Chapter Text
Chapter One: Meeting
Pitch holds many titles.
The Boogeyman
The Nightmare King
And now Guardian of Children
The last label is a recent one. One that still tickles his funny bone.
Of all the things he imagines, becoming one of Manny’s Guardians was not on his list. Pitch admits that he’s a loner, someone who plays by his own rules and works with others - especially with the likes of the original Guardians.
But when Nicholas St. North invited him to the North Pole one evening for a cup of coffee and an important offer to discuss with Pitch, the Nightmare King decided to humor the Guardian. He was shocked when he was offered a place with the Guardians, and even more appalled that Nicholas was the one that extended his hand in friendship.
Pitch of course was suspicious of this. He is not one for partnerships and alliances because most try to establish rules or force him to work their way. He’s stubborn, he can admit, but it comes with his line of work. There is no room for errors in making sure the humans fear what is dangerous and go bump at night.
Unfortunately, not all Spirits understand this concept and believe that Pitch was the reason these fears affected humans. Some even maintain the idea that he was torturing humans for some sick and maniacal reason.
But it seemed that North knew better and understood Pitch’s Center. He saw Pitch’s involvement as a boon rather than a burden, and offered his hand in partnership.
It took Pitch a while to accept, and it took the other Guardians even longer to get used to the Shade’s presence. Sandy was a bit apprehensive at Pitch’s presence, but their interaction became a sort of friendly rival. They made a game to see who could give out the most dreams or nightmares to the young populace. Pitch won’t admit it out loud, but sometimes he enjoyed Sanderson’s quiet nature on those cold nights.
He did not enjoy the suspicious looks of Toothiana and Bunny but ignored them. At the very least, they gave him a wide berth, and he respectfully did the same. Sometimes Tooth had some of her fairies spy on him, but with Sandy around, she could not say he was abusing the Guardian’s and by extension, Manny’s trust.
Overall, the relationship between him and the Guardians worked very well, and he secretly looked forward to those evenings of coffee (or something stronger) with North and the small nightly games he had with Sandy.
It’s not perfect, but Pitch finds himself not troubled as the decades pass and the Dark Ages pass quietly into a new age.
It is rare for a new Spirit to be born without fanfare.
Furthermore, it is even rarer for a Spirit to be born without purpose.
So when Pitch Black came across an unknown young spirit with white hair, pale skin, and blue eyes being harassed by a weak Fire Demon, it did not take the Shade long for him to dispatch the foul creature. Burn marks and singed flesh was the price he paid, but it was worth it in his eyes.
When he turned to seek out the demon’s victim, he discovered that the other had disappeared during the scuffle. The only evidence that the spirit had been standing there was a small patch of ice and the rapidly melting snowballs that the spirit was using to pelt the demon.
Pitch did not tell the others about his encounter with the mysterious spirit now his run-in with the Fire Demon. For one, he wasn’t sure how the Guardians would feel about the discovery of a new ice spirit.
Like the spirits of darkness, spirits of the rime were associated with death and stagnation. The Winter Court was known for its cruelty, and its denizens held no love for humanity or spirits outside the Court. While they respect Manny’s power, every once in a while they will flex their power to remind every spirit of their might.
Another reason for not telling the others was that he did not want them to become overprotective with the emergence of demons and their ilk. Pitch can take care of them by himself.
He should exercise caution, but his curiosity won about the young spirit.
It was another 3 months when Pitch spotted the ice spirit, hiding behind a tree as he watched children leave to return home for the night. There is a sad longing and desperation in those cerulean eyes, and Pitch could sense that spirit desired companionship and feared being alone.
“They’ll return tomorrow. But the night in the forest is not a kind place for young children.”
The spirit’s head snapped, and Pitch almost chuckled at how the eyes widened as the spirit spotted his presence. He calmly raises both hands, showing that he came in peace. The Shade takes his time to inspect the other and almost frowns at how the other is dressed. Only a shabby brown cloak covered his shoulders, and the thin tunic-trousers outfit was not enough to keep him warm. What was even worse was the fact the young boy had no shoes, standing on the now growing ice slick beneath his feet.
“You can see me,” the spirit asked, and Pitch nodded. His mind estimated that the spirit had to be young when he was created- a teenager, most likely.
“Yes, I can, child. You are like me- a Spirit.”
The young boy frowned, trying to process the information that he provided. Pitch’s mouth mirrors the other.
“How long have you been by yourself?”
The spirit shrugged, reaching over to the tree and grabbing a gnarled staff that was covered in a light frost.
“I woke up one night and …” He twirled his staff around as if trying to figure out how much information to provide to the Shade.
“You heard a voice,” Pitch assisted. He points to his skull. “Inside your head, someone telling you your name.”
The other spirit’s eyes widened again and he nodded. “Yeah. I woke up next to an icy pond and walked into a village. But no one could see me.”
Pitch felt a bit of rage consume him. Even though he was fond of Manny, there were times when he questioned the Moon’s methods of handling things. Someone this young should not have to wonder alone with no concept of what they are and how their life has changed. There were too many foul and maleficent beings that could have taken advantage of this child.
He offered his hand slowly. “I am Pitch Black,” he introduced himself, hoping the other would provide his name.
The spirit looked at the Shade’s hand before he offered a small smile and reached out to grab it. “Jack Frost - at least that's what I was told.”
“Jack Frost,” Pitch repeated as he released the other’s hand. “Interesting name for an interesting spirit.”
Jack scratched the back of his head, seemingly embarrassed. “Yeah. I can make snow and ice,” he explained. “The children can’t see me, but I can interact with them using the elements.” He raised a hand and a small wisp of wind and ice swirls in his palm, creating a snowball.
“Fascinating.”
Jack offered a smile. “Thanks…” He took a step back. “I should leave now. Thank you for saving me last time.” And before Pitch could stop him, Jack disappeared, leaving the shade alone.
~End of Chapter