It's been awhile! And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. This chapter was supposed to come much much sooner. I wrote about half of this before writers block hit hard. But I pushed through it and I've done it! I have kept my promise. I have stuck with this story and finished it! This is the last chapter of Rise of the Shadows. I honestly had no idea how I wanted to end it for good, but I'm proud with the way this ending turned out.

I want to thank those that have stuck with me since the beginning. And those that have reviewed and inspired me to keep going.

Anyway. The final chapter! Enjoy! And please let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

Chapter 14: The General

(Previously)

"Seraphina!" Tooth was flying towards them clutching something in her hand. "Seraphina!"

"The fairy? Coming to the rescue?"

Catching the tooth, Pitch sneered. "What's this. A pathetic attempt to save you-" his voice faltered as memories came rushing back and the general within drew upon them.

...

(With the Guardians)

The Guardians had been fighting the remaining Nightmares but once the tooth had been activated, the Nightmares dissipated, moving past the Guardians as if they were nothing, swarming over to the Nightmare King.

Seraphina was released as the sand that was holding her to the tree disappeared as well. She stumbled forwards right into the arms of Tooth.

"You okay?" Amethyst eyes looked her over to check for injuries, other than the gash on her cheek that was quite obvious.

"M'fine." Seraphina wiped at the blood on her cheek halfheartedly before glancing up at the surrounding mass of shadows. Her eyes widening, "Father."

Following her line the vision, Tooth gaped, covering her mouth as she whispered, "Oh no." The shadows had attached themselves to the General attempting to keep him in the dark.

...

(With Pitch)

In the midst of the darkness the General fought against, memories flickered. Long since buried by the Fearlings who were striving to keep their hold on the General strong. All was for naught now as the tooth had released all memories of happiness and joy from his past life back into the General.

Clawing at these happy memories desperately, the General's fingers grasped at the darkness that had suctioned onto him, clutching him. He used his newfound strength to pull at it causing it to stretch before snapping back with unforgiving force sending the general to his knees.

A dark haze moved around him, seemingly pulsing as it spoke. "You didn't think it'd be that simple did you General? You will not be rid of us. We are one with you. You want us to be around. You enjoy the power" The voices hissed at him. "You would be nothing without us."

The man beneath the writhing mass frowned at the venomous tone in the voices.

After centuries of silence the general found his voice against the demons. "You're wrong! You have deceived me. I remember who I was, who I am! It is you, who would be nothing without me."

The darkness surrounding him laughed, tightening its hold on the general while doing so. "Is that really what you believe?" A sneering tone echoed in the voices as the haze wove around him, "Oh, you really are the same fool that opened the door to let us in all those centuries ago. You have not learned from your failures. Through our power you succeeded. We gave you strength! Your precious wife would still be alive if you had only accepted our power earlier."

The General scowled. "You are the reason my wife is dead!"

"Are we?" The darkness crushed down on him once again with their words.

"You have killed so many."

Without hesitating the general spoke against the truth, "I will right my wrongs."

The darkness laughed again slithering up around him. "You really think they will accept you after what you've done to all of them." The voices hissed "You will never be one of them. They hate you for what you are, for the monster that you allowed yourself to become. You can't fight the darkness within you. You are pathetic."

The darkness began to tighten around him in a deadly embrace as the voices turned sickly sweet. "Forget about all of this. Come back to us. We know who you truly are, we know you don't want to give up this power. These pitiful creatures trying to help you, they don't really care, they just want to eliminate you as a threat to them." The shadows seemed gleeful as they felt the Generals hold weaken as he began to go slack in their grip. "We will care for you," they cooed.

...

(Unknown)

The general closed his eyes. Perhaps it was best just to give in. To let himself go, it was so much easier than fighting. As if his thought had been a plea for help, a gentle hand touched his cheek, causing his eyes to snap open.

Before him stood a glowing image of his dear wife Alina.

Pitch's voice filled with renewed hope. "Alina?"

She nodded. "You have lost your way, my love. I cannot let it happen again. Your daughter misses you, she needs you to come back to the light." Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked at him, tenderly brushing her thumb along his cheek.

He leaned into her touch, before shaking his head sadly. "It's too late for me."

"That's what these demons want you to believe." She brushed some of the shadows that had slithered around his neck away, causing them to disappear in a flash of light. "You can come back to the light, it's never to late to change. We all have light and darkness inside of us, you have a choice now to choose which you will act upon. Just because you lost your way once doesn't mean you are lost forever. Second chances are real. This. Well, this my love, is yours."

