smirked as he remembered their faces when they saw his army of nightmares. Let's just say that Jackson was very helpful when he gave his input on improving his designs of his newest nightmares. In fact these nightmares were more sturdy and durable then the previous ones and was able to go head to head against the Guardians, especially North and that wrenched pooka. He loved having his brother back in his life again.

"Father?" Pitch smiles warmly as his daughter exited from the forest near his lair. Emily Jane Pitchiner, or as the humans know her as Mother Nature, was the spinning image of her mother. Emily had long, flowing black hair that reached passed her lower back. She wore a beautiful green gown, but he knew that she could change it at will. Grey-greenish eyes stared at him in question and warmth. "I came as soon as I got your nightmares. Is it true? Did you really find Jackson?"

Pitch had tried to send a few nightmares to his daughter, but the Guardians had cornered them and destroyed them without a second thought. With the help of two very cleaver, very upset, children, together they hatched up a plan to get in contact with his daughter. He was thrilled when the two suggested they make two troops. The first was a large group of nightmares to distract all of the Guardians, while they were busy a smaller group of three nightmares would go and inform Mother Nature. It worked like a charm.

"Yes, I have." He reached out a hand for her to grasp. "Come." She grasps his hand and they both walk into a shadow. Pitch and Emily exit through the shadow of a small cottage's hallway. Emily gives him a questioning look as Pitch guides her to the kitchen. "Give them a minute," he tells his daughter. "Flee should be coming back from school and Jackson should be back from his hunting."

"Oh?" She said with a raised eyebrow. "May I ask why Jackson is hunting and not in school as well?"

"The schools weren't up at the time," Pitch said with a shrug. "Kids his age are required to work in the fields and support the family, or get married and settle down." Pitch spoke the last part in distaste. He really didn't like the humans customs of forcing the children of growing up too fast. Emily poised her lips between dislike and sadness.

"He should be in school," she said, her motherly instincts kicking in. "He is far to young for marriage, despite what my children believe. I will not tolerate ignorance."

Pitch chucked. "At least we agree on something."

"What's that suppose to mean father?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing," he said with a smooth smile. "It's just that we haven't seen eye to eye in ages."

"You tried to make Katherine you're Fearling Princess," she commented in a cold voice.

"You, jus assumed that," he said unfazed. He was used to his daughters temper. "I was using her as bait to destroy the Guardians."

"Seriously father?" Emily asked in exasperation. "Don't you think you were going a little too far?"

Pitch shrug. "Maybe a little," he said in agreement. "But you must understand that they were planning on using that weapon to destroy me in hopes of destroying fear. Idiots." Despite her displeasure of the way her father chose to react, she couldn't help but agree. The Guardians were fools if they thought they could destroy fear. That would destroy the balance. And everyone knew that it was her job to preserve the balance, whether she remained neutral or not.

"You do have a point father." They entered the living room and made themselves comfortable. "As much as I hate it, MiM is just as much fault as the Guardians are." She glanced at him. "If I recall it was MiM's idea to send the Guardians and Nightlight after you tried to give every children nightmares. How is that going by the way?" She asked as she moved her hair to the side, away from her face.

"Good as it can ever be," Pitch said with a sigh. "The Guardians make it difficult, but I've managed." Emily gave him a sympathetic look. "Though I'm worried that might recent activity might bring them here."

"You're worried they might go after Jackson?" Emily frowned at this. The Guardians were blind fools, even she could see that.

"Yeah, I am." Pitch runs his hand through his hair. "You remember what happened when they found out you were my daughter." She snorted at that. She certainly did remember that. The fools. "Jackson might still be a child, but I can't help but worry about them using him to get to me. Those fools will do anything to defeat me."

Emily's face twisted in distaste, eyes narrowing coldly. "Yes, father. I understand you concerns. Learning you have a daughter is one thing, but finding out that you have a younger brother is something totally different." She paused in thought. "MiM and his Guardians are blind to the truth. Believing that anyone related to you is bad. Bunnymund still hates you and so does Nicholas." Pitch scoffed at this. "But if they think I'm going to let them get within five feet of Jackson," she smile cruelly. "They are sadly mistaken."

Pitch burst into laughter. "You my daughter might be more crueler then me."

Emily smiles brightly. "I learned from the best."

"Indeed."

"Koz, is that you?" Pitch and Emily look toward the door as Jackson enters with five rabbits and a basket of berries.

