Hey guys! Thanks for the awesome reviews! They gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. But seriously, I'm glad there are people out there that actually enjoy this story (besides me). This chap was more filler-style, but hey, every story needs 'em!
Sandy watched as a yeti examined Tooth. Aside from minor injuries on her wrists from the rope, she was physically unscathed. The yeti deftly bandaged her wounds and grunted, announcing Tooth fit to leave. Who knew yetis were such good doctors?
Tooth rubbed her wrists and hopped off the table she had been sitting on. "Thanks," she smiled at the hairy creature towering above her. "I feel lots better now."
Sandy smiled at her and opened the door as she moved toward it. Tooth turned her smile to him, and Sandy floated off the ground, practically glowing. Tooth left the room and immediately took off into the workshop, off to who knew where.
Sandy exited more slowly, and wondered where she was going in such a hurry. North had ordered Tooth to take a few days rest in order to recover, and insisted that she remain at his factory. Sandy knew North wanted to keep an eye on her, and frankly, he agreed. Tooth needed to recuperate, preferably away from her work place.
The Guardians had quickly left the clearing after rescuing Tooth. They hadn't wanted to wait around, and Sandy created a sand plane to carry Tooth and himself. When they arrived at the North Pole, North had bustled Tooth to what passed as a medical room, and here they were.
Strangely, Tooth hadn't objected to her enforced bed rest. Sandy found it odd that she didn't even want to visit her fairies. Granted, she just got back, but they were her children, and they missed her. It was just one more mystery Sandy was determined to figure out.
Sandy wandered aimlessly through the workshop, watching the yetis work. There were a few hours yet until he had to work himself, and he didn't know what to do.
Soon, Sandy bumped into North, and the contact jarred him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see North, grinning, with his arms crossed. "A bit lost in thought, eh, Sandy?" He felt his cheeks warm, and cursed his suddenly golden cheeks, but nodded. He formed a picture of Tooth and pulled a worried face.
"Mmmm," North held his chin. "I believe you are right. Tooth is acting very strange. But what can we do? She will adjust, don't worry." And with that, the Russian patted his shoulder and strode away, off to oversee something important.
Sandy thought about what North had said, and hoped he was right. Tooth just needed some time, was all. She would get better. Yeah. Of course she would! And Sandy would help her every step of the way. Confident in his plan, Sandy floated off to find Tooth.
Jack crouched on his staff in the balcony overlooking North's main workshop. He loved doing that. No one could ever figure out how he managed not to tip over, and he thoroughly enjoyed their confused stares.
Jack was glad they had saved Tooth, but he was baffled. Why would Pitch take her in the first place? Sure, she had helped to defeat him, but no more than the rest of them. If anyone, he should have kidnapped Jack. He was the one who had kept up belief in the Guardians long enough for them to beat Pitch. Or Sandy. Pitch had a personal grudge against that guy for something long in the past.
Eh, whatever. As long as his friends were safe, Jack was just fine. Jack marveled at that thought. This time last year, he had no one to talk to, let alone friends to protect, and never would. Or so he had thought. The idea hasn't even appealed to him; he was an invisible nuisance, and no one liked a trouble maker.
Jack's random train of thought was interrupted by humming wings. He smirked as Tooth flitted over to him, a grin on her face as well. "Hey Jack! Wow, that balancing trick never ceases to amaze me. Please tell me how you do it! Do you just float over your staff and look like you're sitting on it? Or-"
She was cut off as Jack laughed. "Man, Tooth, you sure got better quick! Back to talking my ear off, huh?"
Tooth blushed, but didn't seem deterred in the slightest. "Well, I'm curious! Besides, you know you like it." Jack shrugged. "Eh. Gotta keep myself entertained somehow, am I right?"
Tooth giggled. "Jack, you are hilarious. Have I ever told you that?"
"Well, I hope I am! Guardian of fun here!"
Tooth spun in the air. "Oh, I absolutely love fun, Jack."
Jack tilted his head, a sly look in his eyes. "Does that mean you love me?" Jack had meant it as a joke, but he faltered when Tooth didn't respond right away.
"Maybe," she drawled. "Why do you wanna know?" Jack was at a loss for words, but thankfully, Tooth went on. "I'm just teasing! See you around, Jackie!" She flew a bit higher and leaned in. And kissed Jack's cheek. He fell over in surprise, his balance completely ruined. Tooth simply laughed and flew away, leaving behind an extremely confused Jack Frost.
Sandy stood and stared. He was extremely confused. He had been looking for Tooth, and had found her. He watched from the ground floor as she approached Jack in the balcony. He hadn't wanted to interrupt them, so he waited. He was still waiting when Tooth kissed Jack.