He looked at her hopefully before she leaned down and kissed him softly. His eyes closed relishing in the kiss. When the presence of her lips on his was gone he opened his eyes, surprised to see that his wife was nowhere to be seen.

...

(With Pitch)

"Give in to us and no harm will befall your daughter." The darkness hissed once again, something had changed within the General, they could sense it. What could have happened in a split second? They had just had him!

Pitch realized that they had no idea what had just happened. There was no way he would turn back to them now. The General had the upper hand, and he wasn't going to lose it. Gripping the sand that enveloped him, he pulled once again with renewed energy and vigor. This time as it stretched instead of snapping back on him, the sand in his clutches shattered.

"No!" The ancient darkness could feel it's life force withering away. "This isn't possible! You were ours to control!"

Pitch smirked as he pulled the heart of the darkness away from himself. "Not anymore. You will no longer have the pleasure of using others as your puppets!" With one final tug he ripped it away, clenching his fists, causing the darkness that had ruined so many lives, to vanish from the world with a flash of light.

...

(With the Guardians)

The Guardians could do nothing but watch as black sand seemed to bubble and hiss with every movement from its captive. There was one last snarl from the darkness before the Guardians had to cover their eyes at the blinding light that suddenly emanated from the man that had been engulfed by shadows. As the light faded, the tall, more human looking figure of Pitch, staggered before he crumpled to the ground.

"Father!" Sera's eyes widened as she pushed past Tooth and rushed to his side, fearing the worst. Once she got to his side she pushed some of her unruly hair back in distress before gently touching his shoulder.

Pitch's closed eyes opened slowly at the touch, looking up at his daughters face. He smiled, a real smile, not malicious or full of cruel intent. Just like he had done centuries ago. "Oh my little butterfly. I missed you so."

Her green eyes rimmed with tears and she absentmindedly wiped them away. "You really are back."

The General smiled and nodded once before his eyes were drawn to the gash on his daughter's cheek. Sadness showed in his eyes as he reached to touch it, remorse in his voice. "I hurt you." He gently brushed his thumb under the wound

Seraphina quickly took his hand and shook her head cutting him off. "No. That wasn't you." She smiled brightly at him. "You're back." Her arms wrapped around him, whispering the words again. "You're back."

Pitch closed his eyes again smiling as he returned the hug, wrapping up his daughter in his embrace. He could have stayed in that moment forever, if he had not felt eyes watching him from all around. Opening his now green eyes, Pitch carefully regained his footing, helping his daughter up after, and turned to face the many eyes looking his way.

The Guardians, as well as Ombric stood around the two of them in a shocked state. Pitch was surprised to see that Jack was the first to step forward. He opened his mouth, his thoughts already trying to figure out how to word how sorry he was. "Jack I-" He stopped as the winter spirit lifted a hand.

"I already know what you want to say." He grinned. "But there's no need. I want to be the first to forgive you. I know you were under the control of those demons, you had no choice Pitch. So I just wanted to say," he turned looking at the rest of the Guardians, smiling again as each one nodded, "on behalf of all of us Guardians. Welcome back." He stepped forward offering his hand to the General.

Pitch was aghast. The first step of acceptance and it was coming from none other than Jack Frost. After all he had put this poor boy through months before, he was willing to forgive him so easily. He looked over at Seraphina who nodded before, looking back down at the beaming teen. Pitch took the teens hand and returned the smile. "Thank you Jack. Thank you all."

North's booming laugh echoed, causing the two to step away from each other in surprise. North then waved his hand to the air. "This calls for celebration!" North threw his arms around Ombric and Bunny, dragging them inside laughing all the way, letting the horrors of the day melt away as if it were a new day completely.

Tooth flashed a smile over at Pitch before she went in as well with Jack.

Next was Sandy, who floated over on a cloud of his golden sand, patting Pitch's shoulder before turning back to follow North and the others.

Seraphina was the last to begin to trickle inside. She extended her hand to Pitch eagerly. "Are you coming father?"

He simply smiled at her. "I will be there in a moment."

She nodded in understanding and headed in with the others. Once alone Pitch looked up at the sky at the shining moon. "I suppose I should thank you as well my old friend. Thank you for this second chance." The moon seemed to brighten at his words. Pitch smiled up at it before going inside where he heard North and Bunny arguing about something to do with who made better eggnog.

This definitely would take some getting used to. But he would get through it.

From up above on the moon, his old friend Nathaniel watched down with a smile. "Welcome back to the light my friend."

...

This has been quite the ride! I certainly hope you enjoyed it! Please review and let me know what you thought!