Come on! Come on! Jack thought as he continued to cut through a couple strands of the rope. Almost-Got it! Relief washed over him as he felt the ropes loosened over his wrists. One hard yank, and Jack would be free, but Onyx was still a problem.

He glanced over to the homunculus and saw that he was still pondering over his personal moral dilemma. Jack could try to sneak away, but it wasn't likely he could get far before Onyx realized he was free. Was there was way to distract him or take him out by surprise?

However, Jack's thoughts were interrupted as he heard footsteps accompanied by Pitch's chuckling. Jack made certain his hands were still tucked behind his back so the alchemist wouldn't realize he was free. Jack's worry tripled as he saw Pitch hold both Bunny's boomerang and his own staff. The boy remained still as the man placed both weapons to lean against the tree.

Pitch continued his smirking as Bunny appeared from behind him. Jack cursed as Onyx immediately approached him and grabbed both of Bunny's arms.

"You shouldn't be here!" Jack cried. What was Bunny thinking?! He played right into Pitch's hands.

"What was I suppose ta do?" Bunny grunted, while Onyx pinned his arms to his back. "Sit back, and do nothin'?"

Jack's eyes narrowed. "Since I'm not your problem anymore, I would think making sure the big creepy bad guy not getting magic would be a priority." Sure, he was still angry Bunny didn't want him, but he didn't want Bunny paying the price for him being tricked.

"Jack," Bunny started as his ears went back, "what ya heard-"

"Enough!," Pitch said as he raised his hand. "I could care less about the mindless drama, we have business to attend to." The alchemist grinned as he turned to Bunny with a grin. "You know what I want Pooka, awaken my magic!"

Bunny growled as he struggled against Onyx's hold. "And if I refuse?"

Pitch gave a tired sigh. "Is a demonstration really necessary?" he reached into his coat and brought out a bottle, and a black case. Jack paled as Pitch opened the case, and pulled out a long syringe. "Very well, if you insist," Pitch said as he drop the case, and held up for Bunny to see.

Jack gulped as he felt his stomach lurched at the sight.

"What is that?" Bunny said, his voice full of dread.

"An updated version of my little rabbit potion," Pitch said as he filled the syringe from the bottle, "and I can assure you it won't be as easy to fix as it was last time."

"Pitch, no!" Bunny cried, but Onyx held him back.

Pitch turned sharply to Jack as he held the needle straight up. "Time for your shot, Jack."

Jack's back up into the tree as he tried to get hands untangled from the ropes faster. Unfortunately, Pitch proved faster and grabbed Jack's chin. He forced the boy to lift his head so he could aimed the needle to his neck.

"Let go!" Jack spat as he struggled.

"You brought this on yourself," Pitch whispered, "I did give you a chance to join as my apprentice." Jack felt the needle poking his skin. "Now, you'll simply join me as my new pet," he sucked air between his teeth "or perhaps lab rabbit is a better word-"

"Pitch! Stop!" Bunny cried.

"You know what I want, Pooka!" Pitch shot back as he let go of Jack's chin, and held him by his hair. "Awaken my long awaited magic or I shall turn this boy into a rabbit!"

Bunny swallowed, and seemed dying to punch Pitch's face. However, upon meeting his eyes with Jack's frightened pair, his ears lowered and he stared at the ground. "Fine, I'll do it."

Pitch withdrew the syringe a few inches. "No tricks."

"On my honor as a Pooka," Bunny replied. "No tricks as long as ya don't hurt Jack."

"Bunny, no," Jack whispered, wiggling his hands, and getting ready to spring free. Yet, his protests were ignored as Pitch let go of him and approached Bunny.

He grinned maliciously as Onyx kept his hold on Bunny. "Well, then," Pitch said as he tucked his arms behind back. "It's time I am granted my magic and it's been far overdue."

"No!" Jack cried. He leaped forward, shaking off the ropes and chanted under his breath. Before Pitch had time to turn around, Jack blinded him with a light spell and knocked Pitch to the ground.

"Master!" Onyx yelled in fright, but he kept his hold on Bunny.

"Jack!" Bunny cried, struggling to break free. "What are ya doin?!"

"Saving you!" Jack cried as he turned to them. "Hold on-Ack!"

Suddenly, Pitch had recovered and tugged the boy to the ground. Snarling like a wild animal, Pitch pinned Jack to the ground, still holding the syringe. "You wretched boy!" Pitch exclaimed as he held one hand on Jack's neck. "You'll pay for that!"

