Please please PLEASE don't hate me! I know I promised a world of updates and I swear I will try to continue updating but this summer has just been absolute HELL for me. Working, family stuff, working on my novels which I'm so frikking excited to announce is almost HALFWAY done! Yay me! I know you guys wanted more Lilly and I do too but all things must come in due course.

I'll try to get more up soon, and hopefully we'll get to see our familiar curly-haired angel again! But, for long, toodles and thanks for all the fish.

"I should get hurt like this more often," I told Tooth as she handed me another bowl of soup daintily, careful not to spill all over my black covers. "Now that you're here I've got people to pamper me night and day!"

The fairy who was sitting on the bed beside me swatted me on the arm. "I knew it," she accused, snatching the soup back, ignoring my cry of protest. "You are totally milking this for all it's worth, aren't you?"

"Hey!"

"Aren't you?"

I sighed, throwing myself back onto the floofy pillows in a dramatic huff. "Well duh." I snarked at her, in my favorite snarky voice and added in a few good gestures for emphasis. "What kind of teenager would I be if I let perfectly good servants go to waste?"

"S-servants?"

Tooth's eyebrows were hovering somewhere around her hairline and, dramatic little shite that I am, I had to keep going. "Would you prefer slaves?" I asked innocently, reaching for the soup again. She let me have it, rolling her eyes in disgust.

"You've been spending too much time around Pitch." Tooth told me decidedly, turning away to straighten my blankets and pick up some books. "Servants. Honestly."

"Mmm, wha else r'parents suppose'ta be?" I mumbled through a mouthful of soup. Bacon potato. One of many she'd made over the week I'd been 'bed-ridden' and the best thus far for sure.

The bacon was stewed in milk and potatoes, simmered for hours and seasoned with pepper and some super secret Indian spice blend that most likely would've killed a normal human, but it was good. I shoveled spoonful after spoonful, elated by the taste of good food and desperate to fix the one bad symptom of my memory-lapse, besides the lapse itself: my constant feeling of hunger.

"Parents are just slaves for their children until they grow old enough to have children of their own." The hot liquid poured down my throat, bringing a real smile back to my lips and I handed her the now empty bowl, smirking as she looked aghast at its emptiness. "Good stuff by the way."

Tooth's gaze flicked back and forth between my face and the void that inhabited the bowl. "Did you even taste it?!"

"Of course I did." I could feel a small smidgen of food lurking in the corner of my mouth and wiped it away with the back of my hand before continuing. "And it was delicious. Could I possibly get another?" Her response was to chuck a discarded pillow at my head. "Alright alright fine," I grumbled, pushing the covers back. "My legs are going numb anyway."

"You really should let Pitch know you're alright," my adoptive mother chastised, watching me as I moved to the wider section of the room to stretch out the limbs that had been stuck in the same position practically all week. "He worries so much for you."

I almost fell over trying to stand on one foot, my attention split between her speaking and trying to maintain balance. "Yeah, I guess." Was my vague reply. The truth was, Pitch pretty much knew I was physically alright. Sure, I couldn't really stand upright for long periods of time and I still had that empty pit in my stomach that I couldn't seem to fill no matter how much I stuffed myself, but that was to be expected after a week lying flat on my back. He was more worried about my mental state- which isn't very good on a good day.

We'd already established I couldn't remember much of those missing two weeks where apparently I'd changed into a wolf and been the house pet/guard dog/charity case for some winged girl that sounded like a dark angel. For once I was being honest with Pitch. I could remember literally almost nothing about the experience. Vague flashes of dark and light, shadows, sun and green grass. Some ticking sounds. But that was all. I couldn't even summon up my rescuer's face and that pissed me off more than I can say, but I got over it swiftly.

Wherever I'd been, I knew I'd been well-cared for. Tooth looked me over twice and found no obvious wounds, and those she did find were healed. Skillfully. There were bandage marks and everything. It relieved me- to an extent. If I'd been well cared for, it meant whoever had been caring for me had been kind. I assume it had been the winged girl, but I can't prove it. Because I don't remember.

Pitch won't let me go out and find her, yet. I think once I stop the plaintive patient act, and show him I'm capable of moving around on my own and existing outside of that insufferable china-doll syndrome, he might be more inclined. And I really do want to find her. My dreams don't tell me anything- which is a relief in and of itself. Just mindless nonsense. Shadows and fragments of annoying mismatched memories that might not be mine. But they might be. I don't know.

"Is there anything else you need dear?" Tooth asked, shaking me out of my own backwards thoughts. I looked up into her pale, warm face and shook my head.

"No. Not unless you can convince Pitch to let me out early." And I knew there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell of that happening.

"No, I'm sorry dear." Tooth shook her head and she did sound truly regretful. "But you know Pitch. He's not going to let you out of that bed until he's absolutely sure you're alright and no amount of my asking him is going to change that."

I felt the cold wall press against my back, sighing contentedly at the relief. "Yeah, kinda saw that coming. He's been pretty much set in his ways since I started getting into trouble. Since I got here, really." A sudden thought struck me. "Hey, do you think him getting laid might make him ease up on me a little?"

Tooth erupted in a small choking fit and I waited patiently while she cleared her throat enough to speak. When she looked up, her face was pleasingly flushed. "What...on earth..." She began, seeming to be exceedingly puzzled at my suggestion. Then another cough caused her to break off her sentence. "Meggie," she tried again. "What on earth makes you think Pitch..."

"Getting laid." I prompted, watching with glee as her face grew redder. Good gods, if she gets even redder she's going to pass out.

Tooth cleared her throat again, clearly uncomfortable with the situation but, kudos to her, she forged on resolutely anyway. "Yes, that. What on earth makes you think that will make Pitch be less over-protective of you?"

I rolled my shoulders. "Hey, you never know. Getting laid is pretty therapeutic. Not that I know," I added hastily as Tooth's eyebrows rose even further. She settled back into her seat, looking relieved. That irked me and I added under my breath convulsively, "Yet."

