[✅] The New Guardian

Chapter 16

{Jack's P.O.V}

"This is the fifth time it's happened, North," I told him, running my fingers through my hair.

"I know, but we can't do anything about it," He said softly, almost as if he didn't want me to hear what he had said. Cupid had already left to attend to her other duties around the world. I felt that we wouldn't be seeing her for quite a while.

"You can't do anything? You can't? What about the last time we defeated Pitch?" I ask, partially slamming my staff on the floor.

"That was you, Jack, when you were chosen as the new guardian. Ivy is now the new guardian, and she needs to be the one to conquer this herself. But you are the one who will help her too. Manny sent me a sign last night. I have a feeling this whole thing isn't just so simple after all. It isn't just Ivy with darkness, but Manny told me that you, Jack, are searching for something too, even though you might not know what it is," North explained.

"Wait, wait, wait. This is really crazy and I'm certain I know if I'm looking for something myself. And a sign, you say? Well, what was it?" I demanded.

"Oh, a snowflake appeared in the crystal that Manny used to pick the guardians, and beside it was a lightning bolt. Both interconnected by a glowing line, inseparable, meant to be together," North replied, raising his hands theatrically.

"This is ridiculous," I turned away, tugging at the hood of my jacket uncomfortably."How do I know if she even loves me, North?"

"Time will tell, Jack. Time will tell. But for now, we have to cure Ivy. Somehow.." North said.

I didn't expect what happened next.

Malicious cackles, dark sand filling the workshop, yellow piercing eyes appearing on top of the globe. I rushed out with North, and the other guardians were already gathered. Other than Sandy.

"Sandy's with Ivy," Tooth mouthed to me, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"What do you want, Pitch?" I said, mustering my voice to speak. It was funny, I thought, how we kept asking him the same question. Oh, well.

"Oh, I suppose you remember what I said, Jack," Pitch grinned. I winced. I knew exactly what he had said.

"It would never be so easy to just take Ivy away. And now, you know why." Another grin.

"Shut up, Pitch! Why did you have to do that? She didn't deserve it! She did nothing to you! She was innocent! She's turning evil! What is your sick intention in that?" I rambled.

"She was innocent, Jack. I always make use of the innocent," Pitch replied. Then, before any of us could react, Pitch spread a dark wave of sand across the room and it hit me hard, as well as the others, sending us into the wall. I groaned. Thankfully, I hadn't hit my head, so I peered around. North, Bunny and Tooth, all out cold. What happened? Pitch must have gotten stronger. Too strong.

Speaking of Pitch, I saw that he was heading towards the room where Ivy was. I struggled to get up and gripped my staff tighter, shooting blows of ice at Pitch carelessly, so he ended up dodging every blast. My eyes widened with horror and my heart felt like it died momentarily as he entered the room. I rushed after him, half-flying, half-running.

I threw open the door and the first thing I caught sight of was Sandy sitting on the floor, leaning against a wall, his little body stained with blackness."No, no, no! What did he do to you?" I whispered frantically to Sandy. Sandy shook his head, wrinkles all over his face from frowning in pain and nodded towards the bed. I whipped around and saw Pitch's black figure looming over Ivy in the bed. Ivy seemed to stir slightly. I gasped.