Chapter Text
Tsar Lunar, mostly known as the Man in the Moon, Manny or simply MiM, rarely got visitors on his Observatory on the Moon. Despite the name, it was more akin to a small palace, small enough for one person but big enough to host Ombric once a month.
The palace was build like a crescent moon, with a white Weeping Willow in the center of the courtyard, nearly surrounded by the bronze and chopper palace.
Under the willow was a small round table, made from bronze and a glass plate.
There, without an announcement, sat Ombric, Father Time, Mother Nature’s husband and as of now, Lunar’s whole social circle.
While the short Manny dressed in a yellow Victorian suit and only a red bow tie giving visual variety, Ombric was tall and looked his age with his long white beard and bushy eye brows. His long robes colorful, while also carrying around a bland wooden staff of which the tip was forming a crescent moon.
A staff that would suit Manny, then again it was his. Millennia ago, the ancient men switched presents. Manny gave Ombric Shalazar his staff and Ombric gave Lunar the golden Pocket Watch hanging from his suit.
“Ombric!” Manny cheered when he greeted his friend. “What brings you here?”
Ombric ruffled his beard. “I did not bring want to down our monthly chess match with such a serious matter, so I decided on an extra visit.”
“A serious matter?” Lunar asked as he took the second shadow at the table. “Pitch didn’t return, did he?”
“Where light is, there are shadows. Something you shall know, old friend. But no, Kozmotis is not why I am here.” Ombric told him, “Lunar, when will you tell the Spirit Folk about the Passage? We both know they will learn of it, it is inevitable.”
Lunar nod in agreement. “Soon.”
“Soon, when? Soon can mean a lot for spirits like us.” Ombric pointed out. “Another thing you of all people should know. So be serious, when?”
“When my apprentice awakens their full potential.” Lunar replied.
“You said the same thing four years ago!”
“I didn’t think he would be so secretive!” Lunar defended.
Ombric waved him off. “He is distanced from people. You know why. You should take on a more direct approach with him. Like, actually teaching him and talking to him. Having the Moonlight figure things out on his own isn’t good. It is similarly stupid to make an amnesiac figure out why he was chosen as a guardian.” Ombric huffed. “It is no surprise you choose him as your apprentice, he is an uncommunicative as you.”
Lunar rolled his eyes. “Are you done criticizing my teaching methods?”
“Oh please, I barely scratched the surface.”
It had been four years since Jack Frost joined the Guardians of Childhood. Since then, Toothiana and North decided that they will have team bonding sessions at least once a month. Mainly to integrate their newest member into their group, but partly to avoid that they drift apart and loose their touch with the children of the world.
“… and that is why I hate the Groundhog.” Bunny explained when they shared stories in North’s work shop. “And don’t call me petty!”
“I won’t, I won’t!” Jack promised, balancing on the top of his staff as some elves tried to put shoes on him, “This isn’t even in the top five petty reasons to hate someone I’ve ever heard.” An elf slipped as they tried to jump all the way up his staff.
“What could top that?” Bunny asked. Partly because he never considered who Jack was interacting with outside their group.
Jack thought for a bit before answering. “Mm, Seasonal Fall Meeting, 2008. The herald of Spring and head of Fall wore the same dress, but in different colors and they still are pissy at each other for ‘stealing their thunder’ whenever they meet. Their arguing is like half the reasons why these meetings aren’t as boring as they should be.”
“Wait, what is the difference between a head of season and seasonal herald?” Toothiana chimed in. “Isn’t that the same?” She zoomed around Jack.
“No. Heralds handle the seasons while Heads rule the seasonal spirit groups. And make sure the herald does their job, but if they won’t do it to begin with, they won’t be heralds, so that aspect’s irrelevant.” Jack explained. “Like, I’m the Winter Herald, but not the Head of the Winter Season.”
“Wait, that means you aren’t the only Winter Spirit?” Toothiana asked surprised.
Jack rolled his eyes. “You really thought I am the only?”
“We only ever heard about you, mate.” Bunny pointed out. “Or saw only you handling winter.”
“To be fair, I am the only one who handles winter, the others just chill around at the-”
Then someone smacked repeatedly against a window of North’s workshop, interrupting Jack. Toothiana flew to the window. “My fairies!” She opened the window and was pushed away by the arctic winds. The fairies flew in and North closed the window. Tooth flew to her fairies, “Why are you here?”
