!Previously the story was called Fear is the Greatest Guardian!

Chapter 10

The Gift of the Moon

Sandy rushed back to North's workshop. It didn't matter how unreasonable the Cossack was at the moment, it was about Jack's life for the MiM's sake and theoretically he was one of them, as the Moon had chosen him to be the guardian. The golden spirit only hoped that he would be able to put some arguments into North's head. He might have been questioning Sandy being his friend but he would never question MiM, he respected his choices and the winter sprite was one of them. The Guardian of dreams created a small cloud of golden sand that let him float up to the top of the mountain where his friend's place was situated.

The golden spirit literally stormed into the Workshop but right after that he immediately stopped, being completely stunned by what he had seen. To his complete surprise he was greeted by a hubbub, the Yetis were bustling all around the place, as if given a big amount of tasks. It would have looked like North went back to working on the presents, if the atmosphere hadn't been so tense and definitely unwelcoming. He felt an unpleasant squeeze of nervousness in his stomach, something was apparently going on, and this was not something good. He made his way through the crowded room to look for his friends and prevent them from whatever they were preparing. He had a bad feeling that it had a lot to do with his brother. He reached the door to North's office and before knocking on the door he listened for a moment to the conversation coming from inside.

"Nick, mate, this is madness!" Sandy recognized the aussie accent of Bunnymund.

"I told you already, I will not spare anything on this 'expedidtion', this has to end. You've agreed with me, Bunnymund, you have to cooperate" Nickolas North responded and by the sound that came next, it seemed that he had slammed his fist on the table.

"The boy must be taken safely" the Pooka stated in a calm voice changing the topic, after a while of silence.

"At his own will or by the force, whatever" said North not really interested in the boy's matter. The shuffling of a chair followed by few steps was heard, which probably meant that North stood up from his desk. Sandy moved a little bit away from the door, but he remained close enough to still hear them.

"Maybe you do not care for the boy, but he still is the one chosen by the Man in Moon" Bunny said apparently doing his best to stay calm.

"Fine" The Cossack agreed shortly "I remind you that he is responsible for ruining your Easter. And he is the one who sided with him. But be it your way, safely. We will deliver him here and may the Man in Moon do whatever he has planned"

"I still think we should…"

"Leave the thinking to me, Aster" North interrupted him sharply, but the Pooka ignored and carried on.

"… ask Man in Moon about all of this. Nickolas, whatever we do, we must consult it with MiM first, he made as who we are today, do not forget what we owe him. The loyalty you talk about all the time, do not forget yours along the way"

"Don't lecture me about loyalty, I am not the one who should be told that" North hissed through his teeth "He has made it very clear that friendship means nothing to him, even the commitment to his own father…"

Sandy felt something sharp in his heart, knowing that his former friend was referring to him, not even bothering to use his name. It hurt to know that it took a moment for his friends to completely turn against him. The sandman understood that the situation with Toothiana pushed them toward the edge of emotions, he himself was just as much worried for her as the rest, but he started fearing that North would never be himself again. What if Toothiana died? This would be the end of the Guardians. First her, then Jack… something was trying to slowly destroy them, so they wouldn't even notice. Without them, the world could be easily taken over by the darkness that once ruled. He took a deep breath feeling that the moment was good for him to step inside. He rose his hand and brought it to the wooden door. He knocked twice and waited for the answer.

"Come in" The Russian voice sounded and Sandy pushed the door opened.

He found North standing on the opposite side of the room looking through the window with his hands clasped behind his back. The pale light of the rising sun illuminated the study His study. It was barely the dawn and they looked like they had been discussing throughout the whole night, while he had been exploring the secret library. The must have been making plans against Pitch. His dark bushy eyebrows plunged into a frown, blue eyes immediately narrowed and darkened the moment the Russian turned to face Sandy. Bunnymund was leaning over the map his paws were resting on the North's desk that usually was a mess, now there was only this piece of paper, probably a plan for their 'expedition'. The Pooka bit his lip when he raised his eyes to look towards the opened door, his expression wrote the words 'You shouldn't have come here' not in an unfriendly way, but concerned… He remained silent though and waited for the Cossack's move.

"What are you looking for here?" He spoke clenching his teeth.

"I know I am not welcome here, but there is something we need to talk about" Sandy started. This was going to be a hard conversation.

"I have nothing to say to you. Unless you tell me that the bastard is not your brother"

"The Man in Moon's secret library, North, I found it just hours ago" He continued ignoring North's rude interruption. The Cossack couldn't hide his interest, so he brought his hand to his chin covered by a long white beard and then gestured for the sandman to carry on.

"I found the ancient book, the one that could answer all the questions. From what I found out it seems that… that Jack's life is in danger. Maybe you do not care much, but we are the guardians, we are to protect"

"There is no 'we' anymore, you chose it, Sanderson" North folded his arms.

