"Stop." I voiced as I stared at the vision of Pitch leaning over the cot. It was strange to see the same person who went after Bunny and the others with so much hatred. The person here and the person that we just defeated are like night and day.

"Ya alright there, Jacky?"

"No, not really. I just found out that Pitch is my adoptive father. The weirdest thing in the world about that is...he actually seems decent at the moment. He even got Wendy to sprinkle..." My eyes went wide and I immediately turned to Sandy. "Oh my God...Sandy are you okay?"

Sandy looked at me and nodded his head with a smile and with his symbols he said, "It's strange, and uncomfortable, but I knew Pitch Black before he was Pitch Black. So did Bunny. We both knew him at around the same time. It's strange...but it's like watching more than just your past, and I mean...that's obvious, but it's like seeing shades of the old Pitch."

"Pitch wasn't always Pitch?"

"No..." Sandy told me with a small smile. "It's like Tooth said. We were all somebody before we were chosen, and he used to be a good man that loved his wife and daughter."

"Yeah, apparently. It's just...a bit weird to see. Are you sure you're alright?"

"He's using it for it's intended purpose. As surprising as it is that he's doing that at all...I'm glad he is. The way you were left was horrible, and at least you're being looked after. I..." Sandy then looked down at his hands, then up at the other Guardians. After that, I could tell he let out a silent sigh.

"What's wrong, Sandy?"

"We should've been there. At the very least I should've been. You already fell asleep once...I should've known, but I didn't."

I smiled at him, feeling a warmth in my heart. "I don't blame you. All of you were looking after all the children of the world. I'm fine now, see?" I told him as I spun around, but as I did, I got a full view of self disappointed faces. "Guys?" I asked them with a concerned tone as I looked up at them.

"Sandy is right, Jack. We should've been there for you." North stated as he looked back at the cot.

I looked at Bunny and his ears were dropped, but I remembered his words from earlier. "Well, you're here now...right?" My words seemed to have made them feel better, because they all seemed to relax at once. They smiled at me and nodded their heads. "Alright then. Continue."

The scene shifted to me in a garden, and I had to have been a year old at least because I was able to sit up in the grass. The grassy field was lush and beautiful. There were at least three apple trees and two orange trees. There was also a small pond in between them. The area it was in, was clearly an area that would be hidden from humans. The sunlight that came in, came through a hole in the side of the cavern, shining light in most of the cavern, but leaving just enough room for Pitch to sit on a chair in the shadows. "Oh if the Guardians could see you." Wendy teased as she ruffled Pitch's hair while I played with the flowers in the sunlight, just in front of his chair.

Pitch grimaced as he reset his hair and continued to watch me happily pick flowers. "If the Guardians could see me, they would accuse me of kidnapping or they would say I was trying to turn him into a fearling."

"Would you fight them if they did accuse you of such things?"

"No. I wouldn't have a leg to stand on, Wendy. I can't blame them for believing what they believe. I still remember everything that happened when the nightmares and fearlings had control over my body and voice. The only thing they didn't have control over were my senses. I could feel, see, taste, touch, and hear everything I did. What I did to Aster...there is nothing that could atone."

I heard a gasp come from behind me so I looked at the memory and softly said, "Stop." Then, I turned to see Bunny staggering back a bit as his eyes stared at memory Pitch in complete shock. I looked to the others, and they also looked at him in shock. "Bunny...do you know who Aster is?"

"Yeah...ya could say that, mate. I know him well. Ya see...that's my name."

"No...your name is Bunny...isn't it?"

Bunny then looked down at me and gave a smile I hadn't seen before, but it looked wrong on Bunny. It was a cross between regret, pity, and guilt. "Nah, that's just a portion of my name and the only ones who know my name are Pitch, Mother Nature, Manny, Father Time, North, Sandy, and Tooth. No one else knows, and I had planned to keep it that way after the battle with Pitch...the first one."

"Wait...so what's your real name?"

"E. Aster Bunnymund. That's my name, and back before Pitch had gone dark...we were actually friends once. I introduced him to my wife, and my seven kits. He played with them and somehow kept up with them almost as well as I did...but then...he was overrun by darkness. Which...now that he says what he's saying...with nothing to gain from it...it has to be the truth, and it makes sense. The man I knew...he wouldn't have tortured anyone on my planet. He helped protect it. It's just...surprising. It's strange to discover this side of Pitch that I thought was long gone once he was overrun by darkness, and then he goes and basically says that he was tortured on the inside and that what he did to me, he couldn't make up for. It's all...a bit much. That was more years ago than ya can probably count."