The fae zoomed around their queen and chirped something, Toothiana told them shocked, “Wait, what? Repeat, but slower.”
Baby Tooth screeched her sisters to shut up before telling Tooth. She translated, “Pitch Black is back! And he is fighting a mysterious spirit?” Baby Tooth chirped. “And is loosing?”
The other Guardian looked at each other, each glance silently asking, ‘Should we check in on this?’
Jack spoke, “Pitch is the reason this group exists. We should at least check up on this.” He added, “And I kinda want to know who is fighting him.”
“And maybe interfere?” Bunny asked. Jack just shrugged.
Tooth decided, “We interfere depending who fights Pitch and depending on their motivation?”
“This sounds more like a question.” Jack pointed out. “Tooth, can you ask them where he is?”
“I get the sleigh!” North said loudly.
But Jack pointed out, “We don’t have the time, Bunny’s tunnels are faster.” Bunny nod, happy that not only someone appreciated his tunnels, it means they don’t ride the sleigh.
“The girls say… he is near Jack’s lake, in Burgess.” she told them. “Bunny, would you please?”
Bunny nod and opened a tunnel. Tooth and her fae were the first to fly in, followed by Jack.
North yelled to the Yeti, “Phil! You make sure this place continues to run until I return!” The Yeti in question answered something.
Then Bunny gestured to the tunnel, a silent ‘get going’. North hesitated to jump in, but Sandy pushed him in. Bunny was the last though. The tunnel closed, leaving a small flower on the wooden floor to the elves’ confusion.
The tunnel opened up right by the lake. As they were out of it, the fae zoomed around, looking for where the King of Nightmares is. Then they heard yelling, to which the fairies instantly rushed to, followed by their queen, Jack and Sandy.
“Hey, we cannot fly!” North shouted, lightly offended he is left in the dust.
Bunny just shrugged and ran, chasing after them.
Toothiana and her group followed the fairies into a small forest near the lake, a part of a park. There they saw Pitch fighting against a massive spirit in an armor like a knight.
Pitch at first looked normal. But with each second, they noticed he looked thin and disheveled, his robe ripped in some parts and some strands of his hair standing up.
His opponent on the other hand…
“Are we sure this is a spirit and not just a possessed armor?” Bunny whispered, crouching behind a bush.
Jack shook his head. “You wish. This is Mars.”
“Who?”
He rolled his eyes. “One of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the rider of war.” Jack answered as if Bunny should know who this is.
“But you called him Mars.” Tooth pointed out.
“Because Mars is his name, War is his title… and the name of his horse.” Jack explained, “Did you really think his name is War?” He chuckled, “Let me guess, you think the Rider of Famine is simply called Famine themselves?”
“We never interact with the Apocalyptic Riders.” North admitted.
Jack rolled his eyes. “Sure… Now, should we interfere?”
“I say we let Mars finish him off.” Bunny said.
Pitch was on the ground and Mars tried to strike with his broadsword, but Pitch rolled aside.
Jack hummed, “Considering how off Mars’ fighting is, that might as well not happen.”
“What do you mean?” Bunny asked, “His fighting is off?”
“Look at how he holds his sword and swings it. Mars is known for precise, fast hits, but right now, he misses and when he just holds his sword, he lightly circles his hand, as if he is dizzy? And look at his feet. No rhythm when walking. He moves so sluggish!”
“You think he fights Pitch drunk?” North asked, remembering some Christmas parties he held over the centuries, inviting all kinds of spirits, many of which ended up drunk on special alcohols.
“The Riders are banned from getting drunk.” Jack informed him. “Hm, I wonder where his steed is? They never stay away from their riders.”
“How do you-” Tooth was interrupted, when Sandy jumped into the fight. He conjured his whip and hit Mars’ sword, slapping it out of his grip.
“And Mars’ grip is weak.” Jack added. “Weird…”
Sandy’s whip then slung around Pitch’s midsection, allowing Sandy to pull Pitch away from Mars. Said spirit then stomped slowly to them.
“Looks like we interfere.” Bunny said, ears low. But his boomerang ready.
“Don’t tell me you are afraid of the Riders?” Jack asked, half mocking with a smirk.
“As if you aren’t.” Bunny said. “Everyone is.”
