Chapter 3
One for Tooth and teeth for all

They started with the part of the world where it was night time. Without even noticing it, a race had started over the roofs in this chinese city. North was having fun jumping from house to house, going inside of them by the chimney. He couldn't stop laughing and shouting.

''Quickly ! Quickly ! Hahaha !''

''Faster Aster !'' Hiccup teased as he shifted back into human so he could talk.

He ran on the air alongside his furry friend, who was running on the rooftop and bouncing from one house to the next one.

''Yeah, right. I'd tell ya ta stay outta the way, but, really, what's the point ? Ya won't be able ta keep up, anyway.''

''Is that a challenge, fluffy ?''

''Oh, you don't wanna race a rabbit, mate.''

Suddenly, Aster made a burst of speed, leaving the viking behind. Hiccup laughed at that and changed back into a dragon to catch up. The competitive spirit of the rabbit was one the things the viking liked the most in his friend, it reminded him of his dragon rider friends from when he was human. And he also had to admit the rabbit was actually a good opponent, even for a Night Fury.

North came out of a chimney just in time to hear Aster's last sentence.

''Rrace ? Is zis a rrace ? Zis is going to be… epic !''

Sandy spotted him and smirked before he met Tooth who was giving them instructions as if they were her tiny fairies.

''Four premolars there ! An incisive two blocks east ! Is that a molar ? They're everywhere !''

She was so excited and flying so fast she ended up bumping face first into a billboard. Fate wanted it to be some advertisment for toothpaste, which Hiccup found ironic.

''Ouch, you okay ?'' He asked, perched on top of the billboard.

''Yeah, fine…'' She grunted, holding her nose.

She quickly flew up to him, turning around with the same overjoy, her feathers ruffling.

''Sorry, it's been a long time since I've been on the field !''

''How long, exactly ?''

''Four hundred and forty years, give or take- Oh !''

She cut herself as she pointed to a house, where she surely had located a teeth, and she rushed to them instantly, leaving behind a confused but amused fire spirit.

Hiccup kept his own collect and stepped over a window, only to find Aster emerging from one of his tunnels to pick up the tooth under the kid's pillow. He showed it to the dragon to taunt him, which earned him a spat of fire on his furr. The five spirits used the sleigh and a snow globe to change location and keep going with the next country they needed to visit, following the night.

The first russian house North visited was home for two twins girls, earning him double take of teeth because the both were waiting for the Tooth Fairy. As to Aster, he found a jackpot with five teeth under the same pillow.

''Looks like ya're a bit of a brumby, aye mate ?'' he smirked as he saw the hockey trophees of the boy.

Starting from this point, the race started to escalate. North was about to pick up a tooth from a girl who seemed to have an obsession about russian dolls, when he tripped in one of Aster's holes, falling onto the rabbit and stucking them both in the opening. Sandy took advantage of it and took the tooth.

''That's my tooth ! Sandy ? Sandy !'' North whispered-protested.

The Sandman gave him a big innocent smile, showing off the teeth he was walking away with.

Hiccup made a summersault so he could slip into a window in a narrow street but, when he touched the ground, he fell into a rabbit hole, and Aster came out of another one, laughing at his friend. In another house, this time in Iran, Aster found a note under a pillow, telling him to look at the window. There, he found North, laughing hysterically before the man jumped to another roof, a huge bag of teeth on his elbow.

Hiccup was taking a small pause on a roof and was staring at the little teeth he had just stolen from Aster by making him fall from a window. But as he was recalling his friend's fall, Sandy stole it from him, casually sitting on a dreamsand cloud. North jumped in a chimney but didn't know that Aster had fired it up, earning him an explosion that left dark strains on the back of his pants, mirrorring the ones Hiccup had left on Aster's butt after their last encounter.

When they finally reached London, they decided to debrief on their process, so they all reunited in front of Tooth, each showing her his bag of teeth – North had provided them Christmas themed red sacks. Tooth couldn't be happier seeing how much they had collected each.

''Waouh ! You guys are collecting and leaving gifts as fast as my fairies !''