As much as I really wanted to know more about Bunny's life, and the fact that he had seven kits, which I'm assuming are kids, I could tell by the tone in his voice that it was more than a simple sore spot. It was a reopened wound, and I was not about to pour salt in it, especially after the fact that he let me cry into his fur. "So...this is going to be an awkward journey for everyone."

"Seems like."

"Well...let's get this over with then..."

"Wait!" Tooth shouted.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Just..." She walked over to where I sat and crouched down so she could look at the small memory me. "You're so cute. I don't understand it."

I quirked an eyebrow as I watched her gaze at my smaller self with what I could only describe as confusion and sadness mixed in with something deeper. "What don't you understand?" I asked her as I walked along the grass before crouching next to her.

"How someone could...just get rid of you. She never gave you a chance. She called you a devil child, Jack! That doesn't sit well with me, and yet here you are in the presence of Pitch Black, who seems to be a better person than that woman."

"Yeah well...we'll see more of that, I'm sure...Let's um...continue."

"Who is Aster?" Wendy asked with a curious voice as she gently wrapped herself around me.

"If he has not said who he is, I will not say. Let's just say...we were like Brothers once."

"Fine, keep your secrets."

"They are not MY secrets to tell, that's the thing."

"Fine...so why did you pick this spot? I mean, I get that he's a year old now, and it's spring, but this area has the most light."

"That's exactly why, Wendy. The boy needs sunlight. We've had this conversation haven't we? If he doesn't get enough sunlight it will effect how he sees and how he looks. It will also alter how the sun effects him. So, he needs sun."

"Fair enough...but you do realize...he's fifteen months old and he hasn't said his first word yet?"

"Yes, I am well aware. He'll talk when he's ready."

"What are you going to do if he calls you Dada or Papa?" The wind chuckled as she rushed around my smaller form, making me giggle in delight.

The look on Pitch's face seemed warm yet sad somehow, and at the moment, I still couldn't decide which was the more concerning of the two. "I don't see how he would know to call me that, as I haven't taught him how to say those words. I've taught him my name and your name along with a few basic words." He lifted himself up from his chair and waved a hand towards one of the apple trees, commanding a shadow to cut off and bring him an apple. Once it was in his hand, he sat back down and took out a knife from his pocket, and began peeling the skin off the apple, and throwing away the skin in a nearby trash can. Once it was fully peeled he started to gently slice it, setting each slice on a small plate. "Jack, snack time."

The smaller me giggled loudly as Wendy brushed against my hair. "Come on Jack!" She whispered to me. At her words, I pushed myself off the ground, and with Wendy's help, kept balance. Then, I began to toddle over to where Pitch was, and then I noticed that there was an image sewn into the shirt I was wearing. It was a golden cloud made of thread. I could only guess it was Sandy's dream cloud so I took a side glance at him and noticed that he must've thought the same thing too. Not wanting to interrupt more than necessary I decided to let the memory continue.

Once I got to Pitch's leg, I grabbed it with a fit of giggles. "P..." I started to say, and Pitch's eyes widened.

"You're going to speak?" He asked me with wide eyes and an even wider smile. "Come on, you can do it, Jack. Say...Pitch."

"P...P..."

"That's it! Keep going."

"P...P...Papa!" I shouted and was thrown into an even bigger fit of giggles.

"Papa!?" Pitch questioned with a sharp breath. Then, with an amused smile, he narrowed his eyes at me and ran a hand through my hair. "Wendy, is this your doing?"

"I...may have had something to do with it." She told him in a sing song tone that I knew all too well. She definitely had something to do with it.

"Papa?" The smaller me asked as I stood up against Pitch's leg again, and what was once shock and astonishment, quickly morphed into an overjoyed expression.

"I guess there's no helping it now, is there?" He chuckled out as he picked me up to rest me on his lap, and I, along with everyone else viewing the memory, noticed the singular happy tear that left his eye.

"No, not really." Wendy chuckled out softly.

"Here you go, Jack. I got you an apple." Pitch told the smaller me, and handed me a small slice of a peeled apple. When I took it from his hand, it almost immediately frosted, and watching it, I was personally caught by surprise.

"It...It frosted!" Wendy said.

