AN: Is anyone even reading this?

OOOOO

The wind was like a gentle hug as it wrapped around her before continuing on. It brought her a little reprieve from the scorching sun high above, but it wasn't enough to stop her from sweating. She wiped her hand across her brow, rubbing the dampness off onto her trousers. She was supposed to be meeting Him here, and she'd been waiting for almost an hour now, in the punishing sun.

"You thought I wouldn't come." She turned in surprise to find a man standing a few yards away. His hair was snow white, as well as his skin. And his eyes were the darkest black she'd ever seen. He was thin and willowy, with long limbs that all seemed to flow with a grace she was jealous of.

"You did keep me waiting for quite some time. Prince Lunar." She bowed shortly, and the man smiled.

"There was some trouble on the Nightmare Prison Planet. I had to see to that first." She didn't have to ask what the trouble was. She simply scrunched her eyebrows together in question, and Lunar sighed. "They escaped. Every last one. And they've corrupted Kozmotis Pitchiner and made him the Nightmare King." He explained sadly.

"Oh Lunar. Is there anything I can do? I could make a spell, or maybe-"

"No, it's alright. There must be balance in the universe, my dearest of friends. That is why I have you. The Sandman must also have his balance, and now he has Pitch Black."

"Ah yes. Your Guardian, the Sandman. Are you having any luck finding the next Guardian?" She asked with a sly grin. She knew Lunar would only accept the very best to join the Guardians of Childhood. He had asked her several times, but she had always politely declined. She was more of a Guardian of All, and she was far too busy to take the offer.

"Not as of yet, though I have been considering E. Aster. The last of the Pooka's ought to be of value in that field." He pondered. "But, alas, I have not asked you here for such trivial chatter. I know you are busy, but this is important." He explained gravely.

"Then tell me." She suggested.

"I have been told that your life is coming to an end. But you are an immortal, how can this be? You know that I need you alive." Her face fell.

"Who told you that?" He raised an eyebrow, and she knew. Her damn husband and his meddling. No doubt he told Lunar in hopes of delaying the inevitable. "It must happen Lunar. I am needed in another time. In another place. I will die in this body, and awaken in another."

"You intend to bind with a mortal soul?" He asked, sounding appropriately aghast. It was no small matter to bind with a mortal soul. Many immortals tried, with disastrous results.

"Not just any mortal soul. I have seen into the future and I have felt her life. It is remarkable! And she will not see it unless I am able to prompt her. She will shape this world in ways you cannot possibly imagine Lunar, but I must help her along." She explained patiently.

"I cannot condone you interfering in the life of a mortal, especially when you are needed so dearly here and now. You are my counterpart, what will I do without you, my dark moon?" He begged, but he knew it was useless to try and persuade her once she made up her mind. She smiled a small, sad smile at him.

"I have done all I can here and now. I have given this world three wonderful children, who will all do wonderful things without me. And I have given my life to the people here for far longer then they will ever know. My works must continue far into the future. You must trust me, and my decision, my oldest and dearest of friends." He didn't say anything for a very long time, but then he sighed deeply.

"I will miss you dearly." He whispered.

"I will return. You will not know it is me at first, but rest assured that I will be back." She gently placed her hand against his cheek, before bowing at the waist. Lunar bowed as well.

"Until we meet again. Ceridwen."

OOOOO

I open my eyes slowly, not surprised to see that the sun has vanished from the sky and been replaced by the moon. I've been meditating for quite some time, but it all paid off. I finally know who it is that I've been bound to since birth. Ceridwen. She was a Celtic goddess of magic, agriculture, nature, poetry, music, art, science, astrology, and most importantly, she was the dark side of the moon. I'm bonded with the dark side of the moon.

Yes you are.

I blink dumbly a few times, looking around briefly to see if anyone is nearby. But I don't really have to look around to know it's not any person with a body talking.

"Have you always been able to talk to me and have just been refraining?" I question nervously. There's a laugh in my head, one that sounds like bells and beauty.

No. We have been one for all these years. But recent events have put a wedge between the two of us. Enough of a wedge that we have become two different souls, if only for a limited period of time.

"So we will bond again?" I ask, hopeful.

Indeed we will. Once you rid your body of the Fearling powers that you currently posses. I cannot bond with anything holding such evil, and unless you purge the evil soon, I will be forced to leave you. To do so would kill me Maxious, as I have no body to go to.

"So I'm killing you?" If my voice raises an octave in shock, she doesn't mention it.

In a sense. I know you are reluctant to forfeit your power, and I know you believe you will be weak and mortal without it. But I am here. And you are more powerful than you know.

"If I get rid of the Fearling powers, and we bond again, will I even remember you? I spent my life thinking I was perfectly normal, and only after receiving the immortal powers did I discover you."

You will remember this time. But we will not be able to speak as we are now. We will be one.