From that point on Tooth seemed to have had enough of my shenanigans. She pinched the bridge of her nose, rolled her amethyst eyes and mumbled something about 'Insane teenagers'. But when she brought her hand away, there was a smile playing around her lips. "You're such a character Meggie," the fairy murmured, fondly reaching forward and ruffling my hair. "I think that, once you're able to meet them, you'll fit in just fine with the rest of our family."

I leaned in to her touch, my body responding almost automatically by growing warm and the tiny hairs on my arms tingling. "Thanks Tooth," I murmured, my eyes slipping shut as she embraced me in that loving, non-judgmental way only a mother can manage while still making me feel like I was hugging a best friend. "I hope so too."

Patting my back to signal the end of the hug, Tooth pulled away and kissed my forehead. "I love you sweetheart. But I need to get back to the Palace. Do you think you can manage alone here for a few hours until Pitch gets back?"

I tried to look insulted but the tingly sensations had me feeling just a bit too good to make that kind of facial expression. So I settled for nodding resignedly. "Yeah Tooth, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" She insisted and the wrinkles on her brow. "If you don't feel up to it I can get some of the girls to stay with you. Or the Nightmares-"

"Tooth," I interrupted and now I was struggling not to smirk. Who was being over-protective now eh? "I'll be fine. You go on back to the Palace. Tell Baby Tooth I said hi."

She watched me carefully for a few moments, seemingly trying to either look into my soul- of which I'm 90% sure I don't have, or having something in her eye that she was trying to blink out. Either way, I waited patiently and after several long seconds she broke eye contact and nodded. "Alright," Tooth relented. "Alright, I'm going. But you need to promise you won't go out and do something stupid, OK?"

I put on my best innocent expression, complete with big eyes and a set of pouty lips that would make a playboy cover jealous. "Stupid, me? Perish the thought."

Tooth didn't look too reassured and I let the joke-face drop.

"Really Tooth, I'll be fine." I told her seriously and found that the words escaping my lips invoked emotions that were equal parts elation and concern. I was glad that she was seriously thinking about my safety, as it showed that even if I hadn't trusted her before I sure could now. But I was also concerned that apparently she too thought I was incapable of being left alone or taking care of myself. "I'll just sit here and relax for a bit, maybe read, maybe write some. Pitch'll be home before I know it." This little attempt at convincing her was followed up with a placid smile and, against all odds, she seemed to believe it.

Her body-language relaxed, the tension holding her shoulders up fell away and her lips parted in a smile that stretched almost all the way to the corners of her eyes and revealed gleaming white chompers. "Good girl. It really should only be a few hours. Dawn's about four or five hours away and he's usually home by then." She stood up, stretched and headed for the door. When she reached it, of course the mother in her required a few parting words. "If you need anything don't hesitate to send one of the Nightmares to the Palace. I'm never too busy for you."

She had no idea how much my heart swelled when I heard those words. But, being the selfish little twit I am I chose to just keep it all bottled up inside. It wouldn't do to have me fall to pieces, especially when the general consensus was that I couldn't control myself emotionally anyway. So I held back the tears, the words and the heart-wrenching thank-yous that were just begging to spill out. I simply gave her a small smile in return, nodded, and said, "I appreciate that Tooth."

The Tooth fairy beamed. "And I appreciate you sweetie. You rest easy now."

I nodded in affirmation and she was gone in a flicker of rainbow and humming, leaving me to my own devices.

There was a small, round mirror hanging on the wall just above the dresser on the right side of the room and, spontaneously, I turned and smiled at it. "Well, that went well. Don't you think?"

I was so starved of other company I half-expected the reflection to wink and talk back to me. It didn't, of course. That would've been weird. Chuckling, I laid back down and stared up at the ceiling. My hands laced together, resting on my stomach and for the first time since I regained consciousness, I felt like I was able to take a step back and breathe.

Oddly enough, I had been telling Tooth the truth when I told her I hadn't wanted to leave my room. So much had been happening in the past few weeks that I hadn't even had time to really take it all in. The pampering was nice and all, and I absolutely loved all the sleep I was able to get! And yet... now that I was alone with my thoughts and nothing else to keep my occupied, it occurred to me just how scary my whole ordeal had been. Even if I couldn't remember it.

"Especially since I can't remember it," I corrected myself. Yeah, that's really going to screw with me for a while. "On the one hand, I know she treated me well. I just don't remember why. Or who she is, and it's really pissing me off." Not as much as my own stupidity, though.

I rolled over, hiding my face in my pillow as the memories of my arrogance re-surfaced. Ugh. The banter with the Pyreans, losing control, my utter disregard. It made me sick.

Well, it is fair turn kiddo. The little voice told me, piping up yet again. Maybe you're finally starting to learn that there are consequences of your actions, and not just ones that Pitch gives you like staying in your room. You could've died out there.

"Don't remind me." I grumbled, pushing my face even deeper into the plush. "I already feel guilty enough about it, no need to rub it in Jiminy."

Don't call me that. I'm not your conscience, I'm the sane part of you that tries-

"And usually fails,"

-to keep you safe. And it's not the easiest of jobs, so I think a little appreciation for me might be in order, don't you?

I would've rolled my eyes, but they were pressed too firmly into the pattern of the pillow. Firm enough to leave an imprint on my eyeballs, actually. So I settled for a low, guttural growl. "Yeah yeah, thank you. I don't remember much past picking a fight with the Pyreans, so for all I know you could've goaded me into it."

It didn't even dignify the accusation with a response.

Rolling back onto my side, I stared with mild disinterest at the wall again while my mind raced. Physically, I was just too exhausted from doing nothing to affect any kind of movement. Everything else in me was alive with the spark of curiosity and, after mulling them over I asked, "I wonder if Pitch would let me go find her."

The answer was no, of course. I didn't even have to think on that. At least, it would be for a while. Until I proved to him that I could be responsible and take care of myself. The next question that came to mind was a bit more perplexing.

"I mean, I've only been gone for a few weeks. Margaret knows that I like to disappear for long periods of time. She doesn't really like it, but that's just how it is." So going two whole weeks without contact probably hadn't concerned her. Probably. Jamie on the other hand... "Ooh, right. Jamie. Yeah, he's not used to my disappearing acts. Shit. I'd better go let him know I'm OK." I was halfway off my bed before I remembered my promise to Tooth and it took all I had not to face-palm. "Damn. See," I told the little voice. "This is what I get for promising to do good stuff! And it's exactly why I don't."