There was a sudden silent and the spirit's eyes widden, making the fairy loose her smile.

''You guys have been leaving gifts, right ?''

Sandy nodded in approval with a big smile, before he realized otherwise and shook his head the other way around. The four boys' shoulders tensed and they gritted their teeth, Aster's ears flattening on the back of his skull.

Well, now they just had to start all over again and find back every single house they had visited, wasn't it brilliant ? But before that, they stood in line in a coin-laundry to get some coins they could leave to the kids. However, all too soon the coins were all gone, so Aster and North started to leave other gifts. North gave candies, Aster gave eggs and other Easter chocolates.

When Sandy slipped into a bedroom through the dog's hatch, proudly holding a coin in his hand, he stopped dead in his tracks as he saw North lightening up a whole Christmas tree next to the sleeping kid's bed. The big man erupted in laughter as he saw his friend's dejected face. When the Sandman spotted a woken up boy by his window, he waved with a big smile to greet him.

After another trip back to London to fix their mistake, they opened up another portal to keep going with the other part of the globe.

They still had Africa, Groenland and both american continents to visit. None of the five spirits suspected they had been seen by a nightmare. And the dark creature didn't waste time before going to report to its master. It turned into a stream of black sand as it slipped into sewage and used a path of shadow to get back to the cold, dusty and gloomy realm of the Boogeyman.

It flew along distorted greyish stone ruins until it came across a small, half rotten golden earth globe the Boogeyman had settled to check out the believing children. The nightmare shaped into a horse again and landed but didn't dare come closer as Pitch was talking with another spirit. There was nothing to see but the cold emitting from him. Fog was forming at each of his quick breath out, the air around him was colder, and some ice was spreading on the ground where his feet were.

''I don't see what's bothering you, Frost.'' Pitch stated.

''You never mentionned destroying their work, just finding ourselves some believers.'' A young male voice replied, it was distinct but the body it belonged to couldn't be seen.

''That's exactly what we're doing. We have to break the belief in the Guardians for the children to open up to us.''

''I would have rather you warning me beforehand, I didn't sign for that.''

''It's a bit too late to stop, don't you think ?''

The cold spirit grunted in reply, but the Boogeyman was not done yet.

''You saw how they acted at the Tooth Palace, they didn't even see you. You're just as invisible for humans as you are for spirits, you need this belief way more than they do.''

Pitch used a soothing tone with his silk voice, he even wrapped an arm around where he assumed the other spirit's shoulders were. There was a small gap between them. Said spirit noticed and mentally appreciated the gesture, even if it reminded him the fact that the only spirit able to hear him couldn't see him nore touch him, only go through him. Still Pitch was having reassuring gestures for him, even if he couldn't feel it.

''I know you don't like going after people, but there is no other solution.'' Pitch insisted, his voice even softer. ''Some magics just can't get along.''

A frosted sigh was blown, then a blue blur covered Pitch's arm where the other spirit passed through it. The Boogeyman looked at the frost patterns on the ground to know exactly where the other was, and when it thicken a bit, he knew the winter spirit had sat down on the top of these stairs. He held back a smirk and looked back to the globe, frowning at the lights.

''Why aren't they going out ?''

The freshly arrived nightmare neighed hesitantly, explaining what he had seen.

''They're collecting the teeth ?!''

Both spirits and nightmare looked up as the tiny fairies suddenly started to chirp, their wings beating against the cages they were trapped in. Countless of these cages were hanging from the ceiling, countaining each at last thirty fairies. The invisible spirit felt a pinch in his chest each time he looked at them. When the Boogeyman couldn't hear him, he happened to talk to them, trying to comfort them, even though it was obvious there was no sign they could hear him. Only one of them showed a sign, one with different eye colors who had once turned her head to him, but he wasn't sure if she had really stared at him or if it had been his imagination.

''Put down or I stuff up a pillow with you !'' Pitch barked angrily.

The nightmare trotted next to him and whined with concern, but the Boogeyman turned abruptely and growled to scare it off. The black sand creature jumped back and dispersed, getting back to its unstable steaming form, the blue light within it vanishing. Pitch twirled his hand and beaconed some of the sand to create another shape, way smaller and unstable without the ice of his accomplice.