"I am the Guardian, one of you, as long as the Man in Moon, my father, doesn't say otherwise"

"I must agree with Sandy, mate" Bunny finally spoke "The Man in Moon showed us Jack, maybe he wanted us to protect him from the danger. Now, what exactly did the Book tell?"

"The book showed me that Jack is the way for us to get along, he is the key to our quarrels, he can bring us together. But there is a curse placed on him… really old and dark. It… it will lead to his death. And apparently we don't have much time. But we must find a way to save him"

"I don't need any 'bringing us together', I am not the one who had betrayed" North said coldly but the added "However, the boy is chosen by MiM, so I guess we have to discuss this matter with him"

"I think we are dealing with someone who really wants us to fall apart. Just look, how easy it would be for the Bringers to bring the darkness upon the world without us protecting it. First Toothiana, now Jack…"

"Mate, think about it. Who shot Tooth?" The Pooka told "Who is Jack with all the time?"

"Are you suggesting that…"

"Now it makes sense. I know it is hard for you as you really much want to believe that your brother can be good again, but it all looks like his perfect plan to make us fall. He shot Toothiana to play with our emotions, knowing that it would be tough on us. He is also old spirit just like you, mate, he could easily cast the ancient curse on Jack. Maybe he took him in a long time ago just to fulfill his plan. He can't be changed, I am sorry Sandy" Bunnymund said walking over to the golden spirit and put a paw on his shoulder "He has used the boy for his plan, this is why MiM wanted us to get Jack. Now you see that he has to be stopped, once and for all"

"I… I don't know. I need to think about this" Sandy told after a while and quickly left the office. After Bunny's statement he felt like everything in his brain turned upside down. He made his way out of the Workshop, he really needed time to think through this again, alone without anyone telling him what was right and what was not. The truth is that he really wanted to believe that Pitch could be changed. But he couldn't deny it, if it appeared that he was only using the boy for his long planned intrigue. He feared it, fighting against his own brother, especially now when he had so much hope for them to reunite. But he eventually had to accept the fact that his friends, the children, the world would never be safe, as long as the Nightmare King is out there.

The time stopped for Pitch the moment he saw the woman standing outside. It had been ages but he still perfectly remembered her face always covered with a smile, her soft voice and eyes full of empathy, golden just like Sandy's. His dear sister who had always stood by his side unlike the rest of his family. But it couldn't be, she was long dead after she had become a human, it was impossible… unless the fearlings came back to torture and poison his mind with illusions of what he had lost. No, they would not get into his head again, never again. When she made a move towards him he stepped back and narrowed his eyes.

"I am not a fool" he said "If you want to mess up with my head, I won't give up so easily"

"I understand you, brother" she said, her velvet voice echoed in his ears "I know what they had done to you" her expression changed into one full of compassion "But I am here now, to protect you from the darkness that is approaching, both of you"

He turned towards Jack who hasn't moved from where he was sitting and watched the whole situation not wanting to interrupt them. Maybe, just maybe it really was her. A part of him wanted to believe it, embrace her, but the other part of him kept questioning how it could be possible. Man in Moon? Until he wasn't sure it wasn't a lie, he couldn't risk it, as she could harm Jack. Katarina looked deep into his golden-silver eyes, she could read from them all of his concerns. She offered him a small smile and came a little closer.

"I was brought back to finish my purpose, Kozmotiz, by our father. Something dark is coming, it wants to take Jack away from you. Believe me, my purpose is to protect you" Katarina spoke and when she was standing close enough she raised her hand and brought it to Pitch's cheek. In response to her touch He felt a warm shiver going through his body. In the corner of his eye he noticed Jack's shocked expression. He looked down at his hands to find them no longer pale but natural, he felt his hair grew longer, reaching his shoulders. He found himself not in his usual black robes, as they were now in a deep green color with some golden parts of an armor – the same he had been wearing back in the golden age.. when he was Kozmotiz.

"Do you remember… the times before you became the Nightmare King? I remember it and I hold those memories close to my heart, brother. There is still Kozmotiz in your heart" She said before she took her hand away and he was back in his boogeyman form, to him, it was his only true form. He breathed and shivered again as the warm feeling left his body.

"If you really are who you claim to be, you must tell me everything" He finally spoke and walked over to Jack, just in case she turned out to have bad intentions.

