((After a hiatus from this story, I've returned. I have the whole ending in my mind so I should be finished in December. Thank you for all my fans who kept me going, a few to name would be unwantedfruits &sadcobain . Yall always messaged me on my tumblr encouraging me, so thank you! ))

"I know the pieces fit 'cause I watched them fall away.

Mildewed and smoldering. Fundamental differing.

Pure intention juxtaposed will set two lovers souls in motion

Disintegrating as it goes testing our communication

The light that fueled our fire then has burned a hole between us so

We cannot seem to reach an end crippling our communication."
-Tool, Schism

Dahlia slowly awakened from her slumber, her long curls cover most of her pale face. She turned her head to the side, expecting to see Jack laying beside her. He isn't there. A frown appeared on her face as she sat up completely. The cold air brushing against her bare skin makes her completely aware of her nakedness. Her mind is wheeled back to last night and the intimate dance they shared. It only feels like a dream, but she knows it was real. She pulled the quilt up to cover her bare chest and when she stood up, it wrapped around her body. After putting on her clothes, she opened the large door to overlook Santa's workshop. The view of the colorful toys and Yetis making the gifts cause a smile on her face.

"Ah a smile!" A jolly voice said from the side causing her to turn her head slightly to see North. "I love to see children smile!"
"I'm not a child though," she said gently removing her eyes from him.
"No matter how old you get, you always a child in my eyes." He said with a smile.

His kind voice caused the young girl's heart to melt. She then turned to face him.

"Can I ask you something?" She questioned.
"Of course."
"It's about Pitch…"
North stared down at her and nodded, "Oh. Of course, ask."

Dahlia placed her hands together, "I…I…I was wondering, why does he want me?"

North rubbed his chin and sighed, "Pitch is just a being of nightmares. Some children have sweet dreams all their lives, while others have unpleasant dreams. Those dreams are what keep him going. Give him a reason for his existence. Some kids just have enough pain to keep him going in his life. Understand?"
She nodded slowly and then closed her eyes to let a sight escape her lips. "What…if I just left and forgot all of you?"

North just stared at her and placed a massive hand on her shoulders, "If you left us it would be your choice. Just know that we are always here for you."

Dahlia only nodded, "I know…I know that now. I just feel like that I distract um-"
"Jack?" North asked which caused her head to lower.
"Yeah…"
"Distraction and protection are two different emotions. You give him the fuel he needs to keep living."
"Really?"
North nodded, "Yes and never doubt that. Yet, if you feel like you are causing him to be distracted in battle, I understand."

North patted her shoulder and left her alone overlooking the toy factory. A sigh escaped her lips as she watched the strange creatures make the toys. She then felt a cold front from her side which caused her to turn her head to the side to only see Jack. A smile creped on her features as she saw him.

"Hey," he said softly. "What were you and North talking about?"
"Nothing important," she lied through her teeth, yet it seems that Jack isn't buying her lie.
"Oh," he nodded. "I went out to make sure Pitch wasn't there. Tooth and Bunny are out looking for him. You didn't have a nightmare after I left, right?"
"Nope," she said and turned her attention to the toys.
Jack could feel the tension in the air looming over them so he just shook his head, and in the blink of an eye he was gone. She didn't turn her head to see him leaving but could hear a window being slammed shut. The sound causes her heart to break softly, but she just ignores it.

She removed herself from the railing and walked down the staircase, then stands on the toy factory floor. The bright colors painting on the toys cause a smile to break out on her face. She walked over to a Yeti painting a train blue and North walked behind him.

"I don't like it, paint it red," North said sternly and the Yeti just groaned loudly.

Dahlia only giggled at the sight and then her laugh is cut short when she felt a cold shiver down her spine. It isn't like Jack's shiver, no, this is far worse. Her hand went to her shoulder hoping to find Jack's hand but nothing is there. Hoping to get over the shiver she felt, she walked toward the large globe with some lights in the continents. She moved closer to the globe but quickly took a step back when a light right in front of her eyes busted. Once her heart rate returned to normal she walked over to the brightly covered globe but another light to her side busted, causing her to flinch.

North must have heard the busting because he was right by her side. His massive finger traced the broken light and a frown appeared on his face.