Jack rolled his eyes, “Sure…” He then pushed some of his magic into his staff, only for North to interrupt him.
“You stay out of it, Mars is dangerous.” North said sternly, “You are too inexperienced.”
“I’m three centuries-”
“In terms of fighting experience. Not age.” North clarified. But Jack just ignored him and shot into the air, before blasting Mars with ice, freezing him in place. “Hm. Then again, you blasted Pitch four years ago.” Said spirit just huffed, hearing the insult as he stood up, still shaking.
The Guardians then surrounded Mars, weaponry aimed at him. Jack demanded to know, “Mars, why did you attack Pitch Black?”
Mars answered sluggishly, “Who cares to know? Unless you know where the Moonlight is, seasonal.”
“The what now?” Jack wondered, slightly lowering his staff in his confusion.
Mars then broke the ice, freeing himself. The guardians heard the stomping of hooves as a red horse appeared, running out of the trees. It nearly ran over Pitch who just in time jumped away from the steed. Mars jumped onto it and left.
“And there’s War…” Jack mused. “What now?”
Pitch fainted, prompting North to say, “We bring Pitch to the Workshop. When he wakes up, questioning. Mars searching the Moonlight is…”
“Weird?” Bunny offered.
“And worrisome.” North clarified. Jack sighed to which North asked, “What is bothering you?”
“Mars can force the truth out of people with his magic. I don’t understand why he didn’t just use it on Pitch.” Then Jack asked again, “What is the Moonlight, anyway?”
But they ignored his questions as Bunny opened a tunnel and North picked up Pitch. They jumped though the tunnel, back to the North Pole.
As they returned, Toothiana was stressing, “We need to ask why Mars was attacking Pitch! The Apocalyptic Riders never listen to Lunar! They have no reason to fight his enemies.”
“Unless Pitch pissed them off.” Bunny pointed out. “Considering it is Pitch, not exactly unlikely.” He huffed, “Do we need to help Pitch? I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Jack agreed, “Bunny’s right, Pitch’s our enemy! He is literally the reason this group exists!”
Sandy then sighed something, to which Bunny answered angered, “I know he is your brother, but can you really forgive him? He caused the End Times!”
Sandy shook his head.
“See? Even you have to agree this is unforgivable.” Bunny answered.
Pitch’s head hurt as if a Nightmare had flown into him when he woke up. Looking around, Pitch found himself in a room on a bed. The walls and flooring reminded him of his peak into North’s work shop when he baited him in 2012. His eyes widen when he glanced at a seat, Jack Frost sitting here.
“You’re awake, good. The others and I have a few questions about your fight with Mars.” Jack told him. He stood up and opened the door. “You first, Pitch.”
Pitch however said, “You call the Apocalyptic Riders by their names?”
“Yeah, now get going.” Jack replied sharply, using his Staff to force Pitch to move.
Pitch stood up and walked out of the room, Jack following behind him. He tried to move regal, but the pain wherever Mars hit made doing so rather difficult. As they walked though a corridor, Pitch asked, “Any regrets that you rejected my offer?”
“No, why should I?”
“North wasn’t taking you serious when you faced Mars, for once. I know your full power.” Pitch pointed out. “Something about lacking battle experience.”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Sure, you do. Yet you still underestimate me.” He then added in North’s defense, “He just doesn’t know what I did in the three centuries before joining them.”
“Sure.” Pitch mocked right back. “Sounds like you are looking for excuses.”
They then arrived in the main room, hosting the globe. North came to the point, “Pitch Black! Tell us, why was Mars attacking you?”
Pitch sighed, “He thought I would know where the Moonlight is. As if I would believe in it.”
Jack asked, “What even is the Moonlight?”
“A myth under myths.” Pitch sneered, “Lunar’s rumored apprentice. If they were real, I am certain they would have showed themself by now and fought me on his behalf. Not to mention, for what would he even need an apprentice for? He is immortal like any other spirit.”
“For company?” Jack joked, “Must be boring on the moon.” Pitch smirked at the joke on his enemies cost.
“I can’t think of anyone who thinks it is real.” Bunny added. “I suppose the only ones who know for sure if it exists are Mythra and Manny himself.”
“Hm, Mars seemed convinced.” Toothiana added. Her feathers ruffled. “I-I think we should find him, Mars, I mean. It can’t be good if a rider goes around and attacks spirits.”