"Well" she said and let out a sigh "After the fearlings had turned you into one of our mother's servants, a Bringer of fear and nightmares, the war had to continue, but I couldn't… I couldn't fight against my second brother, I already had to fight one, it was too hard. But as a Guardian it was my duty to fight the darkness, so I prayed to our father to end my suffering. He changed me into a human, I could live a life where I wasn't forced by duties to turn against my own family. I was free. You know, I had a family, two kids and we lived in a small village. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to contact any of you, not even Sandy, as it would break the deal I made with father. I had to be far away from the spirits' world. Forget it. As a human, my life was fragile, when I fell into a sickness…" she paused but she didn't need to finish, they knew what it meant. A small smile appeared in the corners of her lips "I just woke up to find myself as a spirit and there was one thought in my head, that I had to find you and Jack. The voice told me you are in danger, when I found you I decided to stay back and keep an eye on you. Our father brought me back on a purpose, he gifted me with new ability, healing. I am the only one who can help this little frost spirit"

"If your intentions are good" Pitch started and looked at the white haired boy with hesitation "Please help him"

Katarina knelt beside Jack and held out a hand. The winter sprite looked at his care-taker, who nodded in a response. He placed his own hand on Katarina's and saw her closing her eyes to concentrate. Seconds later he felt a pulse shooting through his body. It wasn't exactly pleasant, but then it was replaced by some soft impulses coming from where their hands met. She studied him from the inside and after a while she opened her eyes. Her hand started glowing and slowly the light made its way through Jack's arm towards his heart where it disappeared. He felt harmony not only in his body but also in his soul, it was something he had never felt before, magical feeling. It was almost like the one he felt while being half-dead. If only it could last so long.

"Don't worry my dear boy, it is to protect you" she said smiling warmly at him.

"How are you feeling?" Pitch asked with a little hint of concern which he usually hid.

"better, I think" he replied very slowly and brought his hand to his chest, he remembered how aching his poor lungs were. He was so relaxed now, actually he didn't remember the last time he felt so good "Yeah, very much better. I can feel it"

"You can trust me" She said softly and rose back to her feet "Now, when was the last time you took young Jack on a little trip?"

"A trip?" Pitch asked with his eyebrow raised.

"Little brother, don't you know how the seasonal spirits are? They need to spend time in the environment that works with their powers" she replied and circled around the boogeyman, her bare feet barely touching the ground, as if she was floating. A smile crept onto Pitch's face 'she's so cheerful and dreamy, as always' he thought.

"The climate in here serves him good" he stated.

"Oh no no no" she groaned and rested her chin on her brother's shoulder while he remained perfectly still "It is not only about climate. Jack needs to unleash his powers. So, how about a little trip?"

"Yes!" Jack exclaimed.

"No" Pitch replied at the same moment and looked at the frost sprite whose face was lit up with a childish smile, eyes full of excitement "Jack… I am not sure about this…"

"Pleaseeeee?" Jack pleaded making his 'puppy dog eyes', who could have resisted this look? Well, definitely not the Nightmare King who folded his arms and gave a sigh of defeat.

"Fine"

"Perfect" Katarina chirped and swirled to Jack putting her hands on his shoulders then she lowered her head and whispered to the young spirit's ear "Go get ready, we are going to have fun and I am sure The Bogeyman needs to be reminded what is a snow battle"

Pitch couldn't hear what she had whispered to Jack, but he could see a huge smile that spread on his face after that. Pitch only rolled his eyes while thinking what was on this woman's mind, however after ages of knowing her, he could tell it was something crazy and would not end well for him. He shook his head smiling at the memories in his head and his eyes followed Jack as he run back inside to prepare for the trip. It all seemed just too good to be true, he had suffered so much and had lived in the darkness for so long that he lost hope of getting out of his shadows haunting his body and mind. There was no reason for Man in Moon to give him another chance. Jack was already his second chance, now she came, he wanted to believe that it all was going to be alright, that he was going to be happy. But to tell the truth, he was afraid that if he believed, it would fall again and then, he would be sung in the shadows forever. But maybe he should have believed. Man in Moon was giving him a hand and all he had to do was accept it. His sister and Jack were the gifts he would have never wished for. Family is the greatest power.

Sandy didn't even bother how much time it had already passed. He had been wandering though the north pole with the thoughts whirling in his head, it gave him a really bad headache. He was tired of all this mess, not only inside his mind but outside of it. Toothiana still in coma, Jack cursed, his brother was evil, his friends, well, now were his 'former' friends. Everything around him was falling apart and he had no one to support him. He buried his face in his hands feeling completely helpless and miserable. Then, he was distracted from his sadness by a sound. A laughter? It was something uncommon on the North Pole. He dropped his hands so he could take a look around. There were only infinitive white snowdrifts, he must have been hallucinating. Sandman sighed and rubbed his eyes from the tiredness. But then again, the same sound echoed in his ears. Either he was becoming insane or there really was someone laughing at the North Pole. He stood up from his golden cloud and floated through the fresh and cold winter air to find the source of the noise.