"Oh no," he whispered causing Dahlia to gaze up at him.
"What?" She questioned as she returned her eyes to the broken two lights.
North sighed loudly, placing his hand onto the broken light while covering up some lit lights. "It means a child has stopped believing in me…"

Dahlia's eyes widen at his words and her heart sank for a moment. No. That cannot happen! Why did they stop? Then, she gasped loudly when another broke right under North's hand. The spirit growled and looked around, as if he knew something was going on. Then, a dark cloud appeared around the globe causing the girl's heart to sink right into her chest. A malevolent laugh engulfed the factory causing the girl to grab onto North's arm for protection. Her head begins to feel light and her vision blurry from just seeing the black sand constricting the globe. The small elves hold their candy canes up in defense while the large Yetis are ready for a fight as well.

The black sand snakes its way to the top of the globe and a dark figure appeared at the top. The sight of Pitch caused the girl to whine in pain. The sight only brings back her horrible memories of the nightmares and the hole in the forest where her fear almost took control of her. Pitch peered down at North with a smirk and then over to the cowering girl beside him, causing his smirk to grow greater.

"Ah, North," Pitch said slowly and his voice caused the a cold shiver down her spine. "So nice to see you and of course you, young Dahlia."
Just hearing him say her name is enough for her to be sick, but she holds back. North placed his massive hand on her shoulder, pulling her to his side.

"What do you want Boogie?" North asked angrily and Pitch huffed at the name Boogie.
"Must we use name calling?" Pitch questioned and walked slowly over the globe, the sand following his every move. His dark hues narrowed at a light and the light suddenly busted because his sand constricted over it. "I hate that name."

North growled at the light being busted and gently pushed Dahlia to the side, pulling out his twin swords from his belt. He pointed one of them at the dark spirit.
"LEAVE NO!" He shouted. His voice even caused Dahlia to flinch, she's never heard him so mad before.

Pitch only chuckled at his threat and raised his hand to gaze at his grey fingers. "No," he said quietly and then narrowed at the Christmas spirit. "I don't think I will."
Then, the dark sand that was constricting the globe removed itself and molded into a black wave. The wave then crashed down onto the ground, engulfing North along with Dahlia and the others. The sand is thick and heavy, making her feel like she is drowning in her own fears. She managed to pull herself out of the black sand and cough loudly. Turning her head she saw the elves wiped out on the floor and the Yetis slowly standing up. North managed to block the crash by stabbing his swords into the wooden floor.

Dahlia turned her head only to see Pitch right in front of her. "Gotcha!"
His grey fingers wrapped around her thick brown hair causing her to scream in protest as he picked her up, holding her close to him. His other hand is wrapped around her shoulders to make sure she won't break from his grip.
North gasped at the sight and advanced toward Pitch with his swords. Dahlia watched as Pitch saw a sword himself out of black sand but instead of pointing it at North, he pointed the tip at Dahlia's neck. North froze in is steps at the sight.

Pitch only tsked at North as he held Dahlia's hair tightly while pointing the sword at her neck. "Now North, would you really want me to hurt a believer?" The sword's tip presses against her neck causing her to whine softly in pain.
"STOP!" North shouted.
Pitch stopped his motive, "Only if you don't deliver presents. "
North's eyes widen and growled, "NEVER! I must for the children!"

Pitch only laughed at his comment and shook his head, "Foolish old man. They will stop believing in you soon enough-" he stopped speaking when he saw a portal appear behind North.
Dahlia's eyes lit knowing it was Jack and the others returning.
Pitch must have known as well because he raised his hand to cause the black sand to gather in a wave once again. The three guardians appeared from the portal and all gasp at the sight of Pitch holding Dahlia by her curly brown hair. Jack growled, his pale fingers wrapped around the staff and advanced toward Pitch.

"JACK NO!" Dahlia shouted.
"Good night," Pitch said and lowered his hand quickly causing the black sand to crash down on all four guardians and then sand engulfed Dahlia and Pitch. Her vision turns to darkness but she could hear Jack desperately calling her name, she tried to answer but the sand just covered her mouth until all she felt was darkness.