You have... an extremely twisted version of logic, child.

"Meh. I'm a practically immortal teen. You get what you get." I was more concerned about the kid thinking I'd abandoned him. If Jamie, or any of the others for that matter, thought I was gonna be a no-show, they might lose their belief in other spirits. And what with Jamie's belief already teetering on the edge, I couldn't afford to have any of the others following in his footsteps. I tried to think of solutions, I really did! But I kept coming back to the same problem.

Tooth trusted me. And, while I was pretty flexible where morality was concerned, she was the only one I had met thus far whom I knew I would never be able to look in the eyes again if I lied to her. Pitch, him I was OK lying to, but not Tooth. She was just... too Tooth-y.

My head was starting to hurt. Every moment I agonized over this I was pretty sure was stressing a year off my immortality. Resting my forehead against the pleasantly cool rockface provided only temporary relief. "Ugh, if only there was a way for me to stay here and go talk to Jamie! A method that fulfills both my promise to Tooth and my moral obligation to Jamie! Agh, think Megs, think! Use that brain you stole from the lab!"

Did you just...

"Yeah. Sorry. I guess I'm even more mentally messed-up than I thought."

All the best people are, shadowcat.

As if the voice speaking to me from the pool of darkness cast by the candle resting on my bedside wasn't startling enough, the owner of the voice suddenly decided to erupt out of the floor, scaring the crap out of me in the process. I scrambled backward automatically and my heart rate sped up. But when my mind registered who the owner was, I was able to relax a bit.

"Hey there Pony-girl." She let me rest my face against her neck, which was as close to a hug as we could get. "What brings you to these parts?"

Onyx pulled her head back just enough to give me the deadest of deadpans. I live here, remember?

I took a swipe at her haunch but she side-stepped gracefully. "I mean besides that you dozy horse. I haven't seen you for weeks! Why're you just showing up now?"

The obsidian mare tossed her head, clearly miffed with my apparent stupidity. I'm choosing to ignore the obvious answer, because I know you're just trying to bait me. She began, glaring down her nose at me. But, contrary to your belief, all I do around here is not just skulk in the caves and provide sarcastic comments. I was actually working the past month.

She seemed a little tense on the topic and, momentarily at least, I forgot about my own woes. "What's wrong Onyx? Is Pitch losing believers?"

Oh no, no pet, nothing like that. She assured me. It's just that we're getting a lot more nightmares per night than I'm used to handling. I've had to re-organize the scheduling systems between the different battalions, make sure we don't have too many mares out at once, regulate their fear intake and, now that Pitch is devoting most of his time to you, I'm stuck with the feeding scheduled and sleep rounds too!

Each complaint issuing from her non-moving lips caused me to wince and by the time she finally finished her mini-rant, I was practically curled up into a meek, guilty little ball. "Is it that bad?"

Onyx sighed and the exhale of air caused her lips to flap comically. It's nothing I can't handle shadowcat, she told me, bringing her huge head forward and resting its ridge against my brow. This was Onyx's favorite way of telling me she cared about me. And it's not your fault, OK? You are not singularly responsible for every catastrophe that befalls this planet.

"So it is a catastrophe!"

Onyx nipped my hairline chidingly. Don't be a twerp. If it was a catastrophe, I assure you I'd be able to handle it. Then the seriousness returned to her tone. I'm more worried about you, kiddo. It's no picnic to lose two weeks of your memory.

"So...you heard about that then?" Bugger. I was hoping to avoid that avenue of conversation entirely but that, it seemed, was not in the cards.

Of course I heard. I helped Pitch bring you back here to your room. She looked me up and down thoughtfully. I could see the gears turning in her head, gauging my mood, temperament, body-language and whatever else she could use to see if I was alright before she formulated her next question. How're you holding up?

Finally! I grinned and it was all I had not to shout hallelujah! An open-ended question I can work with! "Honestly?"

Honestly.

I shrugged. "I've been better, but I've also been worse. My body's healing fine from...whatever happened to me before I lost that two weeks." Thinking of the scars I'd received as a parting gift from my mysterious two weeks made me want to check a mirror, to see if that massive hand-shaped burn mark on my cheek was still there.

I must've actually raised my hand to my face without realizing it because Onyx leaned closer and nuzzled my cheek. The outside scars might've healed pet, she told me quietly, running her cold nose over my skin. A shiver crawled up my back and rested cold, clammy tendrils on the very tips of my shoulder blades, forcing me to keep them level. But you never know when the rest is healed if you can't recall ever being hurt.

The situation was getting just a bit too serious for my liking, so a joke automatically came to my rescue. "So you're a philosopher as well as a pack-mule?" I quipped and rolled to the side to dodge another nip.

It is inadvisable to sass your salvation. Onyx told me seriously. Especially since you're resorted to asking yourself for advice.

I wanted to tell her that I was, in fact, talking to an actual person residing inside my head- or so my theory was leading me to believe. Then I thought, nah. Too much explanation.

Luckily for you, I might have a solution to your problem.

My heart leaped. "Really? What is it? Some magical teleportation thingamabob that can get me back and forth, to Jamie's house and right back here in seconds?"

No.

"Oh, oh, is it a doohicky? Some time-stop hoojimawhatzit that halts the flow of time so that they don't even know I'm gone? Is it a Golem that will take my place for a few hours?"

No and no. Honestly child, Onyx glared down her nose at me. You're a bloody Changeling! One of the strongest spirit in the realm, and the adoptive daughter of the Boogeyman! You have magical powers beyond comprehension that can bend reality and put the world as your fingertips!

"So..." I ventured uncertainly. "You're telling me to use my magic?"

Onyx looked so utterly done at this point that, looking back on it, I'm pretty impressed she didn't walk out right then and there. She tossed her head, stomped her hoof and grumbled- more to herself than anything, You cannot possibly be this thick!