“If Mars continues, he probably goes after spirits who he thinks know about the Moonlight.” Jack guessed. “Meaning anyone with a strong connection to MiM. So, you, guys.”
“You technically now as well, Jack.” North reminded him.
Toothiana added, “Mother Nature and Father Time also have strong connections to Manny!”
Bunny shuddered, “So does Death…”
“Which one?” Jack asked, eye brow raised. “The Personification of Death and Leader of the Grim Reapers or the Apocalyptic Rider of Death?”
“They are separate spirits?” North asked surprised.
Pitch rolled his eyes. “You really need to interact with more spirits outside your group. And Jack, to answer your question, it would be the Head of the Reapers. The Riders notoriously ignore Lunar. They have no insentive to care if they exist. They probably just roll with whatever the common consensus on this matter is.”
“Hm, you seem to know how the Riders tick.” Jack mused. “What now, North?”
“No idea, need to think.” North replied. “In all our time we never had to deal with the Apocalyptic Riders.”
While the other Guardians discussed their next steps in regards of Mars, Pitch watched Jack flying outside the shop, guiding the winds, controlling winter. After a while, Jack flew back in to check if the others made a decision, but Pitch distracted him by talking.
“I have to say, your control over your magic is impressive.” Pitch praised him before adding, “I wonder how they would have matured if you would have joined me.”
“In what way could you help with elemental magic?” Jack pointed out.
“As Mother Nature is my daughter, I know a thing or two about elemental magic.” Pitch told him. “After all, she had to get her talent from somewhere.”
“Oh, this is why she is such a short tempered crone?” Jack mocked.
“What did you say about my Emily?” Pitch asked furiously, conjuring his scythe on reflex.
Jack shrugged, “Said what I said, Pitch.”
Pitch rolled his eyes, “Of course someone like you would talk badly of their superiors. I’m honestly surprised you aren’t trash talking North.”
“North may be the leader, but our group isn’t that hierarchical.” Jack argued.
“Yet he disregarded your fighting ability, as if you were some low ranking newbie.” Pitch pointed out. “He probably disregards your ideas about the Horsemen as well.”
Before their arguing could continue, Toothiana came in and said, “We decided we will pay the other Horsemen of the Apocalypse a visit. And Pitch, you will come with us.”
Pitch, seemingly unbothered that he has to tag along, just asked, “What makes you think the others aren’t conspiring with Mars?”
Toothiana shrugged, “We will see. Do you have a better idea where to start?”
“So your idea is to go to a potential trap?” Pitch asked offended at their stupidity, crossing his arms. “To think Lunar relies on you...”
Jack then said, “Wait, I need to pay the Ice Court a visit. Anastasia will want to know that I’ll be too busy to handle winter for a bit. I have a hunch this mission will be a long one.”
“What is the Ice Court?” North asked as the others came in, “And who is Anastasia?”
“Anastasia is the Queen of Winter and the Ice Court is her domain, the home of the Winter Spirits. Aside from me, I don’t spend much time there.” Jack explained. “Anastasia and I need to appoint a few substitutes for while I am unavailable.”
North nod, “Detour it is. Where is the Ice Court?”
“Northern Greenland.” Jack said.
“I get a globe!” North stated, but Sandy interrupted him with his signs.
Bunny translated, “Sandy asks if we could use the sleigh, so that Tooth and him can conduct their tasks on the way. You know, to avoid that kids stop believing. You know how last time was going.” He stared at Pitch angrily.
“Oh. Good point. Yes, we can.” North said. Then he realized something. “Not North or South Pole?” North asked Jack surprised, “Why Greenland?”
“Oh, before Anastasia became Queen, it was in Siberia. The South Pole is too intense for even Winter Spirits to handle.” Jack told them. “And the North Pole? North Pole is taken for all Anastasia cares.”
“Enough space! I’m a good neighbor! No problems with neighbors!” North protested.
“But Anastasia has issues with neighbors.” Jack said, “North, have you ever noted that Winter’s never attend your parties?”
North was silent for a bit, “Nyet. But now that you mention it.”
“Yeah, Winter’s aren’t exactly social and Anastasia is a good example for that.”
“But you-”
“I am the exception to the rule.” Jack interrupted him. “Now let’s get going.”