The sound of the children's laughter was heard as Jackson and a few other older kids prepared their 'stage' for the main event. Jackson had begged Pitch for clothing for their storytelling and some props to go with it. Pitch was curious on what they were for, so he willingly gave Jackson the stuff he wanted.

Pitch watched his brother from the shadows as Jackson handed handmade robs to the children and told them what they were going to be doing. The younger children were laughing as they sat on the ground to watch the performance.

The crowd grew silent when Jackson faced his audience of children. "Our story begins in a lost kingdom." Two girls with brown hair walk up to the stage in blue furry dresses, facing the crowd with baskets of flowers. "It was the Princess's coronation. Elle was the oldest of the two and was to be queen. Everyone was happy and excited."

The two girls walked around as he spoke. The performer playing Elle stood tall and proud, smiling as she faced the audience. The two girls walked together for a bit before splitting up. The two performers stopped at the edge of the stage, each one throwing flowers everywhere.

"All except her sister, Linda." The performer placed a scowl on her face and positioned her hands on her hips. "Linda was jealous of her sister. She believed she was more capable of being queen then her sister."

The children gasped and whispered, "Oh no."

"Linda had a plan. She found a book that described of a potion that can make her sister blind."

"She can't rule if she can't see. Mwahahaha!"

Pitch smiled as the children booed at the 'evil' sister. He watched as Jackson continued on with the story. More children came forth playing the roles of the Priest, Knights, the Peasants and Prince Jack, which of course was played by Jackson. Pitch was very amused by their performance as the prince managed to stop Princess Linda and saved the day.

"And they all lived..." Jackson began, pause for effect.

"Happily Ever After!" the children finished with cheers and giggles.

Jackson and the other five older kids smiled and bowed to their audience. "Thank you! Thank you! You've all been a wonderful audience!" Jackson thanked as the parents came to collect their children. "Thank you for watching our play and don't forget we are performing the story of the Dark Ages tomorrow night. Goodnight!"

Pitch blinked as Jackson mentioned the Dark Ages. Why was Jackson going to perform that tomorrow night? He watched the crowd as they dispersed. Jackson was happily talking to the parents that thanked him and the other older kids for babysitting their kids and gave them a few coins for their trouble.

Jackson walked home with a smile on his face. Flee was talking nonstop about the play. He smiled as Kozmotis appeared next to them with one of his horses.

"How you liked the play?"

"It was interesting," his brother replied. "You do this all the time with the village kids?"

"Yup," Jackson and Flee replied.

"The adults always go to the town meetings around that time. Many of them have kids so we babysit them. It was actually my idea to do this performs three years ago."

"Hmm," was Kozmotis response.

"So how's your battles coming?"

"Better," Kozmotis said with a smile. "I managed to defeat the little fairies and their queen. The new nightmares are working like wonders."

"That's great!" Flee squealed. Jackson and Flee still believed in the Guardians, but preferred to help Kozmotis instead. Beside, family comes first.

Jackson nodded while Night neighed in approval. The little nightmare horse had grown a bit since Kozmotis gave it to him two months ago. Night was now slightly bigger then his palm. He wondered just how big his little nightmare will grow. That was an interesting thought.

They walked the rest of the way to their cottage. Jackson glanced at his brother as they all entered the house. "Hi mom!"

Ms. Overland had brown curly hair and light brown eyes. She wore an apron over her dress. "You two are just in time for supper."

"Yeah!" Jackson and Flee yelled as they ran to the table.

Pitch smiled at his younger brother as they ran to the table. He waited for his brother to go into the kitchen to gather some bowls before he announced that he was leaving. Jackson gave him a quick glance in acknowledgement before returning his attention back to his mother. With a smile still on his face, Pitch entered the closest shadow and shadowed back to his lair.

Pitch walked out of the shadow and entered his lair when he felt something. He narrowed his eyes. Something was here. He blended in with the shadows and commanded his nightmares to find the intruder. Hundreds of nightmares ran out of the shadows and started their assault. The sound of hooves and neighs echoed throughout the caverns of his lair. But what made him growl in irritation was the sound of a chirp. Oh of all the...

"Master!" Pitch came out of the shadows as his favorite nightmare, Onyx, appeared with one of Toothiana's fairies. The thing chirped angrily at him.

Pitch glared angrily at it. How it found his lair, he didn't know. But he wasn't going to let it live to tell. "Destroy her."

The screams of the fairy echoed as his nightmares first tore the fairy's wings to prevent it from flying away. After that was done they tore at her feathers and flesh, leaving a bloody mess in it wake. Pitch stared at it emotionlessly as the dead body of the fairy laid in a pool of blood and feathers.

"Onyx, gather some of others and triple the guard of the lair and surrounding village. Make sure no other unwanted guests are found."

"Yes, Master," she replied.

Pitch turned to a second group of nightmares. "The rest of you, gather nightmares. If you see any of the Guardians or their helpers drive them away from the village. Attack them. Destroy them, if you can. Divert their attention to a different village or country. I do not want them anywhere near Burgess."

"Yes, Master," they replied before disappearing into the shadows. Pitch sighed and glared at the dead fairy. He moved his hand and summoned black sand to transform it into a Fearling. When he was done the the blood was gone and all that was left was a black and grey mini tooth fairy.

"Come," he ordered. "We have much to do." It chirped and obeyed as they shadowed away to the study room for much needed planning against the Guardians. They were getting too close, especially with Easter one month way. They had much to do.