"I can possibly be this thick." I countered. "Spell it out, my little nightmare. I'm not in the mood for guessing games. Is there a way for me to duplicate myself, leaving another me behind in my place?" Wait, is that an oxymoron?

You could do that, Onyx admitted. Of course it would take an awful lot of time and energy just to master the power of form-making. You could make an astral projection of yourself, but those can't speak. Not to mention they take plenty of concentration and practice.

"How much concentration and practice?"

More than you can afford dear, trust me.

Oh for the love of-! I threw up my hands in disgust, quite literally done with this beating-around-the-bushery. "Then what do you suggest I do, oh great and powerful pony? I bow to your superior intelligence." Great sarcasm followed this line and I decided to top the notch by giving a greatly exaggerated bow that almost made me topple over.

Are you finished?

I coughed, straightening up with as much dignity as I could. "Yes. Yes I am."

Good. Now, as I was saying, you could try those methods. You wouldn't be able to succeed in time though. Not without paying a heavy price, at least. And I don't think your body can handle that kind of debt.

"What kind of debt?" I asked, purely out of curiosity.

Onyx looked me dead in the eyes while she answered. I'm sure Pitch has told you, and if he hasn't I'm going to kick him where the sun doesn't shine for even letting you out of the caves without that knowledge, here she cast a smouldering look towards the door. That, should you use too much of your magic at one time, you have a very strong chance of spontaneously combustion.

"Spontaneous WHAT?!"

I'll take that as a no. Well, there's one thing I can put on my agenda that will make me happy. Onyx said, snorting happily.

"Never mind that!" I snapped. "Just tell me what I can do that isn't going to make me spontaneously combust! We're losing a lot of time here!" Why was she taking to long to actually tell me? I looked at her face, trying to catch the minutest detail that might tell me she was lying or mocking me. It was a lot harder than I expected. Her eyes were the only part I could see that divulged any real information and most of that was hidden behind a placid stare. I was starting to think that there wasn't a non combustion-causing method.

There is one method I can think of which will allow you to fulfill your promise to Tooth, as well as speak with Jamie. Onyx continued, ignoring my rudeness. It is a relatively new method. Hardly any spirits use it and those that do are seasoned practitioners. It takes a lot of talent just to lean how to navigate it but once you do, the possibilities are limitless.

Ooh boy, this is sounding better and better by the minute! "What is it what is it what is it?! Seven league boots? A broomstick? A personal dimension-shifter, WHAT?!" I was practically vibrating with excitement. The chance to try out some new magic, unsupervised?! Agh! It was better than I could've hoped for!

Onyx cackled. Goodness child, calm down before you explode! I look the liberty of picking it up for you, she told me. Hold out your hand.

I did so and it was shaking so bad I had to use my other hand to hold it steady. Onyx leaned in and opened her mouth, letting a small, crumpled up piece of paper roll into my palm. I clutched the ball of paper like it was a magic ring, or something, hoping against hope for a spell or incantation to be written inside. "It's a spell, isn't it?" I asked her, grinning. "It's gotta be a spell. Something that uses its own power so that I don't go boom?"

Just open it up.

I nodded, my fingers fumbling to unwind the intricate folds and slightly sandy edges until a small, slightly rumpled note was lying in my palm. I recognized it as Pitch's handwriting immediately from those training notes, but this wasn't his usual slap-dash scribbling. It was only two words and a set of numbers, written in the center in careful, clear script.

"Last Light...6644?" Wait, didn't Pitch tell me that reading mysterious words aloud wasn't OK? "Oops. Should I... not have read that?"

Don't be ridiculous. She replied, scratching the ground with her right back hoof. I gave it to you for a reason. I wouldn't have even mentioned it to you, had I not intended you to use it.

I glanced at the paper again. "What...does it do?"

I swear if horses could raise eyebrows... Please sweetheart, please tell me you're not serious.

"I am serious!" I insisted, brandishing the paper aloft. "What the heck is this? A spell? A chant?" I truly had no clue.

Onyx rolled her eyes and when she spoke, she sounded absolutely disgusted. See, this! THIS is why spirits don't last as long as they used to! She told me. This is precisely why. Because they can't seem to think of answers or solutions to ANYTHING that don't involve magic! You are living in the 21st century, for pity's sake child! I could understand you not thinking about it if you lived in the 1600's or even in the late 1800's, but this is the age of the machine!

It was when she started to rant that I knew I'd really screwed something up. Onyx...didn't...rant. She grumbled, she whined, she huffed even, but she didn't rant. If she was anything like her master, then the best course of action seemed to just stay quiet and let her finish.

Pitch was always like this too you know, the horse told me, stepping agitatedly back and forth, lifting her hooves up and down, slamming them against the ground. Boy, she was really pissed off now. Not at me, thankfully, but she was still pissed off at something. He abhorred using technology, all spirits do! And it's stupid! Why travel all across the globe when a simple phone call will do?!

"What does that have to do with…?" I held the paper up hesitantly.

She heaved a mighty sigh and the long strands of whispy smoke curling off her neck shook violently as she bemoaned my stupidity. Look at it, Meggie. What does it look like to you? You've been around for a while, you're used the internet, please tell me you recognize a skype username when you see it!

I looked at the paper again. The name did ring a bell. A really, really small bell. "Skype? Is that like google?" The murderous look I got in response told me no, it was not like google. Well how was I to know?! The most I'd done on the internet was search myself and play youtube songs!

Onyx rolled her eyes. I should've expected as much. Even the smartest spirits are sometimes the blindest.

"Hey!"

Sorry, shadowcat, sorry. Onyx nuzzled my shoulder apologetically and I patted her neck to let her know it was OK. In truth, I was more shocked that she called me one of the smartest spirits than anything. But it really is maddening sometimes.

I continued stroking her neck and the bridge of her nose, hoping it would calm her down while I spoke. Though she might talk, act, and reason like a human, her instincts were still animal. "I know, Onyx. Believe me, I know how stupid people can be sometimes. But, for the sake of both our sanities, how about you just take pity on a blind girl and explain. Hm?" I tried to look her in the eyes but apparently my patting her neck was more relaxing to the horse than I had anticipated.

