ROTG: A Frozen Point in Time

Chapter 8

POV: Pitch Black 

The plan is running better than I could ever have imagined. Berk turned out to be a lot easier than I predicted, all it took was some, well, possession (for lack of a better word) of the Chief and the strategic placement of those idiotic Stabbington Brothers. Thank the Gods for old time politics where no one questions the chiefs.

I creep silently out of the shadows of the next small village, having lost interest with Jack's soon after he broke down. I forgot how good it felt to be so full of pure fear..... these people with all their superstitions and lore... it gives me a charge I haven't felt in a long time. 

"Hello Shadow Master." 

"Leave." I spit harshly in Time's direction. "I have no time for your silly riddles."

"That's funny, you sure seemed to listen to what I had to say before now....or several years from now I suppose." He leans on his scythe casually. "Maybe I should send you back."

I narrow my eyes at him. "You and I both know that isn't a valid threat. You have almost no power here; even now your image seems to just..." I pull up his cloak and put my hand on his arm, smirking when my hand starts to go through, "Fade away."

He pulls his arm away angrily and slides the deep blue sleeve back down. "I have a request." I scoff and turn away, ready to dismiss him with a wave of my hand. "No wait-- it's not from me." I pause, my hesitation enough motive for him to continue. "Avalon wishes you to destroy the Macintosh clan."

"Do you think me a fool?" I ask, my gold eyes flashing dangerously. Father Time quickly backs up, and runs a hand through his auburn hair; a nervous tick, how stupid. 

"Trust me--"

"Trust you?" My voice, so full of disdain, portrays the hatred my calm features mask. "I will trust you for as long as the time it would take me to kill you."

"I would never ask a favor of you, Nightmare King, I am not stupid!" He retorts with equal anger. "The favor your daughter requested me to ask you is something I could easily arrange myself."  He takes in a deep breath and composes himself. "She wishes you to destroy the Macintosh clan."

"If it is something you can easily accomplish, why do you not do so?" I ask with a sneer. Time gives me a haughty look.

"We both know who currently is in possession of more power, and besides," He grimaces, "Your little jump back here caused more problems than I anticipated. I have had to resort to more desperate measures."

"You recruited help?" At his frown I chuckle evilly. "I had no idea the effect would be this chaotic...oh how I wish I was there to see the horror on your face." 

"Just finish whatever you went back to do," Father Time states through clenched teeth, "And pray the Guardians reach you before I do." He is gone before his threat finishes echoing in the open air. I breathe in the frigid air until my anger is swallowed up with the rest of my rage; hiding until I will need it as fuel once more. Thankfully, the favor Avalon has asked of me is one that I will most certainly enjoy. 

I quickly vanish back into the security of the shadows and step out of a new forest in Scotland. I can already hear the noise of a festival from the Macintosh clan, and it takes all of my willpower to not storm in right then and shut them up for good. No, it is better to wait and frighten them properly first. 

I slip unseen into the clearing where the majority of the Scots are located, their attention fixated on a roaring fire that is cooking enough meat to sustain a whole army; which I suppose is exactly what they are. "Who are ya?" A young boy, barely up to my knees in an innocent voice. How despicable.