Jack acted fast. Using both hands, Jack wrapped his hands around Pitch's wrist and struggled to keep the needle away from his face. "You won't win!" Pitch mocked as Jack tried to push him off. "Give up!"

Jack grunted, but didn't dare lower his guard. All it would take was one prick with that needle, and it was over.

"Jack!" Bunny yelled as he hastily tried to wiggle free, but Onyx kept his hold.

Bunny growled in frustration as Pitch held the point of the needle over Jack's face. Seeing him in so much danger, the Pooka felt something inside literally shatter.

Bunny felt a wave of power wash over him, and he grinned in triumph. The last part of the seal had finally broken. Not wasting a moment, Bunny thumped his foot and suddenly vines shot out of the ground. Onyx screamed in fright as the vines tangled around his arms and legs to tie him up.

Bunny rushed over, and saw Pitch was winning the fight. The tip of the needle was almost scratching Jack's face.

"Get ya paws off my boy!" Bunny cried. He rammed into Pitch, kicking him off and watched the alchemist collide into a tree. Bunny growled as Jack sat up and he wrapped a protective arm around Jack's waist. "Are ya hurt? Did he get you any-"

"No, I'm okay," Jack said as he swallowed and glanced over to the tree where their weapons were stashed. "Be better if I had my staff."

Bunny nodded was about to go and grab their weapons, but then Pitch decided to move and Bunny stayed where he was. He let himself be a living shield before risking the man touching his boy.

Pitch steadied himself by leaning against the tree as he glared at the pair of them.

"Not..so..fast!" Pitch's face was full of rage as he forced himself to stand and lean against the tree. "Pooka, you WILL give me my magic and Jack, when I'm through with you, no one will be able to tell you were a human-WHAT ARE YOU TWO STARING AT?!"

Jack gave a shocked look to Bunny and looked uncertain who should inform Pitch on what the man clearly didn't notice.

However, it was Onyx that spoke nervously from his vine trap. "M-Master!" he stammered. "Your chest!"

Pitch blinked as he glanced down and his grey face went pale. The needle, now empty, was sticking out of his chest. Pitch yanked it out, letting it drop to the ground. "I have time!" he cried as he scrambled to open his coat. "I have time for the antidote before-NO!"

Suddenly, Pitch's arm started to shake. He had no choice, except to drop the bottle as his hand started to morph into a paw.

Bunny kept his protective arm over Jack as they watched the alchemist's body start to shake violently. Pitch collapsed to the ground, and dug his fingers into the dirt as his arms started to shrink and his ears started to grow longer.

"No, no," he cried. "This can't happen-" Pitch was cut off as he suddenly vanished into his black coat. Jack moved his body as far as Bunny would let him to watch the lump that now existed inside Pitch's coat wiggle.

There were a series of curses until a black rabbit dug his way out of the coat and looked down at himself. He gave a noise that was a strange mix between a terrified squeak and a moan. "No..no! How did this happen?!"

Onyx gave a loud grunt as yanked himself free from the vines. He kneeled as he approached Pitch. "Master?" Onyx said as he stared at the tiny rabbit in confusion.

Jack stared silently at Pitch knowing he should be horrified. He personally knew how painful and terrifying being turned into a rabbit had been. It would have been his fate barely a minute ago if Bunny hadn't kicked Pitch off of him.

Maybe it was just the adrenaline wearing off, but Jack founding himself chuckling. "You're adorable, Pitch."

Pitch's body shook as he turn his body and bared his teeth. "Shut up!"

Jack was almost delirious with laughter. "We should tie a bow on you! Right, Bunny?!"

Bunny said nothing as he kept his arm around Jack, looking afraid that Pitch could still attack him in his new tiny form. "I rather keep him in a cage," Bunny said as he growled and narrowed his eyes.

Pitch growled, but it only caused his ears to fold back and for Jack to break out laughing. "Oh, man! Bunny, PLEASE tell me I can pull him out of a hat!"

"Jack," Bunny warned, but he was cut off by Pitch.

"Enough!" Pitch hissed. "Onyx, take me out of here!"

"Yes, Master!" Onyx cried as he scooped Pitch into his arms.

"Hey!" Jack protested as Onyx ran past them at top speed, but Bunny kept Jack where they were.

"Leave them," Bunny said as he pulled Jack to his feet and frantically checked him over. "Yer sure ya weren't nicked by that needle anywhere?"

"I'm fine," Jack said as he batted Bunny's hands away. His eyes then narrowed as he turned his head away. "It's not like I'm your problem any more, thanks for the concern though."

Bunny gave a low sigh. "Jack, look I know what ya think ya heard, but it wasn't the whole thing."