Onyx wavered when I took my hand away from her throat, her eyes still shut and her breathing was slow. Then, all of a sudden, as if someone had pinched her, She jerked and golden eyes sapped back to life.

You're right, you're right I'm sorry Meggie. She apologized again, shaking her head a few times to clear it before settling back down to explain. When Pitch was...well...let's say for lack of a better word wallowing in self pity, he holed himself up here for a few months with nothing but a computer. He used it every day, checking on... things... She shifted awkwardly. The others got worried and asked someone to keep an eye on him, but since they were all so busy and he was closest-

"Jamie got boogeyman-sitting duty." I finished. "I see. So this is the skype username that Jamie has?"

Righto.

It was curling in my palm the longer I held it. Soon the ink would run with my sweat. "Well that's all very well and good Onyx, but why would I need it?"

Onyx was far beyond eye-rolling at this point. She just wanted to get this conversation over-with and go back to her regularly scheduled duties. You'll need it to find Jamie online, so that you can talk with him through skype. THAT way you don't break your promise, and Jamie knows you're safe!

Finally, it struck me. I clapped the hand with the piece of paper in it to my forehead. "Oh my gods, so that's it! Skype's a video-chatting thing!" NOW I remembered why it sounded familiar! Margaret mentioned the name a few times when talking about her friends across seas. They used skype to talk online but could never find a time where all of them could be on at once because of timezone differences! Ha. That always was a pain in the ass, wasn't it?

"Wait what?"

I didn't say anything.

"Not you, sorry. I was talking to myself."

Onyx's eyebrows furrowed. Meggie, are you Ok?

I was fine. Ish. I mean physically of course I've been better but mentally... I was getting close to a colossal train wreck. "It's nothing," I assured Onyx, getting up and hugging her. Anything to re-direct her thoughts and my own away from my momentary slip-up. "Thank you, thank you so much for this. You were right I was blind, but now I get it. I totally get it. Thank you."

Onyx rested her head against my shoulder hesitantly. Then, as I started to run my hand down her back she relaxed. Of course Meggie. It's no less than I would do for anyone else.

"Still..." I was really feeling that appreciation now and every word I spoke was truth. "Thank you."

Onyx suggested we take a trip to Pitch's room and steal his computer- temporarily. Which she called borrowing, and I was completely alright with that. After a few weeks of lying in bed and barely getting the chance to walk, my legs were definitely not what they used to be but Onyx refused to carry me. She claimed it was enabling laziness and that it would help get my strength back if I walked.

After much whining, I agreed and together we headed to the Boogeyman's room and picked up his obsidian computer. Being stuck in my room was also starting to give me cabin fever, so we mutually decided to take this little skype session into the living room. Thankfully, once I opened the slab of plastic and circuits up and got skype running, I found Jamie already online.

Hey kiddo, guess who?

His response felt like it took forever, even though it was one word. Pitch?

A wicked grin split my face and I clicked the video call button. He accepted the call and the computer began to hum and whir as processors went to work, calling up the live video-feed of Jamie and another box in the corner of me that was curiously blank.

The kid looked better-rested than last I'd seen him. The bags beneath his eyes had vanished and a small, hopeful smile was playing around his lips. As soon as his face appeared on-screen, I waved.

"Hiya Jamie! Good to see you again."

I was not prepared in the least for what happened next. Jamie frowned, innocent enough, but then he started to speak and I swear my eardrums both popped at the same time. "Meggie?" The noise was deafening, and worse, it was everywhere! All around me! A sick wraith of Jamie's voice, echoing off the walls.

"Fudging H Cripes!" I clapped my hand over my ears, wincing. "Onyx, fix it!"

In retrospect, this was a very very stupid thing to say. A horse's hearing is far superior to a human's, even a magical one- especially a magical one. Which means that whatever pain I was experiencing from hearing Jamie's voice, Onyx was feeling it tenfold. She wasn't on her side or neighing in agony, but it had most certainly startled her.

I can't fix it! I don't know what's wrong!

"I know I'm sorry!"

"What's going on?" Jamie asked and I swear I almost passed out right then and there.

"Jamie, for the love of all that is and my eardrums, don't speak!" I begged him. "There's either a bunch of speakers hidden somewhere that the computer's hooked up to, or there's one big speaker and I can't find it either. No, don't answer! The best thing you can do is stay quiet and let me figure out what's going on."

The boy actually did open his mouth to respond, then thought better of it. He nodded and did some wacky signals with his hands that I neither understood nor had the time to think about.

"Probably sign," I muttered to myself as my fingers flew over the computer volume dials, adjusting for whatever needed be done but when I had Jamie make a noise after a few minutes fiddling, nothing had changed. "Dammit! Let me try and find those wires. Maybe if we unplug them manually..."

Well, the other one did say she set up speakers while Pitch was away. I never saw her or anyone sneaking into the caves and, at first neither Pitch or I believed that she actually had done it, but the sounds sure convinced me they were real.

"And, if they're real, then there's got to be a real hook-up or motherboard or something, something to shut these off!" I was up and tearing through the living room like a cyclone in only a few seconds. Onyx followed my lead, trying to help but there wasn't a whole lot she could do without opposible thumbs. She just nudged things aside for me and helped move stuff until I found what I was looking for.

It was small, and hidden away very well. I would quite honestly say I lucked out when I tripped over the wire that led to the black box hooked up in the corner, by the couch. I picked it up, wondering what it was at first. Then the wires leading from it caught my attention and I followed them up to speakers which were indeed hooked up all around the room. I didn't take them down, per-se, but I did turn the max volume down by 50% and braced myself.

"Go ahead Jamie, say something. Onyx, if you wanna save your ears, now's the time to run."

Onyx pawed the ground nervously. Nah, I'm good here. I wanna see how this goes.

"Uhh, hello? Is everything OK?" Jamie's voice issued from the empty air at a thankfully managable level and we shared smiled.

"Everything's fine kiddo, we're back online. Just gimmie a second to put this gadget back and I'll be right with you!" Stowing it back in its' place and re-arranging the wires until they blended back into the rock and shadows was easy enough. When I walked back around the couch and sat down to face the screen, I saw Jamie beaming.

