Also this is going with the film which made no mention of Pitch being able to make fearlings. So Sophie is safe from that.

Enjoy.

Sophie meets the Boogeyman
Part 2

Pitch practically swan dived back into his lair, laughing so loud and happily that the echo bounced off the cages and walls into a mish-mash of symphony; quieting the little fairies instantly. The Nightmares that returned with him joined their master's glee with whinnies, stomping their hooves as they trotted back inside the lair.

"It's been a while," Pitch smiled happily. "Fighting someone new; Frost is good, I haven't had a decent scrap in some time."

He moseyed on over to the globe, his shadow covered feet stepping silently over the miscoloured cobbled bricks that surrounded the glowing sphere in a circular pattern, he stepped forward to inspect the damage the death of Sandman would be doing; he grinned widely as he saw that already lights were flickering out and he chuckled loudly, clapping a hand to his thigh.

Pitch hadn't been this upbeat in years!

Sandy's face!

Heck, all of their faces!

It had been perfect! It was beautiful and everything went exactly as Pitch had planned, and the Guardians? He knew precisely what they'd do next; they'd focus on Easter and he knew exactly how to ruin that but Frost? Why was he still with them? He mentioned the teeth...

Pitch glanced at the mountains of shining gold containers that filled the chasms of his home...

His eyes narrowed as he looked at them thoughtfully, he broke it all down; what was it Jack wanted? The teeth back. Why? What's important about teeth? They hold memories...Ah.

"Jack's teeth must be here," Pitch murmured, his thumb rubbing his finger absentmindedly.

But surely that can't be it, Jack was a spirit, an adult mentally. He can remember his memories without the help of teeth. Unless...

A nightmare stepped out of the herd with a soft nicker it caught Pitch's attention, he turned; surprised.

She had been at the window as well, overheard the Tooth fairy speak to Frost about his memories.

"If only I had known about your memories, I could've helped you sooner."

Helped him? With memories? Meaning he can't remember?!

Pitch smirked and started to chuckle.

Easy enough; all Jack wants is his teeth, that's why he still with the Guardians so...find Jack's memories and either coax him over to Pitch's side or use them as leverage to control the boy and keep him out of this.

Which might be harder since Sandman's death seemed to affect him.

Either way, this wasn't a problem. Pitch's smiled came back full force as he recalled the today's earlier events.

Another gleeful and excited giggle escaped his lips but was cut short when his faithful mare; Onyx, snorted, ears back and snarl full on her face, pointing behind him at one of the unlevelled staircases that led into several corridors among the ancient Venetian houses that had sunk down in mud long ago.

Pitch was on alert instantly, whirling round, snarl in place. Yes, now that he listened; he could hear someone was there. Silently seething at himself that he didn't hear or sense them straight away was bad enough but someone dared enter his home and that was more maddening.

As though being The Nightmare King meant nothing.

He forced his snarl down and smiled; unnervingly charming once more.

"Come out, come out..." Pitch sang playfully.

Suddenly all the fairies in the cages went nuts, screaming and squeaking at whoever it was to stay away, Pitch guessed they were at least.

Too bad.

"COME OUT..." Pitch sang louder, sounding more menacing and grinned, taking a step forward toward his 'guest'.

"OUT!" Sophie leaped out of the shadows at the top of the stairs with a high-pitch cheer of her own, Pitch stopped short, even the fairies shut up. "I'm out, out, out!"

Sophie hopped down three steps in time to her words before she looked at Pitch properly, who stood a near the globe; his mouth half open and his eyes looking upon her in confusion, the gears in his brain spinning.

Scary man, was all that the two year old thought as she gazed down at him with a gormless expression, her hair all over the place and her feet, hands and cuffs of her jammies all black with dust and muck.

Pitch felt a small slither of nerves from her simply because he was a stranger and looked different but it disappeared as soon as she noticed all the nightmares.

"Horsies!" She yelled happily, throwing her arms up in the air, her messy blonde hair practically standing on end.

It was only for a few seconds that Pitch felt an odd subdued sort of happy that she could see him, ridiculous as she was young enough to believe anything that anyone had mentioned, maybe a sibling told her of him or she overheard a name, saw a book...

...The list was endless.

Pitch gave his head a little shake. This was weird, no this was definitely weird...and not part of any plan but he could adapt easily enough. He plastered a smile on.

"Hello," Pitch shadow hopped to half way up the stairs making her jump and panic but it quickly gave way to giggles.

Granted Pitch wasn't at his scariest right now nor was he particularly trying to terrify her but still, giggling at Pitch Black? The Boogeyman swallowed back any annoyance and measured the girl up; she looked young and judging from her speech, not old enough to answer questions but he could try.

The fairies started making a racket again, prompting Pitch to turn and snarl at them, looking back at his mares and pointing at the cages with one long outstretched arm. The nightmares shot at the cages, teeth bared and scaring the petrified fairies into silence once more.

Pitch looked back at the child who was stood gawping up at all the cages, her mouth wide open, one green eye visible and curious with wonder. Pitch bent down and used a long finger under her chin to gently close her mouth, she noticed instantly giggled as though he had tickled her.

Pitch smiled in spite of himself.

"What's your name?" Pitch asked gently and took another step up so he was five steps away from her.

"S..." She slurred. "Soff-"

Soff? Foreign? Spoke English but maybe her parents liked the name.

"S...Soffie," Sophie said proudly, wiggling her shoulders and making her fairy wings, also slightly blackened round the edges, bounce.

Pitch cottoned on.

"Sophie?" He raised a smooth brow.

"Soffie! Soffy!" She cheered ecstatically and swung her arms about her.

"Where do you live?" Pitch asked.

Too late, her attention was caught by Onyx who had crept to the bottom of the stair in a curious manner. Sophie pointed at her, making Pitch straighten and turn to look, he turned back and watched her carefully sit on the stone step and go to bum shuffle down them; squawking with laughter at each small 'thud' she made on each step.

Down she went; thud, thud, thud, thud, shuffled round Pitch's feet, thud, thud...

Pitch had watched her go down, round him and reached the bottom and he sighed, furrowing his brow; much too young to even realise where she is or who Pitch was.

Nevertheless she was a child and as such the Guardians would attempt to rescue her if need be, more leverage was never a bad thing. Pitch mused as he meandered down the stairs after her, watching her prance up to Onyx who retreated a few uncertain steps.

Right now he still had Easter to ruin and teeth to find, a job for the nightmares, he could deal with her later.

"Sophie?" He called lightly.

She turned with a happy grin, her hair bouncing with the motion.

He beckoned her over with a finger and a nice smile and she came skipping along back to him, Pitch looked down at her as she went to weave behind and between his legs; hiding in his robe.

She'd be fine for now in one of the cages with the little birds.

To be continued.