Her action totally shocked him. First, Sandy thought she loved Jack. Then she told him that Jack was her brother and practically admitted that she loved Sandy. Now she's going around kissing Jack? Sandy must have missed something.
Sandy decided he had had enough. He was going to figure out once and for all what Tooth wanted, then either love her in return, or support her, like a good friend should do. Either way, he would know. Sandy was done moping around, beating around the bush, hiding his feelings. He couldn't stand this game anymore.
Sandy caught up to Tooth quickly, and gently grabbed her arm to get her attention. She turned, and stopped when she saw him.
"Oh, hey again, Sandy! Did you need something?" In answer, Sandy created Jack in dream sand form. It took a moment, but understanding dawned on Tooth's face. "You saw that?" She asked. Sandy nodded. "Well, we've spent a lot of time together. I guess it just took something big for me to realize how I feel. Getting kidnapped is kinda big, don't you think?"
Sandy barely registered her attempt at humor. Obviously, he misinterpreted her confession right before Pitch attacked. Tooth must have meant she loved him like brother, or a friend. Sandy almost shuddered. Friend-zoned for eternity.
Sandy gave a weak attempt at a smile, but Tooth didn't seem to notice his disappointment. She smiled one more time. "I knew you'd understand. Thanks, Sandy!" And she left. Just like that. Gone. Only she would never come back, not to Sandy. She wanted Jack, and Sandy would be happy for them, at least when anyone was watching.
Sandy landed softly on the ground. If he was going to support Tooth, then he should start right away. He decided he would go to her Palace and let her fairies know that Tooth had returned and was recuperating at the North Pole. Sandy walked slowly through the workshop until he came to a window, then silently left for the Tooth Palace.
Tooth struggled in her bonds. Her efforts had been fruitless so far, but she couldn't give up. That's what Pitch was probably waiting for. So what if her hands bled from rope burn? She had to escape and get back to her friends, back to Sandy.
Tooth stopped struggling when she heard footsteps echoing in the cavern. They were agonizingly slow, but Tooth waited patiently for Pitch to reveal himself. He was too arrogant to keep Tooth waiting long.
Sure enough, Pitch soon glided out of the shadows. "How are we today, Toothiana? I do so hope your wrists don't hurt too badly," Pitch mocked. Tooth glared at him but refused to be baited.
"I suppose you'd like to know what happened, hmm? When your friends tried to rescue you? And failed spectacularly, I might add." Tooth might have rolled her eyes if she wasn't so scared. It was just like Pitch to insult Tooth's friends while offering to answer her questions.
"Well, I don't know, Pitch. Is it even possible for you to tell the truth?" Pitch laughed, which was not the reaction Tooth wanted. He ignored her comment and launched straight into his genius plan.
"You Guardians never where that bright. Do you remember before I brought you here, when Sanderson was too busy to save you?" Tooth opened her mouth to retort that yes, she did remember him kidnapping her, but Pitch held up his hand.
"Ah, ah, ah. I'm still talking. There's a good girl. But you don't seem to recall that it was a copy of me that distracted the Sandman. A copy. Do you understand that?"
Tooth wanted to scream at him that yes, she did understand, thank you very much. But then it really sank in. Pitch cloned himself. And if he could clone himself...
Pitch chuckled and clapped his hands together. "That's correct, Toothiana. I can duplicate you, as well. I must admit, I was just a bit worried that the others wouldn't be fooled. But then Sandy charged in, like a knight in shining armor, and I knew my ruse had worked."
Tooth slouched down in her chair, feeling defeated. It was one thing to be brave when she knew help was coming, but now there was none. Her friends would believe that she was rescued and continue on with their lives. After all, they had jobs to do.
"That's why you needed my feather," Tooth stated lamely. It was the only thing she could think of to say.
Pitch nodded smugly. "I need something real to base the sand off of. Otherwise, it doesn't come out satisfactorily. But don't worry, little fairy. You'll see your friends again. I promise." And with that ominous remark, he melted back into the shadows.
Tooth hung her head, but Pitch wasn't done yet. Couldn't he just leave her to her misery? His voice floated back to her from the darkness. "Oh, dear. I forgot to mention the best part. Because your double is made of my sand, she will be a nightmare. A living, breathing, nightmare. Sandy's living nightmare, to be specific."
Tooth gasped as the full impact of her situation hit her. Pitch was going to trap Sandy in a world filled with his worst fears. And he was going to use her to do it. Pitch finally left her, now that he had given Tooth something truly horrible to think about as she sat, trapped, in the darkness.
Hey, you. Yeah, that's right. You. REVIEW! If you're not one of those amazing people who already did, then get to it! (please) How else am I supposed to know if you want me to keep writing? Or if I messed up horribly and my mistake is irreversible and I need to beg for mercy?