''Fine. Have your last tour round. For tomorrow, all your pathetic scrambling will be for nothing.''

When the sand figure finally took the shape of the Sandman, Pitch crushed it in his fist while snickering. Even if he could have seen his accomplice, he would have not notice the dread and horror on his pale face.

Tooth was taking a break inside the bedroom of a small boy named Jamie Bennet. As a Guardian, she knew the name of every children in the world and could recognize them without asking, even if she was seeing them face to face for the first time. Night was still young and they had managed to collect the teeth all over the world, ending their round trip in Pensylvania, in a small town named Burgess. There was still snow there, and the last drawing the boy had hung on his wall caught the fairy's attention.

She had picked up the left central incisive the boy had lost in the morning, and now she was staring at the drawing which seemed to tell the event of how the tooth fell. An epic sledging accident, according to the title the boy had written on the drawing. He had sketched himself standing on the sledge, surfing in the air, while a group of kids was acclaiming him. What caught Tooth's interest was what had been added on the paper.

Some unatural-looking frost patterns had added lines that seemed to represent a gust of wind, and another silhouette. It seemed tall for a kid, but too small for an adult either. Tooth stared at the drawing for a long time, trying to identify the silhouette, trying to identify the magic she could feel in the frost that should have already melted away.

At first, she didn't notice when Hiccup found her. The simple presence and heat from the fire wielder made the frost melt, but the fairy told him it had been there. So the both of them sat there to discuss this.

''Maybe this spirit has no believers ? They could be a newborn, hense why we haven't heard from them yet. If they joined this sledging, they could have been trying to catch the boy's attention ?''

''Probably. That would explain why they work with Pitch. If they had been invisible for humans, they must feel lonely and, like North said, desperate.''

''If that's the case, then it wouldn't be too difficult to convince them that Pitch is the bad guy in this story.''

''I don't know. I hope so.''

Silence fell around them, so both of them looked back to the sleeping child. He seemed to be roughly eight. He had short chestnut hair and rounded ears that seemed oversized compared to his head. Hiccup felt a sting of pain in his chest as he looked at the boy, because he reminded him of another one he had known, a long time ago. He closed his eyes in try to not think about this, and got distracted as he heard Tooth whisper softly.

''This was always the part I liked the most. Seeing the kids. Why did I ever stopped doing this ?''

The viking hesitated a bit, looking at her nostalgic face, then he smiled.

''It's not too late to start over, you know ?''

His playful tone managed to draw a small smile on her face.

''Thank you for your help, Horren.''

She put a hand on his shoulder, which looked ridiculously tiny compared to an average human woman's hand.

''I wish I could do something for you in return. Maybe I can help you reconciliate with Søl ?''

Hearing the name killed any mood in Hiccup and filled his eyes with a dark flame. Tooth backed at that, she felt guilty for angering him whereas she only had good intentions. He knew that so he quickly calmed down, and gave her a small smile.

''I appreciate, Tooth. Really. But I don't think I can ever get back on good terms with him.''

''What happened between the two of you ? You were so close, before.''

Hiccup sighed.

''It was a long time ago. Let's just focus on you and your fairies, okay ? Then we'll take care of Pitch.''

He swore he felt some complicity spark between Tooth and him as she smiled back, but the moment was ruined as they heard a faint grunt. North was trying to get through the narrow window.

''Herre you arre.''

When he finally managed to squeeze in, he landed a bit heavily on the floor and Tooth hushed him, pointing at the bed and the sleeping boy. Sandy floated behind the Christmas spirit who shrunk his shoulders.

''What's taking you so long ?'' He asked in a whisper. ''Slow talks ?''

She shook her head in amusement, which made him smile too.

''How arre you feeling, Toothy ?''

''Believed in !'' She chirped, still whispering.

''Zat's prretty good to hearr.''

She twirled around exitedly, then they saw a rabbit hole opening on the floor, two long ears coming out of it before Aster's head followed suite.

