Three Months Later...

Ana, the Queen of Sparkletopia, and her best friend, Olivia, the High General of Sparkletopia, crept through a dismal cave that allowed them only a few weak, sickly rays of sunlight to see by. The uneven pathways, divergences from the main path, and clutter of the space disoriented the girls.

Black sand swirled from the shadows to the pair, encircling them in tendrils of darkness. The streams fell to the floor, creating tinkling thuds on the stone floor. Pitch rose to tower over the two girls.

"Hello, ladies. What brings you here?" The Nightmare King broached.

"You invited me to come whenever I want," Olivia explained, almost grumpy. "So, I came."

"Aw," the Boogeyman cooed. "Someone's gwumpy! Do you need a nappy?"

"Not really," the girl said.

"We came to visit you, but if you're busy..." Ana began.

"Ana," Pitch sighed, pronouncing 'Ana' like 'ah-na.' "Of course I am busy! I have nightmares to spread, Guardians to avoid, and plotting to do! What else might I be doing?"

"Taking a shower and singing and dancing in the mirror," Olivia answered, before singing to a make believe reflective piece, "Flattering child, you shall know me. See why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror; I am there, inside!"

"Lovely performance, but I am quite worn out," the man said, exhaling a deep breath.

"Do we need to come back?" Ana inquired.

The Boogeyman stared at them for a moment, contemplating. He appeared as though he had been running a marathon all morning.

"You know," Olivia commented. "You don't look so good. What have you been doing?"

"I had to make up for that whole day we were gone at Sparkletopia, Olivia!" Pitch snarked, casting a meanful glance at the girl. "Childrens' hopes are raising without my constant presense! I am losing any shred of power that I have! Do you know how tired and weak that makes me?"

"Yeah, I do, actually. But I have just the remedy for... that..." Olivia told him, reaching into her bag for a rainbow. The High General handed him the strip of colors. Pitch accepted the food with an odd look, but nibbled a bite. A splash of color returned to the man's face.

"Putrid, yet refreshing nonetheless," the Nightmare King declared. "How does a cup of tea sound?"

Hope you loved it! If not... too bad! (I love you anyway.) Pitch, any last words? Oh, he says to tell you none of this happened. (Lies!)

Until I get another idea,

R.C.