"Hey Meggie, long time no see!"

"Indeed. And I'm sorry about that, I was unavoidably detained. How've you been kiddo? Keeping up on your schoolwork and stuff?"

Jamie winced.

"Kid..."

"It's just a science essay!" He defended, shoulders hunched as I frowned with disappointment. "Nothing major, prepare a simple compound! I can do it in the morning tomorrow!"

"Wait... isn't tomorrow Saturday?"

I swear his eyes lit up like the Queen's jubilee. Jamie leaped up from his computer chair and began to cavort all around his room, giggling and cheering. "Woohoo, weekend! Ye-US! More time for my video games!"

Onyx chuckled. Kids. No matter what age they're in they all just want to have fun.

Jamie stopped dancing at the sound of that word and sped back to the monitor, looking excited and slightly worried. "Hey, speaking of fun. You haven't seen Jack around have you? It's been a while since I've seen or talked to him. Is there something going on in the spirit world? Some big party? Is that why I haven't heard from anybody?"

I shrugged. "Not that I know of kiddo, I've been unconscious and then confined to solitary in my room for the past month or so. Pitch and Tooth had been keeping an eye on me, but I haven't seen or heard of any Jack."

Poor kid looked so disappointing and I hoped he hadn't been paying close enough attention to catch what I had said. I really should've known better. The kid was sharp as a tack and caught it instantly as I saw the look of disappointment shift to one of worry.

"Unconsious? Solitary? Why were you confined to solitary? Are you alright did something happen to you? Did some other spirits pick on you?" And suddenly he was off, rambling a-mile-a-minute, asking questions so fast that all I could catch were a few detached words.

I raised my hands, hoping to quench this worry as fast as possible. The last thing I needed was Jamie refusing to help me gain more strength in my powers because HE thought I was a china doll too! "Hey hey kiddo, slow down a bit! I'm perfectly alright," I did a little twirl to show him the predominant lack of scars and wounds that had once visited my skin. "See? I just had a nasty run-in with some fire spirits and had to take some time-off to recuperate. Nothing big, nothing major. I just over-extended myself a bit and I'm calling now to let you and Cupcake and the others know that I'm alright."

He still didn't look too assured, but my story seemed to be believable enough to not be questioned. Jamie nodded. "Well, OK. If you're really fine."

I didn't think it would be smart, in my present condition, to attempt a Change, so I settled for a flashy twist that sent my body spinning back towards the couch. I hit the corner hard enough to knock a good portion of the wind out of me, but Jamie was still watching to I put on a brave face and held up my hands. "Ta-da! See? Fit as a fiddle."

The smile on his face as I dropped onto the couch was enough to draw a smile back on my face. "So, what's up with you kiddo?"

We chatted for a bit, mostly keeping the conversation centered on Jamie; Jamie's school life, the other kids, how they were doing, how his sister was, things like that. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to say on the matters. I was just too tired to summon up any concrete answers in the rare times when we did talk about me.

How was I doing? Fine. How were Tooth and Pitch? Great. Was I keeping up on my practices? No. had I discovered anything new? No, apart from the wires.

In the end, Jamie stopped asking me questions and began relaying stories to me about the past weeks. Some funny, some sad. But it passed the time until a muffled voice called form downstairs and Jamie said he had to go get dinner. I told him that was Ok, that I had stuff to do as well- which was a lie, but I didn't really care. Moving and running around was really taking a toll on me, cutting off my breath into short bursts. My chest ached and Onyx could tell very well what was going on, but thankfully she stayed silent until we signed off.

You really shouldn't be doing this to yourself, she told me reproachfully.

I glanced up and made a pitiful attempt to play dumb. "Hm? What's that Onyx?"

She stomped an impatient hoof. Don't give me that, you can barely breathe! You're going back in your room and resting for a few more hours!

"Onyx, come on be reasonable!"

I am being reasonable! Stand up!

I did, for about five seconds before an over-whelming dizziness washed over me and sent me crumbling down. Onyx looked on with a self-satisfied smirk. "Yeah yeah, laugh it up you dozy horse." I grouched, folding my arms across my chest. Why did I always have to end up looking stupid or in the wrong? "But if I can't stand there's no way I'm getting back to my room. So I guess I'm just stuck here."

I guess so, Onyx conceded. There's a blanket and pillows over here if you need and I can get you a book to pass the time, or do you want to just sleep?

Haha, revenge! Now it was MY turn to be the smart one! "Sleep? Are you kidding me? I've got the Boogeyman's laptop within arms' reach, with a wellspring of blackmail and potential blackmail at my fingertips, and you think I'm gonna go to sleep? Are you nuts?!"

Why do I feel like it was a bad idea to let you near that thing? Onyx asked, mostly to herself.

"Probably because it was." I replied, hauling the black monster up from its' table and onto my lap. "But its too late now! Mwuhahaha!"

Or it would've been, if I had been able to find anything useful on there.

"Are- are you serious?" I asked the computer, scrolling through the files for the umpteenth time. There was nothing. No incriminating or embarrassing pictures, no documents of self-pity or sensitive information. "What a bore. What a lame-ass waste of time. Well, in doubt, skim the internet!" And so I opened a browser. Firefox, of course. I was hoping for some online games or something- something totally mind-numbing like that balloons game Monty was so fond of, but before I could even type in the first letter a notification popped up on the screen.

Onyx was over at my side in a minute, looking over my shoulder. Just a notification on Faebook, she pronounced after a few minutes. Nothing to worry about.

"Faebook?" I repeated, keeping the little tab open by hovering over it with my mouse. "What's that?"

It's kind of like an online chatroom for spirits. She explained. Right after the invention of the internet, some such spirit got sick of communicating with other spirits via letters of magical means, so for the first time ever in history, they resorted to mortal means.

"Huh. So, spirits talk to one another on it? Like skype?"

Not exactly kiddo. It's more like they can send messages instantly. Like a quicker mailing service. Of course it quickly evolved to encompass much more than business. People have discussions, family members share photographs and stories, all sorts of stuff.