''Oh, I see, I see. All workin' together, makin' sure the rabbit gets last place.''

Since he was talking out loud, Tooth and North hushed him. He started and rose his hands, a bit confused until he saw the boy.

''Come on, that's not a competition.'' Hiccup smiled in a low voice.

Aster eyed the teeth sack hanging to the armor's belt. It was the same size at Aster, though it was obvious there were less teeth inside.

''Only loosers say that. Now that's a bag of choppers.'' He showed off his bag with a smug smile, only making the viking chuckle.

''Gentlemen, gentlemen, zis is about Tooth.''

The fairy approved with a nod and a smile, happy to see that, for once, North was being reasonable. Yet it didn't took long before she was disappointed.

''But if it waz competition, I win !''

He threw his giant bag of teeth on the ground and started to make a victory dance, yelling excitedly. He stopped dead in his tracks as a flashlight was suddenly switch on and directed on his face. The five spirits froze and looked wide-eyed at the bed, where the boy was awake and staring them with equal wide eyes.

''Santa Claus…'' He gasped, amazed. The Easter Bunny…''

He pointed his flashlight towards Aster, blinding him in the process, the rabbit still tried to smile but it turned out more like a grimace. The Jamie boy repeated his actions on Sandy, who smiled and waved.

''Sandman… and the Tooth Fairy ! I knew you'd come !''

She smiled too but was very uneasy and stressed.

''Surprise ! We came !''

''He can see us ?'' Hiccup asked, marveled.

It had been a long time since he had met a child who could see him, the prospect was building bubbling joy inside of him. A huge smile spread on his face as the light blinded him, but the boy looked a bit confused.

''Who are you ?''

Aster norted at that.

''C'mon kiddo, if ya see 'im, ya've got ta know who he is.''

Jamie frowned and looked intently at Hiccup, taking in the sight of the scales-covered armor, the auburn air, freckled face and orange eyes. The armor gave the spirit away.

''Horren Blaze !'' Jamie beamed, and that made Hiccup beam too. ''The defensor of dragons !''

''That's right, kiddo.'' The viking smiled.

He couldn't be happier. Meeting a believer was always a heart-warming moment, he had forgotten what it felt like, and wondered how this boy could see him. Surely he had read stories about him, legends about dragon riders, and he also had a dog pet. Children with pets used to see Hiccup. Plus this boy had a lot of books about mystical creatures and legends, so he had to be believing in dragons, too.

''Wow, you're even cooler than what I thought !''

Aster snorted again, crossing his arms.

'' 'Cool' ain't the word I would have used for this guy.''

Hiccup gave him a deadpanned look.

''Did you seriously made a pun about heat and cold, fluffy ?''

Aster frowned at that.

''Shut it, ya bloody lizard.'' He grumbled back.

''Hush guys, he's still awake !'' Tooth interjected.

''Sand', knock 'im out.'' Aster said.

The short golden spirit nodded and bumped his fist in his palm, which worried the boy.

''With the dreamsand, ya dumby !''

Sandy barely had time to look back at Aster that the bunny had other problems to deal with. A growl was directed to him. Glancing at the bed, the spring spirit noticed with dread that the greyhound, sleeping there while nobody noticed him, had woken up and was now growling at the giant rabbit. Jamie got worried and put a hand on the dog's back.

''No, that's the Easter Bunny ! What are you doing, Abbey ? Down !''

''Alright, nobody panics.'' Aster said, slowly putting his sack down.

He shrugged and put on a defensive tanse.

''That's a greyhound,'' Hiccup stated. ''Do you know what greyhounds do to rabbits ?''

''Oh, he's a pretty sized bud. He's never met a rabbit like me.''

Hiccup rolled his eyes, then noticed the sceptical and mocking look Sandy gave the bunny. When the ancient spirit made a ball of sand in his palm, the viking knew he was already on plan B. Plan A could have been the dragon himself, since he knew so much about beasts and how to tame them.

He would have easily calmed down this dog, but he thought it was time for a little lesson for his arrogant friend. The bunny was too full of himself for his own safety.

