Soooo my RotG secret santa iiiiiiiiiis:
I hope you had a great Christmas (or other important holiday) and a great new year. Hope you like your little gift :).
The first guardian to notice was Bunny. Probably because he spent more time with the young human child than the others. Even beating Jack in such visits. Said winter spirit being the second to notice. Despite anything which crossed her path from day to day at night, Sophie Bennett never had nightmares. Bunny assumed it was due to her lack of fear, for a two year old the little girl seemed to take everything in her stride. Anything which transpired through her day made a dent in the little girl's spirit. Which is what Bunnymund assumed was the answer to the lack of night terrors. It was when Sandy pointed out that the younger Bennett didn't receive dreams one night that an investigation was called for. It was the following night the Guardians found themselves huddled just behind the young girl's wardrobe door, peeking out.
"Now we sit and wait!" North boomed but soon lowered his voice as Tooth gave him a stern look and made 'shhing' noises. Jack simply chuckled whilst Bunny rolled his eyes and opened his mouth about to shoot a retort at the jolly man but it was cut off as the sound of horses hooves soon filled the room. The guardians once again peeked around the door before freezing up. There hovering over Sophie as she slept stood one of Pitch's night mare horses. All five guardians held their breath as the equine lowered its head. Gripping their weapons, the small group edged forward. Each ready to spring and give the nightmare a butt kicking. Just before reaching the end of Sophie's bed a loud squeal made the group paused.
What transpired next each Guardian questioned. Not only did Sophie leap up out of bed, forcing the nightmare in turn to leap backwards, startled she proceeded to jump on the creature's back. With another terrified squeal, the nightmare bolted out off the room.
"Well that was unexpected!" Jack was the first to cut into the stunned silence.
"I'll say, can someone explain to me what just happened?" Tooth added in agreement, glancing to the others.
A few symbols flashed above Sandy's head and all five frowned before their eyes widened.
With cries of 'crikey' from Bunny, 'lets go!' from North and Tooth letting out a war cry the group charged in the direction both nightmare and child had gone. A small trail of black sand led the group along the landing to the top of the stairs. With cautious steps the Guardians descended to the ground floor, following more sand through a hall way before reaching a door left ajar at the end. A moment's hesitation the group exchanged glances before charging forward into what appeared to be the Bennett family kitchen.
Time seemed to slow down as the scene before all five guardians registered. There, with what appeared to be a dark chocolate cookie hanging out of his mouth stood none other than Pitch. The sound of hooves echoed throughout the otherwise silent kitchen to reveal Sophie on the nightmare's back, a jar of coffee in her hands. Her eyes soon widened at the sight of the Guardians averting their stare from her to Pitch before a huge smile formed.
"BUNNY!" She cried, dropping the coffee jar and opening her arms out for a hug.
Pandemonium followed time seemed to return to normal, as if the girl's cry had broken a spell. With a startled snort the nightmare bucked Sophie off of its back before bolting back into the nearest shadow and disappearing. With a gasp, Bunny shot forward, catching the young child in his arms before she hit the floor. Before any of the Guardians could make a further move Pitch followed suit, casting glares back at the group before vanishing. Half the cookie he'd been eating, the only evidence he'd been there lay broken on the floor.
"Did anyone else know that Pitch liked cookies?" Once again Jack was the first to break the silence a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Strewth, that....Wha' jus' happened?" Bunny was short to follow before giving Jack a look of disproval "Don't even think about it mate."
The winter spirit just grinned innocently back.
The Pooka glanced down at Sophie who had been silent throughout the entire ordeal.
"Shadow was lonely!" the young girl exclaimed before yawning and snuggling closer the Bunny not even noticing the flecks of dream sand shot in her direction from Sandy.
"Shadow?" North muttered before bursting out into laughter "Pitch will never live this laying on ground."
"I think you mean lying down but yeah. I need to invest in a camera." Jack started chuckling to.
Tooth glanced at Sandy with a disbelieving look but soon joined in laughing to when she noticed the Sand Man letting out silent chuckles.
"You know" Tooth piped up in between her giggles "with all this noise I'm surprised she hasn't woken up her parent."
For what felt like the hundredth time that night all guardians froze, listening for the sound of movement upstairs. When all that greeted them, each member released a sigh of relief. Till a loud voice shouted out.