"Yes, so it did." Pitch stated as his brow furrowed and I began to cry. He then picked me up in his arms and patted me on the back. "Shh...it's alright. It was an accident." Once I calmed down he placed me back on his lap and offered me another apple. "Jack?" Pitch asked, and the smaller me looked up before grabbing it. "Are you hungry?" A smile grew on my face, followed by a smile on Pitch's. "Alright, you have to be very careful, okay?" The smaller me then turned back to look at the apple and carefully grabbed it. When it didn't frost over, I giggled in Pitch's lap and put the apple in my mouth, giving it a soft bite.

"It seems...he can do more than make it cold."

"I had suspected that for a long time. This boy...he will be powerful. We will both need to train him."

"How would I be able to train him?"

"Speak with him, calm him, encourage him, and perhaps at some point...see if he can fly."

"I understand you'll be doing all the same...but fly? Are you sure?"

"It's a feeling I have."

"Hmm...well...if you're sure..."

"There's also one more thing..."

"What is it?"

"I may do something drastic for Jack. Something...unlike me."

"Oh, you mean something more unlike you than taking on a child?" Wendy snapped back playfully, and if she had a body, I'm sure she would defiantly be placing her hands on her hips by now with a smug smirk on her face.

"Yes, actually. You see, no one would think it strange if I took a child. What they would find strange is that I'm taking care of him and not turning him into a fearling prince."

"Alright...so what is it?"

"I want to..." Pitch looked at the smaller me with a smile that was fond, but confused at the same time. "...and this will sound completely strange, but if I don't do it, I feel like I would be doing more harm than...than..."

"You would feel like you would be doing more harm than...good?"

"Yes, that...I...am going to give him something precious to all children. Something...that will help him fight fears...should he have any."

"W-Why w-would you do that!? Y-You're right! That is unlike you! Are you well, Pitch?"

"I once fought against fearlings, nightmares, nightmare pirates, and the shadows. I've seen what they can do to an innocent's outlook on the world. I have seen what it can do to one's Joy, Hope, Wonder, Dreams, and Memories. I have personally experienced what it can do to one's body, mind, heart, and soul...and I can't let that happen to Jack. I just can't."

"He really has become like a son to you." Wendy stated in shock, and frankly, I couldn't blame her. I was completely speechless and nearly breathless at what Pitch was saying. It was strange, but it was good, and the longer I experience my memories with Pitch, the more I'm confused as to why he fought with the Guardians, and then towards the end of the battle...me.

"Yes, he has...and I already lost my daughter. I won't lose my son too. I can't, Wendy...I just...I can't."

"But...the Guardians won't know him. Not while he's down here."

"When he's old enough that it won't be a concern, I'll let him explore the above world, while giving him lessons on what to expect among other things. It's March...Easter is next month. I'm going to do something that if I'm caught...would be rather embarrassing."

"Y-You...you're going to paint eggs and hide them...aren't you?"

"Just to give him some belief. All children need it. If they don't have it...well...the result wouldn't be good especially in Jack's case considering the boy seems to have powers that are growing as he grows. I am the perfect example of what can happen when powers go awry. It would not be good for Jack or others if all he has is darkness, outings here and there, and only the animals to keep him company. No...unfortunately...even though at the moment he may be non-existent to the Guardians because he's down here with me and not up there...he will still need to hold onto what they represent in order to control his powers, and the most powerful way to do that is to give him belief."

"You would truly give him belief in the Guardians?" Wendy questioned not in shock or astonishment, but in awe, because every bit of his tone spoke the truth and that he meant all of it. There was determination, resignation, guilt, and something similar to a promise but lighter. It left all of us nearly breathless at the whole thing.

"I will." He admitted in a matter of fact tone as he ran a hand through my smaller self's hair, causing a smile to burst on my face as I turned to look at him. "I will tell him stories about them that no one has ever heard. I will also tell them of what they do and represent."

"But...that...you...I mean...this is strange...unexpected...I...why would you...I mean, don't they...didn't they...?"

"Yes, I am well aware how strange and unusual it sounds, but you have to admit, this is a strange and unusual situation. Now, the reason I'm doing this...I've already said. It's for Jack's safety and growth, and in hindsight, the safety of others. It would do no good if he had powers, hurt people with it, felt the pain of hurting innocent people, and only further lashing out. Yes, the Guardians hate me, but I also recognize they have every right to. I for one...well, I wouldn't say hate or even loathe really, but they can be insufferable and the fact that children believe in them and not me has me more than a little miffed...there's no reason why Jack should feel that way about them."