''Six foot one, nerves of steel, master of tai-chi and the ancient art of-''

''Abbey, attack.'' Hiccup said.

The dog barked and Aster panicked.

''Crickey !''

He jumped back as the dog lunged at him, toppling over Sandy who started to juggle with the dreamsand ball in try to catch it. A furious chase started in the bedroom, opposing the giant rabbit and the greyhound, while the little boy was trying to call his pet.

''No, sit ! Abbey !''

North tried to get out of the way, Tooth flew to the ceiling while Hiccup nonchalantly climbed on the desk, staring and laughing his brain off. As to Sandy, he was desperately trying to target the dog who was moving and jumping too fast.

''Sandy, knock it out, Sandy !'' Aster almost begged.

When the bunny ran past his golden fellow, he didn't have time to throw his ball as he was toppled by the dog, the ball flew in the air at top speed and started to ricochet on the ceiling and walls. It started to hit Tooth right in the face, tossing her into a deep slumber. Small golden teeth formed above her head.

''She rabies !'' Aster cried, ''Get this thing off me !''

After hitting a frame and bouncing against the edge of a dresser, the dreamsand ball smashed into Aster's face, then the dog, then North who was trying to open the window. The ball went through it, promising to disperse if it got too far away from its creator, but the big bearded man fell heavily on the bed, throwing the boy in the air. Jamie laughed as he flew before he landed in the Sandman's arms, who blew some sand in his face to make him sleep.

''Whoops.'' Hiccup chuckled, taking in the sight of the mess he had caused.

Tooth was at the feet of the desk where the viking was crouched. The greyhound Abbey was lying on the carpet in the middle of the room, a circle of bones swirling above its head. Aster was leaning against the bed, half sitting, half laying, with three big and beautiful sandy carrots in his dreams, and Nord was sprawled on the bed, dreaming about candy canes, his face almost burried in Bunny's ears.

As the carrots and candy canes met, the dream took a way more amusing twist because the carrots grew legs and arms, then grabbed a cane and started to dance like Charlie Chaplin. Hiccup laughed at that while Sandy layed the boy on the bed, resting him against North's side. Once it was done, the golden ancient spirit chuckled too, and that's when the two remaining spirits heard a third laugh join them. It was a bubbling, cheering, childish laugh that seemed to come from the windowsill. Hiccup and Sandy both jumped around but only saw a nightmare there, a nightmare that instantly fled away.

The dragon didn't think and rushed to the window. He felt frost on the windowsill, which melted to his touch but left on his fingertips the same magic prickling he had felt from the ice at the Tooth Palace. He looked outside and spotted at the end of the street not one, but two nightmares flying away.

''Sandy, come on ! We've got to find Pitch !'' He called out before jumping outside and shifting into a dragon to fly after them.

The Sandman hesitated and stepped over Tooth before reaching the window. He glanced at his fellow Guardians who were all fast asleep. He judged pros and cons quickly : taking the time to wake them up so they could all leave together, or hurry up and catch up with the fire wielding spirit before he got into troubles ? He ended up deciding to leave them behind, they should be waking up soon and find them quickly.

However what he had not anticipated was the fact all the noise they had made had woken up Jamie's little sister, Sophie. The toddler always wearing butterfly wings on her back stumbled inside, half asleep, until she saw the big man laying on her brother's bed. She recognized the red coat and the long white beard with just a look. So she giggled and tried to climb on the bed, but she was so small and only managed to grab the coat. A big snow globe slipped from the pocket and rolled on the floor, the little girl ran after it and picked it up with wonder.

''Pwetty…''

She then noticed the giant rabbit sleeping there, too, hugging Santa Claus' arm tightly. She recognized him as well and smiled even more as she started to bounce.

''Bunny, hop hop hop !''

She gasped as colorful eggs appeared inside of the globe. She wanted to go back to her room to play with her new toy, but she tripped over the sleeping dog and dropped the snow globe. As it touched the floor, it exploded and opened a magic portal, hypnotising the girl with its light and colors. She giggled once more as she stepped into the light and was engulfed in it. The portal closed and North woke up with a start.