Kasper stared out the glass doors of the large balcony to watch the setting sun. She smiled to herself, knowing what she must do. She took a deep breath, inhaling from her nose. She was satisfied with her decision, and she didn't care what the rest of the kingdom had to say about it.

Tonight was the night.

                                                          ~~~~~~~

The ball began as it always had, but Kasper felt different. Everything felt different to her. The same people now seemed happier. The same song seemed merrier with a lighter tone. The ballroom felt empty but full. She knew she would have to wait a bit for Jack to arrive, but the time of waiting felt shorter.

She looked up at the top of the stair case, and there was Jack. She paused, noting Jack was talking to Cupid. After a moment, Cupid looked at Kasper and pointed Jack to her. Jack froze as he stared at Kapser. Everything seemed to freeze as Jack and Kasper made their way to each other. But the music kept playing and people were still moving.

Kasper smiled, standing a foot in front of Jack. "How are you?"

Jack smiled at her. "I'm good. How are you, Princess?"

Kasper let out a small laugh. "You won't have to call me that soon."

Jack paused. "What do you mean?"

Kasper lowered her eyes, bracing herself for what she planned to do. "Come on." She took Jack's hand and ran to the front of the ballroom.

Jack's looked around quickly. "What's going on?"

Kasper smiled at him, then she faced the ballroom. "May I have everyone's attention?"

The music stopped, and everyone faced Jack and Kasper. Everything was silent. However, Jack noticed his stepmother glaring at him. Did she know? And what was going on anyway?

Kasper took a deep breath. "I've selected a suitor."

Everyone's eyes flew toward Jack.

Jack froze in surprise and shock. He looked at Kasper. "M-me?"

Kasper nodded. "If that's okay with you," she whispered.

Jack smiled and held Kasper's hand. "Of course. I was actually hoping for it." He locked his gaze with hers. "Because I want to know more about you."

Kasper began to blush.

Cupid smiled and began clapping. Everyone clapped with Cupid and congradulated her and Jack.

Kasper whispered to Jack, "Is it okay if I take off your mask?"

Jack froze. His heart began to rise in pace. He thought of his stepmother and what she might do. But he looked around. There were too many people for a fight to start. Jack nodded.

Kasper took Jack's mask off. "I give you, Jackson Overland Frost."

Everyone cheered and clapped again. However, Jack's stepmother's eyes were wide, and she began to scream. "HOW DARE YOU! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT FILTH!"

Jack glared at her as everyone stared at her.

She walked toward Jack. "Explain to the kingdom about this trick."

"It's not a trick," Jack said darkly. "She chose me." He felt the strange sensation from before growing.

She scoffed. "How would ever want you? You're nothing but the son of a man who died for nothing. You clean my house and it still looks like filth. You're nothing but the son of a bitch." She faced everyone. "This... boy is nothing more than the son of Pitch Black."

"Pitch Black has been gone for centuries now," Bunnymund said. "This is an obvious lie."

"Is it," She asked wickedly. "Can't you all feel it now? Something dark grows here." She faced Jack. "You're causing it, aren't you boy?"

Jack glared at her. "Stop it."

She took a step forward. "How far did you go? Hm? Where did you get those clothes that, I, your stepmother, cannot afford? Did you promise someone something? Did you use some sort of magic I don't know about? Little filth like you." She faced everyone again. "Did you know... he's the son of a whore?"

Everyone gasped, and Jack lowered his head, trying to control his anger. The feeling inside him grew stronger. Cupid took a step down the stairs. Kasper felt speachless. She didn't know what to say or how to handle the situation.

She went on. "He sells his body, much like her. He once came home, smelling of dog, telling me he was paid to give service to a dog." She turned to Kasper. "I suppose a mask blinding you to that."

Several ice spears surrounded Jack, aimed at his stepmother. A black aura spiraled around him. Kasper stared at Jack.

Cupid stared in horror. "No..."

Everyone began stepping back or exiting.

Jack lifted his head, glaring at his stepmother with yellow eyes instead of blue. "You will pay for those lies."

"Where they lies?" His stepmother smiled. "Is there not something dark in you right now?"

The spears flew at her, and she just smiled. Cupid rapidly released arrows at the spears, breaking them. Bunnymund threw his boomerangs at the two spears that almost hit Cupid.

Cupid flew in front of Jack. "There won't be any killing."

Jack glared at Cupid. "Why are you protecting her?"

"These aren't your actions."

Jack glared at Cupid for a moment. "So this is why there is so much bad in the world. People like you trick me. You make me believe you care and help me, and then you do whatever the hell you want with me."

Cupid stared at Jack for a moment. "Do you remember what I said about the difference between good and evil?"

Jack swiftly moved his arm to one side. An ice arm hit Cupid to a wall.

Kasper glared at Jack. "Why did you do that?"

Jack said nothing as he and his stepmother glared at each other. He began walking toward her.

She laughed. "You only proved me right. Look at the few people in the room."

The guards ran in. "Lower your weapons."

Jack stood still and had ice spears impale them. Kasper stared in horror. "Jack!"

Jack glared at his stepmother. "Tell me, where are my brothers now?" His clothes became black.

His stepmother smiled. The room darkened. "Herny, Elenor, come out." Elenor was the only one to reveal himself. "Henry!"

Henry stood by Cupid. "I have no side in this."

She glared at Henry. "You, fool." The room darkened, and Henry's shadow glidded away from him. The shadow removed itself from the floor and formed itself in the shape of Henry. Ice formed on the floor beneath him. She smiled. "I suppose all of you are against me."

Kasper's eyes shifted as she thought. Something had to be done. She materialized herself as a ghost and entered Jack.

Jack's eyes widened, but he quickly gained control. He grinned. "It seems I have two battles."