Flashlight ~ A Rise Of The Guardians Fanfic

Family Matters

"Pitch." A cold voice said firmly. The king of nightmares turned around. Mother Nature was standing there in all her glory, in the middle of his kitchen doorway.

"Emily." He hummed, matching her tone.

"Emily!" A girl shouted. Adorned in a beautiful dress of orange, red, and yellow, the young spirit hugged her tightly.

"Hello Autumn," she said, her tone and expression softer than before. "How have you been child?"

"I've been alright!" The girl hummed. "Pitch is giving me riding lessons again. Finally." She perked up suddenly. "Will you be staying for dinner? I can go get the dandelions I dried for tea!"

Emily chuckled. "I will be staying for supper." She said softly. "And it's good to hear you're back in the saddle. You go fetch the dandelions, hm? Me and Pitch have something to discuss."

Autumn nodded and ran off.

"The answer is no." Pitch said firmly, returning to his cooking.

"I haven't even asked yet." Emily frowned.

"You stop by every four years to ask one thing, and one thing alone. My answer is no. She will not be attending the ball, regardless of the hosting season." Pitch said firmly, taking a pot of stew off the stove.

"It's her duty as the Queen of Fall to host the ball this year!" Emily snapped. "Please, it's a party. Nothing is going to happen. Besides, thanks to you, we already had to plan it. All she has to do is show up."

"She's not going. What if something happens hm? Can you promise me she'd be okay?" Pitch retorted.

"It's been fifty-six years, Pitch. Half a century." Emily groaned. "When are you going to let it go?!"

"She nearly died!"

"She wouldn't have died and you know it!"

The two glared at each other.

"I'm not letting her go. Especially not with Frost being a Guardian now." Pitch said firmly.

"He hasn't showed up to the ball in decades! And he hasn't even visited once in the eight years he's been a Guardian." She snapped. " I highly doubt he'll show up this time. If it was my choice he wouldn't even be a Guardian!"

Pitch looked away and she sighed.

"Listen. She used to love going to the ball. And her and Jack used to be friends. Good friends." Emily said softly. "She needs to make some choices on her own. You can't protect her from the world forever."

"I can try can't I?" He snapped. She gave him a disappointed look.

"If it makes you feel any better, you can come. Just... please?" Emily asked softly.

Pitch grumbled slightly. "Fine. I suppose if she really wants to she can go."

"Go where?" Autumn asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. A basket of dried dandelions in her arms.

Emily smiled. "How would you like to come back to host the ball this year?" She asked softly.

The girl's eyes lit up. "Fuck yeah!" She shouted, an excited smile on her face.

The two gave her a startled look.

"I mean— yeah! I'd love to go." Autumn said with a sheepish grin.

Emily chuckled. "Yup. You definitely raised her." She hummed. Pitch rolled his eyes.

"I don't curse that much." He muttered, taking the basket of dandelions and putting them into his he yes kettle on the stove.

"You fucking liar!" Emily snorted. "You curse like a sailor!"'

Autumn giggled as she set out a misshapen clay plate and porcelain teacup for Emily. Emily smiled. "Trying pottery again?" The girl nodded.

Emily shook her head with a smile as she helped Pitch set up the food on the small dining table. Just big enough for four people. The three of them had idle conversation while they ate.

After supper Emily gave Autumn a small list of things to do for the ball, so she didn't feel left out of the planning process, before saying goodbye. Leaving Pitch and Autumn once again to their own devices.

~•••~

Alrighty! First real chapter with the new plot! What do y'all think? -IL2R&W