Hmm, interesting. "I didn't know spirits went for that kind of thing."

Well it's not all work you know. Like I said earlier this is the age of the machine and technology. And spirits have to keep with the times.

Keep up with the...*Gasp* Lightbulb! I wonder if a certain mysterious angel might be found on there...

"Hey Ooonyx, do you think Pitch would mind if I took a look at this...Faebook?" I asked innocently, my finger ready to hit the button. "I mean, if it's a site for communication with spirits but I'm not strong enough to actually meet them, what better way to learn more about them than this site?"

Onyx looked suspicious, and she had a total right to be. Well, I don't know. You would have to log in with Tooth or Pitch's ID. Fortunately for you I know both, I just don't know if he would be OK with it...

"Oh please Onyx?" I didn't like resorting to begging but desperate times and all... At least I put on a good show. Big, wide eyes, clasped hands and the incredibly effective wobbly lip that made Boogeyman cave and Tooth Fairies melt. "Pleeeeease? I'm just so bored, sitting here all day!"

The unimpressed look on her face was beyond hilarious. You've been sitting here for ten minutes.

"Oh you know what I mean!" I scowled. "Here, in this place! Cave-locked! It's driving me insane Onyx, I need something new, something interesting! Some interactions that don't involve over-protective parents, little kids of ponies!"

Hey! I resemble that remark! Onyx pawed the ground, thinking it over for a moment. Well, I suppose he wouldn't mind if you just took a look. But don't spend too much time on there, you need to rest.

I gave her a cheeky salute. "Yes ma'me!"

After making sure I was tucked up on the couch in a blanket cuccoon, safe and sound- lest I do something stupid and hurt myself more -or at least that's how Onyx put it, the horse left me to my own devices and I was free to peruse the magics of the interweb. And especially this so-called Faebook.

As it turned out, the site was pretty cool. The typefaces were a curly violet and white, matching the elegant lavender background. A big, bold legend across the top read: Faebook- your spiritual connection in an easily-legible script. There were tabs all over the place- a game tab, an archive for Pitch's pictures, one for conversations and a search bar. Leaping at the sight, I typed Angel into the search bar and spent a few minutes scrolling before realizing nothing was clicking with my sordid memories.

Hmm, what else? Angel with black wings? I tried it. Nah, still too vague. I tried searching all the keywords I could think of, but nothing turned up. Not a speck. No pictures, no messages between Pitch and her- that one was a long shot and I knew it, and just like I expected it didn't do any good.

"Dammit, I knew this was too easy!" I grumbled, tossing the mouse back on my lap in a huff. No angel, not even a trace. Maybe she didn't use this faebook thing. In which case, I would feel really stupid.

I was just about to call it a night and go to sleep like Onyx had recommended, but truth be told I really did want to check out some of the other spirits. Pitch had about sixty or seventy in his list, and a good portion of them were in the family section too. It showed that two of them were online: Someone named Micha and someone else named Nicholas St. North. The last name sounded familiar, so I didn't bother with it. But this Micha guy...maybe he could be an interesting conversation.

I started it out with something simple. Hey. And got a reply almost instantly.

Hey Pitch, haven't heard from you in a long time. What's happening across the pond?

I had to do a quick search on this Micha's page to see what he was talking about. Right, it says he lives in Britain. Big Ben, to be exact. What a weird place to live.

"Hmm, what do I say... Nothing much. I'm sorry I haven't been around lately, lots of work. Yeah, that works."

Same here. How's your family been? I heard you were thinking about adopting a kid spirit.

"Wait a minute..." From who? I was on the edge of my seat for the three long, agonizing seconds it took him to respond.

From Tooth. She stopped by the tower on her way home from work a few weeks ago to return a sample of my macrame and to get a few new patterns for her home.

OK, this was totally off-topic but I was curious. You knit?

I've told you before Pitch, it's not knitting. It's intricate knot-tying. You should try it sometime, it's very relaxing.

"Huh. Interesting pastime." I'm sure I'll get around to it eventually. I told him, smirking as my fingers flew over the keyboard. Unfortunately, I don't have time for idle chit-chat. I'm in search of someone. A spirit, one I haven't seen before and I was hoping you could point me in the right direction.

It felt like he took forever to read the message, even though it was short. But the reply I got made my heart soar. Of course, anything for you old man. What do they look like? Did you get a name?

No, I didn't. I admitted. But she was tall, very slender, with curly brown hair like a thicket. She wore almost all black and had a lot of weapons. Oh, and the wings. She had grayish black angel-wings.

Angel-wings? As in just two?

Yeah. Why? Ring a bell?

Not a lot of spirits have angel-wings, so my best bet is that you ran into Lilliana. She's the only one I know of that matches your description. But I've got to ask Pitch, what on earth were you doing around her? You know her powers are volatile around pain and suffering. I mean I know you're rehabilitated and all but... Here Micha's message ended.

Bloody hell, this was becoming more and more interesting. An angel named Lilliana who feeds on pain and suffering? Or is repulsed by it? "But...I was hurting. If she feeds on it, why was I fixed up? And if she's repulsed by it, why wasn't I brought back to Pitch sooner?"

I decided to ask Micha. Listen, I don't want this getting around but you remember that spirit I was thinking about adopting? I did. Her name is Meggie and she's the most precious thing in the world to me. Apart from Tooth, of course. She's a wonderful, beautiful child with a lot of talent, but she's also a little... Was foolhardy the word? Reckless? Stupid? Adventurous.

Go on.

Well, she went out exploring, got herself into some trouble and this girl, Lilliana, helped her out. I'm trying to find her and thank her, before my little houseguest heals enough to want to go find her herself.

Ah, I see. You're trying to find Lilly before your girl does.

Yes.

If it's not too intrusive, may I ask why? Is she too hurt to leave your home?

"Hmm, what would Pitch say?" I tapped the edge of the computer thoughtfully for a moment. She's healing fine from the whole ordeal. Much better than I expected, actually. It's more about my peace of mind than anything. I'd never admit this to her, you understand, but I get absolutely terrified whenever she leaves the caves without me or one of the nightmares.

