author's note: Sorry for the long delay, I was facing major writer's block for this chapter. That said, I am still not happy with this chapter. It just doesn't 'flow' right in my opinion. I think this is one of those chapter I'll have to spruce up later. That said, badass Tooth makes an appearance, which always makes my day.

Pitch didn't remember much of the flight to Tooth's palace. However, he remembered their arrival to Punjam Hy loo with crystal clarity, if only because it was so different.

Or rather, the fairies were different.

A vast majority were still the tiny replicas of Toothiana with beaks but that simply made the new contrast more profound. Every hundred mini-fairies or so there would be one that was larger, or even smaller, than her sisters. Some had human faces instead of beak like noses while others had beaks similar to a swan's, a puffin's, or some other bird. These different fairies sometimes had six wings like their queen but, they also had butterfly, dragonfly, or bird-like wings. Of course the most obvious ones were the ones that were no longer green; canary yellow, cardinal red, parrot blue, and the list went on.

What had caused this?

"Quite the sight, huh," Tooth commented noticing Pitch's gaze. "I bet you never saw a flock so big... and most of my girls are off collecting teeth." Tooth had the tone of a mother's pride in her voice. It surprised him he only lost a tooth for kidnapping what were, essentially, her children.

Then he remembered that was four years ago and perhaps Tooth did not let him off as easily as he first suspected.

Finally noticing their Queen-mother, six fairies broke away from the swarm to greet Toothiana. Perhaps unique coloration and features were a representation of independence considering the six fairies before Pitch all had two or more unique characteristics. In almost military style the six fairies reported how tooth collection for six continents were faring during Tooth's time away.

"That's great girls. Tell Jian and Thamina to meet me in the guest bedroom. They have a patient to see," Tooth eventually said, flying away to another part of the palace as the fairies returned to the hub of activity.

The guest room was a large circular room at the top of one of the palace's towers. The furniture was sparse; a bed, a desk, a reclining chair, and a small bookshelf. The room could not really fit more with there being more window space than actual walls. Despite the openness of the room, Pitch did not feel exposed to the elements. Aside from a strong breeze Pitch doubted any undesirable weather could reach the room given its location.

"A bit big for you but this room is usually used by a friend that's quite a bit bigger than you as well. Once Jian and Thamina get here with medical supplies we'll get your wing fixed up in no time," Tooth assured Pitch.

Did she even notice how he had yet to say a word since Burgess? She was probably attributing his silence to exhaustion which was not entirely false. Pitch was no condition to maintain a conversation and really, the less he said the better. There was no guarantee he would remember to speak in the language of Crow instead of a human tongue. Pitch already had a close call on that roof, best to save his strength and keep silent.

Soon enough, Tooth and Pitch were joined by two fairies that tutted worriedly over Pitch's injured wing. Faster than Pitch expected they went about setting the broken bones of his wing so it would heal properly and then wrapped it up in a stiff splint cast. Then they made him drink a vitamin rich water, promising Pitch some proper food after he got some rest.

"Very well," he agreed when it was clear the three were waiting for a verbal affirmative.

CCtB

Tooth sighed in relief as the rather taciturn crow settled done to sleep in the nest her girls made for him on the desk. Frowning, Tooth realized she never got the crow's name. She was sorely tempted to ask him for one but, he was already fast asleep and she could not bare to wake him. The past couple days had not been kind to him and he needed all the good sleep he could get.

A name was simply going to have to wait.

Anyways, she needed to get back to work. Her lieutenants were improving by leaps and bounds these days but, they could only handle so much for so long without her. This was perhaps the longest time away from directing the army she'd been since she started leaving her lieutenants in charge. It was good to see they handled the extended duration so well.

"Alright girls, I'm officially back. Go get some rest," Tooth ordered and she kept a straight face as her girls sighed in relief and quickly flew off. They wouldn't appreciate her chuckling over their dramatics.

Tooth was only back to directing her fairies for a few hours when North's lights colored the sky for the first time in four years. The Queen of the tooth fairies bit her lip as she looked between her girls and the lights.

She couldn't just ignore the emergency signal but, she did not feel comfortable making her lieutenants step in once more. The boys would just have to deal with her multi-tasking, they managed alright last time.

"Jian, Thamina, watch over our guest for me while I'm gone. Make sure he gets some food and water when he wakes up and if you're needed for tooth collection leave him with the elephant, okay?" Tooth asked hurriedly, flying off as soon as her girls nodded accent.

Despite her haste Tooth was the last to arrive, her smile fading at the grim expression of her fellow Guardian's faces. "What's wrong?" She asked instead of asking after everyone's well-being like she planned. It was obvious this was no time for pleasantries.

North looked over at Sandy briefly before taking the role of spokesperson. "Sandy has spotted Nightmares. Many Nightmares and-"

"The entrance to Pitch's lair is back in Burgess," Jack added anxiously, cutting off an amused, if still grim-faced, North.

Tooth's hands covered her mouth even as she gasped in surprise. She did not understand. During their war with Pitch he always took a decade or two to lick his wounds if he lost a battle and he never used the same tactics twice. There was something she was missing here...

"What else?" She demanded as she forced herself to harden. She was Toothiana, Queen and leader of the fairy army. If Pitch was determined to start a war she would face him without mercy.(*)

"The Nightmares, they are not dark sand anymore but shadow. Sandy cannot purify them," North finished explaining. "Jack thinks we should try Pitch's lair for answers but, it is likely trap."

Tooth thought over the plan before nodding and giving her fellow Guardians a small but fierce smile. "North, I'm going to need my swords back."

North startled at Tooth's order before giving a dark chuckle. It was past time Pitch remembered the Guardians weren't just 'soft-hearted fools'.

The Guardians were going to war.

* I'm as much a fan of puns as William Joyce is. I almost wrote here 'no quarter would be given.' Then mentally slapped myself and went on writing.