"So are you like my conscious? Are you my Jimminy Cricket?" I ask out of pure curiosity. She laughs again, and that laugh could cure cancer and save the world, I'm sure of it.

In a way, I suppose I am. I try to keep you out of trouble, and I try to keep you from spiraling down instead of up. It was I who buried the memories of Luke's attacks, in the hope that you would continue on with your life without it affecting you too severely.

"Oh. Well, thank you. How am I supposed to purge the powers exactly?" I bite my lips gently. I have the feeling this is going to hurt. It sure hurt when I was receiving the powers. It felt like sand was pumping through my veins instead of blood. It stung something fierce. "And how will I get home on I'm rid of them?"

Prince Lunar can see us. Once you are yourself again, he will bring the Guardians to you.

I glance up at the moon as she says that. I think it's kind of funny that the Man in the Moon actually has a name! And he's a prince!

You can feel the powers pulsing in your veins. You must focus on the pulsing and will it to stop. When it dies, and you will know it is dead, then you will most likely pass out. The shadows will leave your body as you sleep and when you wake, you will be yourself once more.

That pain she was talking about. Yeah, it sucks. And it is definitely enough to make me pass out. I promptly feel the rush of light pass through me once the darkness is gone, and then flop back onto the sand, consciousness fading quickly. But I feel peaceful even as darkness swims in my vision.

OOOOO

I immediately know where I am when I opened my eyes. For one thing, there's a yeti standing over me. For another, the scent of cookies permeates pretty much every molecule of air in the room. And lastly, I can hear the jingling of Elf bells even before I open my eyes. The North Pole. I'm back, safe and sound, just like Ceridwen said I would be. And the yeti is currently making all kinds of noise, no doubt drawing all kinds of people to us. Sure enough, the door bursts open and through it pours seven people.

North, Bunny, Sandy, Tooth, and Jack I expect. But a human form Pitch and a Nightmare form Jash I do not. They must notice my curious and slightly disturbed looks, because Jack blushes and Pitch looks uncomfortable.

"Well...apparently I missed some things." I murmur just before I'm smothered by Tooth and Jack. Sandy tries to as well, but he doesn't really weigh anything so... "Love you guys too but I can't breath!" I choke out dramatically and Jack back away. Tooth remains latched on for another few moments before Sandy grabs her wing and yanks her away. "Thanks Sandy. So uh...what happened here?" I ask, gesturing to Pitch and Jash.

"Uh...it's complicated?" Jash stated, but I give him my very best annoyed look.

"After you broke me, the nightmares had to find a new King, just for the meantime, before you took the role of Queen. They chose Jash because he was close to you. And now that you've gotten rid of the Fearling Powers, he has complete reign over Nightmares and Fearlings." Pitch explained quickly.

"Oh god...I'm sorry Jash, I never thought they would go after someone just because I knew them!" I exclaim, but Jash doesn't look bothered. In fact, he seems a little...glad.

"Max, I really don't mind! I was scared at first, but Sandy came to me and explained everything, and he taught me how to control the Nightmares and the Fearlings. And he taught me about the balance of fear and dreams and hope and everything, so I don't get carried away. It's actually a really important job, and I kinda like it." Jash says proudly.

"Well...then I guess I'm glad for you." He smiles really big and nods.

"And I'm happy for you! You're back to normal, and you have all these cool immortal friends, and your parents are here-"

"What?" I deadpan, looking from immortal to immortal. "My parents? No, I can't see them. Not after what I did to Luke. Not when they know what a monster I became."

"They know it wasn't really you doing that." Tooth starts, but I shake my head.

"But it was me! The Fearling powers did not overcome me, they just canceled out my fears and stripped me of my inhibitions. It let me lash out against Luke for what he did to me without remorse, but it was still me who did it." They share uncomfortable glances before Jack shrugs.

"He deserved it." We all gape at him, but he hardly seems bothered. "Even your mom and dad think that. They locked him up in a mental ward when they found out. It was that or prison, and they didn't want to just cart him off to jail. People like him don't last long in prison." Jack continued, as casually as ever.

"Taking a break from the new Nightmare King and life for the Butler family, I have to ask. Why did you get rid of the Fearling powers?" Pitch butted in. I blush for some reason and bite my lip for a moment.

"I found out who my Immortal spirit is. And she can't exist in the presence of dark spirits. If I kept the powers, I would lose her, so I got rid of them. Hurt like a mother freaking female dog. But it was worth it." I admit.

"But who is your Immortal spirit?" North asks curiously.

"Ceridwen. She's a Celtic goddess and the dark side of the Moon." I say with a proud smile. "She bonded with me so she could look after me and keep me on a good path I guess. She was the one who suppressed Luke's attacks. And she seems to think I'm going to be important in the future, but I'm still doubting that." I mutter the last part, but I can tell a few of them notice from the scowls.

"Never doubt that you are special Max. We all can see that you are more than a simple mortal." Bunny comments.