Jackson enters the house with the smile. he had done good today. They would be eating good for the next couple of days, then again Kozmotis tends to bring lots of food for them and clothing for them to wear. He blinks as he hears a female voice. He almost dropped the basket he was holding when he recognized the voice. Tears began to sting his eyes when he was right. In the living room,sitting next to his brother was Emily.

"Emily!" Jack puts his caught on the table before rushing to hug Emily tightly. "Oh my gosh! You're here! You're finally here!" Emily smiles warmly as she returns the hug.

"Oh, Jackson. I'm so glad your safe. How have you been?"

"Good!" Jackson said as he pulled away. "Are you coming to the picnic with us?"

Emily looked at her father, who shrugged. "I guess, but no one will see me."

Jackson smirks. "Does it really matter? Me and Flee will see you and it would be nice to have some company since Koz can't go in the light." Jackson smiles innocently as Kozmotis glares at him. "What? You know it's true. Don't lie!"

Emily laughs as Jackson continues to play innocent, while her father glares at him. "I'll have you know that I am very busy. These Guardians are getting too close and I don't plan on given them the chance to attack me at this village." Jackson pales at the mention of the Guardians

"How close are they? Are they going to attack us?" He asked worriedly.

Emily places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Jackson. The Guardians will not harm you or Flee. I will help put up a protective barrier if I must."

Jackson looked at her in question. "You can do that?"

"Of course," Emily said brightly. "Isn't that right father?"

"Umm…yes…" Pitch said, still taken aback that Emily suggested the barrier before he could ask.

"It's settle then. But we will work out the details later. Where is your sister?" Emily asked.

"She should be-"Jackson began to say before he was interrupted by his sister's voice.

"Jack, I'm back! And Jamie is with me!"

"Over here Flee!" Jackson turn away from his brother and niece and walks towards his sister and soon to be boyfriend.

"Hey, Jackson. Ready for the picnic?"

"You bet!" Jackson's eyes twinkled in mischief. "This is going to be fuunnn!"

Flee gaves him a pointed look. "You're not planning of pranking the Barkin siblings, are you?"

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Jackson asked innocently.

"I know you," Flee replied.

"You could always help me," Jackson said with a grin.

"And get killed by them?" She shrieked. "You're on your own."

"You're loss," Jackson said cheerfully. "You should go get ready. Mom will be back soon and then we will leave." Flee smiles and walks pass them to go to her room. Jackson grabs Jamie's arm and drags him to the kitchen. "Come on we have to talk."

Pitch smirks as he watches the exchange between the three children. He held himself from laughing as Jackson drags the poor kid to the kitchen to tell his long waited speech that he prepared days for.

"Am I missing something?" Emily asked.

"Jackson's been planning weeks on this lecture for the younger boy." Pitch smirks. "This will be very amusing."

Emily was confused for a moment until she listened to the two boys' conversation. Emily shook her head when she realized that Jackson was playing matchmaker. Oh this was amusing.

Several hours later the Overlands, Bennetts, and Mother Nature reached their picnic area. Everyone in the village had their own little groups for the picnic and were conversing among themselves. The girls were busy setting up the picnic area, while Jackson continued to 'talk' to Jamie. Jamie was looking nervous the more Jackson talked about what he planned on doing later.

"You sure she'll like me?" Jamie asked for the ten time that day.

"Of course, I'm sure." Jackson gave a confident smirk. "Would I ever trick you?"

"Yes, you do it a lot." Jackson laughed sheepishly.

"Well, yeah. I guess you're right. But I'm serious this time." Jamie sighed, knowing that it was either this or risk Jackson telling his sister instead.

"Fine, you win. When do I give her the flower?" Jamie glanced in Flee's direction.

"That's up to you kiddo. You could do it now or you can do it when you two are alone. I can personally distract the adults while you do this."

"Later sounds good," he said with a sigh of relief. "But aren't you doing your prank later?" Jackson smiles mischievously.

"Yep! It's going to be fuuunnn. It will keep them busy for awhile." Jamie laughed. No matter what was going on, Jackson always seems to make people smile.

"Jackson, don't change. Don't ever change."

Despite being invisible to everyone, Mother Nature was having a wonderful time. The picnic was wonderful, even if she didn't eat, but it was beautiful nonetheless. She kept an eye out for the three children as the adults conversed. She smiled warmly as Jackson pranked two older boys. How on earth he managed to get them covered in feathers was beyond her. The wind blew softly as she laughed. She know who Jackson got his mischievous side from and it wasn't from her father that's for sure.