From the distance he could see three people and as he flew closer he could recognize one of them must have been woman, she had fiery hair that strongly contrasted with the pure white snow. Then there was a boy, whitehaired… just like Jack. It looked like they were having fun with a snowball battle. Aside there was standing a tall man with dark hair and clothing, too familiar for Sandy. He decided to come as close as he could without being noticed. As he approached the people he almost gasped, his eyes widened. Indeed, There was Jack and Pitch. What were they doing at the North Pole? His attention was caught by the fiery-haired woman and he began wondering who she was and why was she playing with the boy. He couldn't see her face clearly so he just watched the scene and listened.

"Tenth!" Jack exclaimed and smirked "I hit you ten times, which means that I win! Loser"

"Jack, be more polite" Pitch lectured the boy, standing nearby with his arms folded and face as always gloomy. He was definitely not getting involved in the battle.

"Oh come on, where is the fun in you?" The woman laughed, her voice was so familiar to Sandy. She picked up some snow and formed a ball which she launched at Pitch. Not even bothering to look at it, the boogeyman dodged it, his expression hasn't changed even a bit. Sandy chuckled 'typical Pitch' he thought.

"Fine, forget it" She groaned and turned to Jack "Ok, you won, what do you choose for your prize?"

"You promised to show me your power" Jack replied, clearly excited.

"Well, long long time ago people were living in the darkness, in the fear, so they were given a gift" she said and raised her hand, then above it appeared a small flame "They were given something that could light up their gloomy reality, to warm them up and make their lives better and not scared anymore" As she continued, the flame danced in the air, she brought her second hand and to Jack's amazement, the fire slowly formed into some pictures of what she was talking "Since then the gift has become a part of the people's life they couldn't live without. It warmed them, gave comfort, but also was their great companion at the night time of story-telling. They could use it to form some shapes from their hands and play with it. It was a gift from Man in Moon, my powers. I, his daughter born on the light side was there to bring the good to people, along with my brother, Sandy. I was to guardian of peoples' hearts, I made them warm, made them see the light of hope and after the time, I also became the guardian of storytelling, as the people found in the fire the greatest companion to listen to their stories" She finished and the pictures formed of fire faded into the air. She dropped her hands to her sides. Sandy was breathless. His sisters, Katarina, she was here. Alive.

"That was totally awesome!" Jack said "Can you teach me that?"

"What exactly?"

"The pictures, you did it by your fire, do you think I can do the same with my powers?"

"Of course my boy" Katarina smiled widely "You can form everything you want by your powers. It is a hard technique though, it takes patience and a lot of practice. Especially when it comes to creating real being"

"You can do this?" Jack asked in awe.

"I am sure you can too" She chuckled and ruffled his hair "Back in the golden age, I used to create fire golems. It takes much power and time, but it was quite helpful against the army of fearlings and dream pirates…"

"I think it's enough, Katarina" Pitch interrupted.

"And you know what, Pitch was actually a master at this technique. I mean, he was the guardian of bravery, as you know, he was giving people nightmares so they could get to know their fears. But actually, he could made into a form of being any nightmare. He could create an army of nightmares to fight our enemies"

"I didn't know about that" The winter sprite told and looked at Pitch who remained silent.

"My brother modest as always" She laughed "Come on, you know that without you we couldn't have made it. You could give the boy some lessons"

"I do not want any more recalling of the golden age, Katarina, let it go" Pitch said and turned back to them, making few steps further, looking over the horizon of endless whiteness.

"You know, I think he really needs to be reminded on how to laugh" Katarina whispered to Jack and he smiled mischievously.

She picked up the snow, followed by Jack and sharing a look they threw their snowballs at the gloomy Nightmare King and they hit their target just right. He slowly turned to face them, his body tense. For a moment, Sandy thought that Pitch was going to explode from anger, call his nightmares and send them after the two, but it had never happened. Instead the boogeyman's face lit up a bit, and his expression was replaced by a mischievous smirk, just like Jack's. Sandy just couldn't believe it was happening and being in the shock after finding out that his dear sister was alive and was here with Pitch and Jack, he decided to put his countless thoughts aside and enjoy the moment. It was going to be something he would have never even imagined to happen. It was hard to hold back the laughter as he watched the scene.

"You want war? So be it" Pitch smirked and rose a snowball "You don't even imagine what you have started"

So here you go! I wanted to end this chapter in the cheerful and funny atmosphere, I hope you liked it.

(I will check the grammar later on)

(Also, I know some people don't like OCs, don't worry, I have Katarina here because she is necessary for the plot, but I am not going to focus the story on her, not even a bit. So don't worry :))

Wanna see the snow battle with the Boogeyman? I will try to update as soon as I can!

Please review, I enjoy it so much :D