Jack blinked as he glanced up confused. "What?"

"In the kitchen," Bunny started, gently. "The truth is-"

"Bunny!" North exclaimed as he and the other Guardians charged through the eastern side of the clearing. Jack briefly wondered if they had seen Onyx carrying Pitch, but realized they hadn't since they had scurried off towards the west side of the forest. North, and Tooth both held up swords as Sandy prepared a golden whip.

"What happened?!" North exclaimed as he frantically looked around.

"It's alright," Bunny said as he held up his hands. "It was Pitch but that's been taken care of."

"Pitch?!" Tooth said in alarm as she started to fly and search the area. "Where is he now?"

"Um…," Jack said with a half grin. "Being carried around by Onyx because he got turned into a black rabbit."

The other Guardians stared silently at Jack, until North raised a hand. "Did you take photo?"

"North!" Tooth scolded, as she hovered in the air and checked Jack over for injuries.

"What?" North said. "Photo of Pitch as rabbit would be good to see!"

Sandy shook his head as he looked to Bunny with a question mark.

"We'll give the details later," Bunny said as he picked up his boomerang and handed the staff to Jack. "Let's just get back ta the mansion first. Sandy, mind gettin' Pitch's coat? I rather not leave those potions bottles of his laying around."

Sandy nodded as he gingerly folded the coat, and being careful not to break the bottles within as the clanked together.

Bunny took the lead as they made their trek back to the house. During this, Jack was quiet as he let Bunny explain what had happened to Pitch. Normally, he be jumping and adding details, but he was too busy pondering on what Bunny was going to say next.

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Once they were far enough, Pitch hopped out of Onyx's arms to properly look over himself and gave a deep growl. "They'll pay for this! All of them!"

"M-Master," Onyx stammered as he lowered himself to be eye level with Pitch. "I'm sure we can fix this. Surely you have a potion you can drink to return to normal?"

Pitch sat on his hind legs as his eyes narrowed at his servant. "Oh? Tell me, Onyx, what potion would that be considering we left my coat, that contained all my potions, with the Guardians?!" Onyx winced as Pitch pointed a paw at him and bared his teeth. "Never mind, the antidote for this update version of the rabbit potion can only work if you drink it seconds before it changes the victim! This is permanent, you idiot!"

"I'm sorry, Master!" Onyx cried, bowing his head as he grovelled.

"Sorry, doesn't restore my body!" Pitch screamed. "What am I suppose to do when the only help I have is a brainless, half wit-"

"That's enough, Father!"

Pitch and Onyx both froze at the new voice, and light footsteps approached them. Pitch slowly turned to see a face he hadn't seen in centuries and became quiet. "Emily Jane?"

His daughter gave a haughty snort. "You know, I don't go by that name anymore."

Pitch's eyes narrowed and snorted, but was cut off by Onyx before he could speak another word. "Mistress, what are you doing here?"

"Came to collect you and Father," Seraphina said with a smirk. "I had a feeling things were finally going to come to a head." She hid her mouth behind her hand and chuckled. "But I never imagined it would have such a hilarious outcome."

Pitch growled and bared his teeth. "This is nothing to laugh about! I refuse to stay like this and you will assist me in returning to normal."

Seraphina continued to laugh as she kneeled. "You're not in any kind of position to give threats, and I much prefer you like this."

Pitch's eyes widened and started to run. However, Seraphina snapped her fingers and a powerful gust of wind came pushing Pitch directly into her lap. Seraphina gave a cryptic grin as she scooped him up like a cat and opened her basket.

"Personally, I think it's an improvement. You'll fit nicely into my basket."

"What?!" Pitch cried as he struggled to get free. "Seraphina, don't you even dare-" He was cut off as she dropped him into her basket, and securely shut the latch. Pitch continued to give screams of protest, but they were muffled by the basket.

Seraphina giggled. "Keep that up and I'll put a bow on you as well, Father."

"M-Mistress?" Onyx asked as he stared confused. "I don't know what I'm suppose to do."

Seraphina gave him a rare kind smile and patted his cheek. "You just have to come with me and not listen to Father's orders anymore. Understood?"

Onyx blinked as he looked to the basket that Pitch was still yelling from and looked back to Seraphina. "You mean, I don't listen to Master anymore?"

"Nope, nor me, you are you're own master," she replied as she climbed onto her broomstick and offer her hand. "Let's go home, Onyx."

Onyx stared unsure, but slowly gave a smile as he took her hand to join her.

Author's Note: So, next week will be the last chapter and the epilogue. Hard to believe this story is almost complete. Thanks to all my readers for this!