"I wonder what you're going to be! Someday, I mean." Tooth says excitedly.

"Maybe she'll be the next Guardian!" Jack supposes.

"Or the mother of some crazy powerful and influential spirit." Tooth adds gleefully.

"Guys, chill!" I command. "Look, can I see my parents. I have a lot I need to talk to them about." They all look sympathetic at that, and North nods.

"I'll bring them." He says firmly and leaves to get them.

"So, before they get here, North has talked to them and they agree that you should stay here. In the North Pole." Jack tells me, floating over to sit next to me on the bed. The others clear out slowly until it's just Jack and the yeti remaining.

"My parents actually agreed to let me live with Santa Clause?" I ask doubtfully.

"Yeah. They realize that you can't just go back to be a normal kid after this, though you could if you wanted to. You can still go to school and have your friends and everything. But it's just...after everything you've told me about your life, I thought maybe you wouldn't mind living here. And you're bound to be a little uneasy right now, after all the stuff you've been through in the last couple of days."

"Yeah. Five days ago I was sitting in a Band Rehearsal playing opera music." I remind him. He smiles and then frowns.

"If you could go back, would you change what happened?" He asks, sounding bizarrely childlike.

"I don't know, honestly. So much bad stuff has happened, but so much good stuff has as well. I love everything I've learned and everything I've seen, even the bad stuff. It's daunting, but it's beautiful." His frown returns to a smile.

"Do you want to stay in the North Pole?" He asks.

"More than anything." I assure him.

"That's good, because we've already decided that you should." I look up in surprise as my mom and dad come into the room, followed by North.

"Mom! Dad!" If I didn't still feel really weak, I would jump up and hug them both. But they have to come to me, and we have to do those awkward stoop-hugs. But it's still wonderful because they're my parents and I never thought I would see them again! "You really think I should stay here?" I ask, still dubious. They exchange looks and nod.

"We think it's what's best for you. Your siblings...they're down to earth people who don't believe in magic. And you've always been stark opposite of that. You belong here. Like your siblings belong in boring old Arizona." Mom tells me, though she seems sad.

"But...I'll still see you guys right? It's not like I'm not accessible through a snow globe." I ask hopefully.

"North has agreed to give us a good supply. But you're almost an adult Max. and adults, by nature, go out on their own. You won't go out into the world, but you'll still be making your own place away from home." Dad explains.

"It just so happens my own place is the North Pole." I murmur. Mom chuckles and dad smiles.

"In any case, we're glad that you're back Max. When we thought you were lost to Nightmares and darkness...neither of us could stop crying. But you're back, and you're brighter than ever." Mom says with proud smile.

"We do love you Max. We always have, we're just no good at showing it, and you're no good at accepting it." Dad adds with a slight smirk.

"I love you too. I've never been good at showing it either, but I do." I promise them, and they both smile again.

"Well, we're staying until dinner, but then we'll be on our way. And you'll stay here to do whatever it is you'll be doing in the North Pole." Dad tells me.

"Yeah, what is my job title exactly?" I ask North, who shrugs.

"I'm sure Manny will think of something. In meantime, you can keep Jack busy so he stay out from under boot. Is worse than Elves sometimes!" North says, and Jack and I grin at each other. "And I will be tutor, along with Sandy." He adds.

"Ugh! I still have to go to school?!"

"Yes you do young lady." Mom says pointedly.

"What happened to me being an adult? I was just an adult like two seconds ago!" I protest.

"I said you're almost an adult." Dad rolls his eyes. "I think we should let you get some more rest before dinner. You look like you need it." I'm so glad he said something, because I wasn't going to, but I am really tired.

"I'll stay here with you, if that's okay." Jack proposes, and I nod.

"That's fine." I say through a yawn. "I'll see you guys when I wake up." I smile happily at mom and dad, who smile in return.

"Yes you will." Mom kisses my head and dad messes up my hair before they follow North out. This time the Yeti follows leaving just Jack and me.

"I suppose you wanted to have some kind of conversation too?" I ask, already struggling to keep my eyes open.

"Actually I just have one question." He tells me. I give him a little 'hmm' to tell him to go on. "DO you wanna be my girlfriend?" He asks, maybe a little nervously. I smile and lean forward to kiss him lightly just to the side of his lips.

"I thought you'd never ask." I murmur before closing my eyes and snuggling up to him. Though he's cold, I'm surrounded by blankets and it's actually very nice. The perfect middle between hot and cold. And frankly...I could get used to it. In fact, I think I will.

END!

OOOOO

AN: Yes, sadly this is the end. But it's a bittersweet thing. I'm happy it's done and sad it's done, but it's done so yeah. As epilogues go, Max does awesome shit and marries Jack. That's pretty much it. Feel free to leave a comment or question if you liked or disliked! Thank you for reading, and for sticking it out with me to the end! Bye!