Jackson was laughing as the mad boys chased him. The adult on the other hand had mix feelings. Some were smiles and shaking their heads at the scene, others were laughing along with the children, while others scoffed at the scene and mumbled for Jackson to act his age.

She rolled her eyes at this. Jackson wouldn't be Jackson if he was anything but mischievous. With a smile she send the wind to help Jackson in his play. The wind was more then happy to help. She wanted to play with the child. The child might be Pitch Black's brother, but he was also Mother Nature's uncle. So in right, the boy was to be protected and played with. The child was very interesting in Wind's eyes, if she had any.

While Wind went to play with the child, Mother Nature noticed the two child walking away in the distance. She raised any eyebrow wondering what Flee and Jamie were up to, but she didn't dwell on it. Her father was near by to watch them if something was to arise.

Pitch watched with a smile of his own as Jackson, with the help of Night, dumped feathers on top of the two boys. A few nightmares in the shadows neighed at this. They were clearly amused by this. Over the weeks Pitch noticed his increase in power. He was able to make nightmares more rapidly, in addition to making nightmares that were able to move around during the day. But that was only because of Jackson's powers. Jackson's powers were coming along nicely too, Pitch mused to himself. In time he would be able to make his own creatures as he sees fit. Emily did say that when he was older she wanted to offer him a position as her new Winter Spirit. It would be about time she found a replacement for Old Man Winters. He had dies how long ago?

Pitch was snapped out of his thoughts as a nightmare told him that two children were entering the woods. Pitch traveled through the shadows to see who. Pitch wasn't surprised when he found Flee and Jamie talking. He stayed hidden, knowing that it was part of Jackson's plan. He watched with a amused smile as the boy shifted from foot to foot awkwardly.

"I've known you for a long time and I love hanging out with you. You don't have to feel the same way, but I like you more then just a friend. I was hoping maybe you would let me take you out for dinner tonight at my families cottage. If you want."

Flee looked at him with wide eyes, but she smile nonetheless. "I like you too Jamie. I would love to go to dinner with you."

Jamie was shocked when Flee suddenly hugged him. But he smiled when she said yes. "Great! I'll come by before supper then. We should probably head back," he told her after they separated. "I'm worried Jackson might have overdone it this time."

Flee laughed. "No one can stop the King of Pranks. Those two are no match for him."

"True, he is good with plans."

"What you mean?" Flee asked as the walked back to the chaos that Jackson started.

"He was the one to help me ask you out. I probably would have waited until next year if it wasn't for him."

Flee blinked at him before laughing again. "So this was his plan all the long. I should have known he had an alternative motive."

Jamie chucked as well. "Maybe, but that's Jackson for you." Flee nodded as they continued to walk out of Pitch's line of sight. Well, things turned out a lot better then he thought. Pitch turned to a nightmare that was trying to get his attention. He glanced at it when he noticed that his daughter was behind him.

She smiled at him. "They make a cute couple."

"That they are." Pitch gave a worried look when he realized that she wasn't with Jackson. "Is there something wrong? Is Jackson okay?"

"He's fine father," Emily said with a small laugh. "I have Wind looking out for him. She seems to take an instant liking to him."

"Really?" The four winds were not always the most friendliest of spirits. Even he didn't dare to upset one. It was a surprise to see Wind take a liking to his brother so quickly. "Did she have a reason?"

Emily shrug, still uncertain herself. "She said it was a feeling or something."

Pitch nodded. "I see. Was there something you needed?"

"The barrier." Pitch frowned a bit.

"Right, which one should we make?" He asked. "Jackson needs to be protected, but I don't want to attract them either."

"How about a non-magic barrier?" She said thoughtfully. "They will be able to enter and exit, but their magic will be cutoff within the barrier if they are seen as a threat towards Jackson."

"Alright," Pitch said with a protective gleam in his eyes. "The Guardians are going to be for a surprise if they ever get near him."

A powerful pulse of magic was felt instantly. They all were curious about what their mother was doing. If she was summoning a barrier, then something must be up. They were curious what moron upset Mother Nature this time. They all sensed the magic of protection, even when they were in their required locations to spread their seasons.

It was then when they felt it. Mother Nature was summoning them to the palace for a meeting in a few hours. Something must be up if mother wanted them. What was going on?

Bunnymund shivered as powerful spring magic pulsed through his Warren. Whoa, nelly! The Sheila sure was mad! He was glad he wasn't the object of Mother Nature's anger. A mad sheila was never a good thing, especially one that can control the natural balance of the planet. Maybe he should tell North about this. MiM knows what disaster can happen when a very angry Mother Nature is on the loose.