Terrified of what?

"Oh, if only he knew..." Terrified her big mouth is going to get her in trouble and that she won't come back to me.

Ah, I see. Well, in that case you should tell her.

"Hehe, time to play the acting card." Are you serious? I'm the boogeyman! The terror that flaps! I care about her, she knows that, but I can't show her that I'm afraid! That's the hinge of all my power! I have to remain fearless, or at least pretend well enough to make people think I'm fearless!

Pitch, I could almost hear the sarcasm dripping through the words. This isn't the dark ages. You aren't being persecuted anymore for what you are, at least not by the Guardians or the other spirits of good. You should just tell her, and go together to talk with Lilly. Since you seem to be a lot less miserable now that you have this girl and Tooth, maybe you can hold a conversation with her.

I'll think about it, I promised him. Can you tell me where to find her?

Well, she's got quite a few houses scattered across the globe. But she makes her prime residence in Buckingham Palace's attic. I suggest checking there first, but if she's not there she has another main residence in Japan, near Tokyo.

At first, I was delighted to finally have her whereabouts. I started wiggling my feet and cheering, elated to have found someone who knew her on the very first try! Then, as I went to type a response thanking him, something clicked in my brain and I sat back, wondering why he should know all this. "And better yet, why should he tell me? I mean Pitch?" I asked him that very same question and he replied swiftly.

Why Pitch, you know me better than that. It's my job to know where the spirits are and what they're up to.

"Ooooh shit..." I felt my fingers trembling. Was I...talking to the Man in the Moon? The leader of the spirits? Pitch had said a name many times, something with an M in it when referencing the leader of the spirits that had brought him back from the brink of death. Was this him? Micha? No, I couldn't be! But who else... I checked his page. Nothing, except for his residence. No family, no clue as to what kind of spirit he was. But if Pitch already knew him, my asking would just make him suspicious and then- "He might alert her! Oh hell no, I'm not losing this chance!"

"Stay calm," I whispered as my fingers tapped tentatively on the keyboard. "I can't give myself away."

Fair enough. Thank you for your help.

Any time. Oh, and tell your new girl that I look forward to meeting her at the annual spirit ball at the Pole this Christmas. North's still hosting, right?

"Pole...North... oh crap. That was Santa Clause. Well, I'm sure glad I didn't message him first, otherwise this entire thing might've been blown!" I'm not sure, I'll have to ask him. Have a pleasant evening Micha.

Same to you Pitch. Good luck finding her, and think about what I said eh? I have to go oil the mice now, bye.

"Oil the-" And then the little green icon glinting next to his name disappeared. "Damn. I was kind of curious about that." Ah well, nothing to do about it now. I had my quarry's location. Now all I needed to do was muster up A- the courage to ask Onyx to be my ride, B- the strength to get me there on my own, or C- finagle some alternative means of transportation. All difficult, in their own way, but the easiest of the three would undoubtedly be Onyx. I wasn't even close to strong enough to fly again, and waiting was NOT an option for me. Not now that I knew she was here.

"And I have no idea how to teleport or use any of the magical doodads I'm sure Pitch has got stashed away in his stuff, so horsey it is! HEY ONYX!" Thundering hoofbeats answered my call and in a second I heard her barreling down the corridor, strong hooves digging into the ground as she screeched to a halt. Her eyes were wild and anxious and she pawed the ground like she'd just finished a race and couldn't keep still.

What is it? What's going on Meggie? Is someone here?

"No." I told her simply, closing the laptop. "I need a ride."

I swear, I thought that horse was going to trample me right then and there. Remember that twitch in Pitch's left eye that sometimes happens when I annoy him to the point of no return? It was there now, in her eye. What...?

"I need a ride. Quickly, if you don't mind. Before Pitch gets back. He shouldn't be done with his rounds for another couple of hours, but I like erring on the safe side." I stood up, smiling. "Let's go ponygirl, before he comes back and I don't get another chance!"

If a horse could be livid, it was Onyx. What in the seven hells makes you think I'm going to take you anywhere?! You're recovering from injury, barely able to stand, let alone use your powers or even keep them in check! You could lose control and start to change and fall off me in mid-flight!

"Not if we get where we need to go quickly," I corrected, smirking. "I just need you to drop me off at Buckingham Palace, no big deal."

NO BIG DEAL?! That's half-way across the world!

"Oh don't exaggerate," I scoffed. "It's only a third of the way. Now, if you don't mind, let's get going! Come on Onyx, I just want to thank her for saving my life! And potentially get some questions answered! Why are you being such a stick in the mud?"

BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING ON! Onyx thundered, bringing her golden eyes right up against mine. YOU NEVER TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON! You just assume I'm going to go along with your hair-brained scheme!

"But of course. Because, like all good practitioners of blackmail, I have an ace in the hole."

Haha, caught her! Onyx cocked her head to the side curiously. And what, pray tell, would that be?

"My bet that Pitch will me more pissed if he finds me gone and you here than if he found out you escorted me somewhere." I replied smoothly, smirking as she realized what devious little scheme I'd cooked up. Really, it was the same plan I'd been using for weeks now. It just happened to suit the situation.

Onyx bucked and grumbled a bit more but, in the end, she agreed and we set out to Buckingham Palace. The only problem was, by the time we got there, we only had an hour to wait before Pitch got back to the caves and in that hour, I saw hide nor hair of the leather-cloaked angel.

Well, we tried. Let's head home. Onyx nudged me towards the open window. Get you tucked up in bed before your over-protective father catches us!

"No!" I snapped, shoving her away and glaring about the room. From the moment I'd stepped into it, a creeping aura of familiarity settled upon my shoulders that I couldn't shake. I'd been here before, I knew it. This was where she'd taken me after...whatever had happened. "She might not be here now, but I need to talk with her! Soon!" I've already got enough damn memories missing, I don't need more!

So just leave a note and let's go! Onyx snapped. If we're late and Pitch finds out-

"He'll just yell like always," I finished, eyes lingering on a sheaf of papers resting on the windowsill. Onyx's words had sparked something of a plan in me. Hmm. A note. Why not?