"I can see you're point...it's just...it's a bit difficult to comprehend that you would do that. Um...what kind of stories would you be telling him?"

"First...tell me the full names you think the Guardians go by. That way...I keep their own secrets rather than spilling them. Names are important things to us spirits...you should know that."

"Right um...well, there's North, who I only know as North. Then, there's Toothiana, Easter Bunny also known as Bunny, and finally Sandman. Those are the names I know them by."

"Then those are the names I will mention when telling the stories. I will tell them how they came to be, as I have found that out myself by personal experience, and I will tell them how they defeated me, but I may leave that part out until he's older. For now, I will tell him what they do and what they represent. He will have more knowledge about the Guardians than any other child."

"And...will you let him play with other children?"

"I answered that already. When he's old enough that it won't be an issue if a child is wandering, then I will. Or at the very least, when he can tell them that his father is...out or doing something, and that he was taught not to bring people over because I don't like it. That way, he can then play with other children, and I won't have to worry about them stumbling into my lair. One abandoned child won't go amiss apparently..." At the last word, Pitch seemed to ruefully roll his eyes, but mine stayed wide. I looked at the others and they wore around the same expression. "...but a small group of children? That will be a problem. I don't know exactly what I'll have him say, but...yes...I will eventually let him play with other children. If you will do me a favor before then, that would be helpful."

"What is it?"

"You said that the midwife said that he would've been better off without being in the family anyway. I need you to find out who the man is so that I can protect him until he is old enough to make his own decisions about how to treat and react to people who may be cruel."

"I will do my best."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome...but what will you do? What can you do? To the man I mean."

"If he should hurt Jack?"

"Yes."

"I won't kill him if that's what you're asking. What I will do however, is make it seem to the other villagers that he's gone mad by sending shadows after him and only him. You said the woman that gave birth to him was the village leader...well that would then make her husband the village leader after her death. If the villagers think he has gone mad, they will choose a new leader. I've seen them do this before." After I finished my fourth apple slice, Pitch set me back down on to the ground, and I toddled my way back to my little patch of grass with the small white flowers. "I also plan to do something I haven't done since I raised Emily."

"What would that be? You're already raising him..."

"On days that Emily had proven to be too difficult for her mother, which was more often than not, I took it upon myself to raise her and teach her how to properly act and react to things. I raised her to be a lady...a princess. I'll do the same with him. I'll raise him to be an educated gentleman and I'll raise him to be like a prince...a noble child. A wild one, like Emily was, but a noble child none the less. In some ways, they're actually very similar."

"You know...we both know that names are important things...so why do you keep calling Mother Nature...Emily?"

"That was the name I gave her when she was born. You knew her name, didn't you?"

"I did. She has told me and my three former siblings her name so that if anyone should speak it, and we hear it, we were to report to her immediately. You have nothing to worry about in that regard. She is no longer my Mother, and I have higher priorities now." Wendy told him as she wrapped her air around me, ruffling my hair in the wind. "He will be a good child."

"He already is." Pitch told her with a soft smiled as he propped his elbow on the arm of the chair and rested his head on his fist. "I must thank you for convincing me."

"Thank me?" Wendy practically gasped in shock and none of us could blame her.

"Yes. I know when he reached his hand out to me I reached out for him, but honestly, I don't know what I would've done with him. Both of you have brought me a peace I haven't known in such a long time."

"Well, I'm just glad that you're going to do everything you can to make sure he grows up to be good and in control of his powers. I'll help of course, like I said, but there is something to consider."

"What would that be?"

"Some humans that see him may want to accept him into their family if they discover that he, in fact, doesn't have a house...at least not one on the surface. If they take as much a shine to him as you have..."

Pitch nodded his head and let out a sigh. "I'll allow him to make that decision. Even I had friends that were like family at one point. I considered him to be my brother and his children, my nieces and nephews." Pitch let out a soft reminiscent chuckle before he continued, "They even called me uncle when they were old enough to speak."

"Are we talking about the one named Aster?"

"Yes." Pitch nodded and smiled. "Now...let's say, hypothetically that he does start to live with the mortals up top, they would have to accept him. If they do, and he gains friends that are like siblings to him, he will more than likely call them as much as a family as he calls me and you. I will allow it. He can call them his extended family if he likes, but I will also make sure that he knows he can always return and that even if the other children should walk through me, I will still watch over him and witness how he interacts with them."

"I'm glad." Wendy seemed to sigh out and then the scene started to change, but before it could fully settle I told it to stop, and it did.