The night was calm. The kind of calm night that told anyone children were sleeping soundly in their slumber. Everyone was enjoying their dreams, even the grown-ups. Not a single nightmare was in sight, not a single toss or turn. Dreams knew nothing of nightmares or scares in their golden stories of slumber. Moon beams were everywhere, practically dancing around the night air, making sure children had a light that night. And the moon was at his brightest, shining and splendid for the children. But there was something strange happening in the mist of the night, for a few nightmares galloped quietly somewhere in the shadows. They harmed not a single child. They didn't even come near a child. So no one knew of their galloping. No one knew of their presence except for one.

His white eye brows furrowed as his old, wrinkled eyes seemed to squint at the mares. His eyes quickly followed their trail, and he knew of their purpose. His dark blue cloak flowed menacingly, like he was ready to attack the mares. However, his eyes moved around slowly after the mares vanished. When his eyes finished scanning the entire area, he spawned a blue, rigid scythe and slammed its base onto the ground. A giant cirlce glowed like a blue flame at his feet. Roman numbers and hands appeared in the circle like a clock. The hand of the clock spun around the old man once, pulling him into the center of the portal, taking him somewhere else.

He appeared where the sun was setting over a city with a giant clock tower. He looked around at the trees that surrounded him. He realized then that he was at a park. He watched some teenagers go through him on their bicycles and let out a small snort, raking back his short, white hair. The old man rolled his eyes and looked back at the horizon. He felt a small tug on his robe and looked down at the small, blond boy, who was trying to get his attention.

The boy smiled up at him. "Are you a wizard? You came out of nowhere. I mean, you just appeared."

The old man smiled gently. "I am a wizard, a wizard of time."

The boy's eyes widened, taking one step back. "You're Father Time, aren't you?"

Father Time smiled. "Yes, indeed. And fear of me is something you not need." His white, layered hair grew darker and slightly longer. His back became slightly smaller and stronger. His pale eyes became a more lively grey. The wrinkles on his face become smooth, clear skin. He smiled a charming smile at the boy, who awed at the wizard's transformation.

"Wow! You're a teenager now!" The boy grinned. "You really are Father Time."

Father Time nodded. "I am still no threat to you, but I'm afraid," he looked out at the horizon, "a storm is coming through." 

The boy looked at the horizon, raising a brow. "I don't see any clouds." 

Father Time paused. He placed a hand on his chin and stared at the horizon for a moment. He looked down at the boy and smiled. "That is because there won't be one, for I will make sure it cannot be done." He ruffled the boy's hair, and the boy laughed. "Always keep your light strong."

The boy blinked. "What do you mean my light?"

Father Time gently placed a finger on the boy's chest. "Your hopes and dreams."

The boy looked at his heart for a moment. He nodded slowly and looked around. "Can anyone else see you? No one seems to because they're not noticing how different you're dressed from us."

Father Time shook his head. "And you can't tell grown-ups that you've seen me." He smiled. "Or else the magic wears off, and like them you won't see me until the time be."

The boy paused, but he seemed to understand. "Oh, okay." The boy grinned.

"Gerald!"

The boy glanced back then quickly looked at Father Time, who smiled at him. "My mom's calling me, so I have to go now. But don't worry, I come to this park all the time." Gerald smiled at Father Time. "Will we meet again?"

Father Time grinned. "Most definitely."

"Until next time then." Gerald ran to his mother, and Father Time could hear their small argument about how long Gerald took to respond. Father Time watched as the park cleared and the sun disappeared as the balance of time and nature told it to. It was then that he heard the quiet laughter of a girl.

He whirled around and saw her disappear behind a tree. He heard the laughter again, but only got the same small glimpse when he turned again.

"I had a feeling I'd actually see you here." She laughed.

Father Time turned to the swings and saw a girl with long, black hair. She stared at Father Time with her dark orange-tinted eyes. She took a step towards him, her black, inky dress flowing behind her as if there was wind. The rising moon made her pale skin look like grey snow.

She grinned. "You've been following me, haven't you, Mr. Time? How many years did it take for you to catch up?"

Father Time glared. "You do not follow the balance of time as you are supposed to."

She held up a finger. "Correction. As I WAS supposed to. I can live forever now. Broke a few rules." She snickered.

Father Time spawned and gripped his scythe firmly by his side.

"Now, don't get all cranky." Pitch grinned, stepping out of the shadows and wrapping his arms around the girl from behind her. "Many don't follow your rules anymore, Raynerof. They are too strict. You should be used to it by now."

Father Time's eyes narrowed. "I should have known it was you all along, making Cupid get the blood of mermaids with an enticing song."

"Actually, Raynerof," Pitch smiled with narrow eyes, "Cupid did that all on her own, and I'm quite glad she did. You see, it's how I have the most wonderful person in the world." Pitch kissed the side of the girl's head. "Well, breaking YOUR rules was just a bonus really."

Father Time frowned. "I will not believe such an obvious lie."

Pitch looked at Raynerof for a moment. He tilted his head as he continued to look into Raynerof's eyes. He grinned. "Ha, you can't reverse it, can you?" He laughed and caressed the girl's cheek. "That's why you're angry. You can't make my dear Raven age."

Father Time glared at Pitch, gripping his scythe tightly. He took a deep breath and remembered to focus on the more important matter. "Where is Cupid?" Father Time's gray eyes stayed on Pitch as shadows and fearlings began to surround him, wickedly laughing at him because he was outnumbered.

Pitch grinned. "I'm afraid you've run out of time."