Toothiana

I looked up, worriedly, as the lights shone in the sky as they had last week. "Let's go," I told the fairies beside me, forcing my wings to fly quickly.

I flew past Bunny, as he hopped through the cold snow, irritated. I hurried to the globe, where North waited patiently for us to arrive. I smiled at Sandman and Jack, as they waved to me.

Bunny finally hopped in and stopped beside the fire, warming his feet, "What's going on, North? It's only been a week since the whole Pitch thing. There can't be another threat already, can there?"

"What's the matter, Peter cotton tail? Did we pull you away from your arts and crafts?" Jack teased, perching himself on his staff.

Bunny frowned, hopping over to us, "You see? You see what he does? How do you expect me to work with him?" He moaned, as per usual.

I watched as Jack and Bunnymund began arguing. I looked over at North and Sandman, who, also, watched, annoyed. This is getting old. "Guys, enough!" I snapped, making them silence, quickly. "We've been brought here for a reason and you two arguing isn't going to help. Now shut up."

They stared at me, unsurely before nodding, slowly. I nodded back, turning to North, "What's going on, North?"

He exchanged a look with Sandy before clearing his throat and walking over to the guardian carving on the ground, "Manny wishes to speak with us."

I floated over, eagerly, as the moonbeam moved to the centre of the carving, forming a shape. I froze, as Pitch's silhouette was created by Manny. "W-what does that mean?" I asked, nervously, looking up at North.

He threw up his arms, clueless and turned to Manny, "Pitch? We caught Pitch last week. His nightmares took care of him."

"Maybe he got out," Jack suggested, making me look up, quickly.

"That's crazy." I gasped, "No, he couldn't… could he?" I glanced at Manny, both hopeful and terrified.

The carvings began to separate, as the viewing crystal rose, the moon beams reflecting off of it, majestically. The guardians circled it, expectantly, watching as an image formed in the centre. I felt goose bumps spread across my arms as I stared down at Pitch, running ramped through the town of Burgess.

"So it is true," North sighed, looking around at each of us. "Pitch has returned."

"So what do we do?" Bunny asked, curiously, looking away from the crystal.

"We go get him," Jack said, as though it were the simplest thing.

"Jack, we can't go after him," I began, my eyes glued to the image of him. "Who knows what he's planning. We need to think this through."

"Tooth is right," North nodded, "But we cannot simply wait around for Pitch to do something. We will go find him now. Maybe we could just speak with him." He suggested, pulling on his thick coat.

"Talk with him? Are you crazy?" Bunnymund scoffed, pointing his boomerang at him, "That guy tried to kill us, and you reckon he's just going to talk to us? You're bonkers, mate."

"We should try, Bunny," I told him, dragging my eyes to him, "Pitch was our friend once, remember? Maybe he's changed."

"You said that last time, Tooth." He frowned, twitching his nose, "When are you going to give up on that insane hope that he'll change? He is the Boogeyman. He brings fear to children. It is our job to stop him."

I flinched, meeting his eyes, angrily. "He was our friend, Bunnymund. He was family. You never give up on family."

He continued to glare at me, as I returned his scowl, until North stepped in, "Enough of this. We do not have time to argue with each other. We will try, Bunny. But if it does not work, we will stop him." He decided, dominantly.

"Fine, but you'll be sorry when he tries to kill one of us again," Bunny warned me, slipping his boomerangs away.

I shook my head, "He won't. I'm sure of it." I told him, confidently.

0o0o0o0o

I sat on the sleigh, drumming my fingers, nervously. Pitch is out. I punched him. He is going to be furious with me. Maybe I should apologise. No… the guardians will know something is up. I sighed, looking over the side of the sleigh, at the world below.

"Maybe we should split up," I suggested, "To find Pitch." I added, softly.

"Are you kidding?" Jack laughed, shortly. "He's too dangerous. Don't you remember what happened to Sandy when he faced him alone?"

I looked over at him, taking in his worried icy blue eyes, snow white hair and blue hoodie, decorated with delicate frost designs. "Jack, Pitch isn't an idiot. If he sees all of us, he'll be prepared but if one of us manages to find him, he might talk. If not, it'll give us the upper hand, as he won't know where the others are." I told him, thoughtfully.

He frowned, glancing at Bunny, "She has a point. What do you think, Kangaroo?"

"I'm a bloody bunny." Bunny muttered, before turning to me, "I suppose it could work. We'll try it but if any of us see him, avoid the black sand. Especially you, Sandy."

I looked down at Sandy, worriedly, "Are you okay? I mean, we did have a little mishap last time we faced Pitch."

Sandy gave me a look, before smiling, holding up his thumbs. I smiled back, looking out of the sleigh as North landed. "Okay, so we'll meet back here in an hour, if we don't find him." Jack said, twirling his staff, eager to fly.

We all agreed and hurried out of the sleigh, in different directions. I flew, quickly, glancing around the woods, nervously. Where is he? I wondered, biting my lip, as I slowed. I glanced around the opening I had been in earlier that week, looking down at the hole in the ground, worriedly.

"Oh, Pitch," I sighed, peering down the hole, curiously.

"Toothiana?" I spun quickly at Pitch's voice. He stood at the edge of the opening, his eclipse-coloured eyes wide, as he stared at me, "What are you doing here?"

I pulled my eyes from his and pointed upwards, "Manny…" I shrugged, coolly.

He frowned, glancing at the moon, before walking into the opening, "So where are your friends?"

"They aren't here," I told him, remaining still as he circled me. "I was hoping we could talk."

"Talk? Are you mad?" He asked, angrily, stopping in front of me, "You all turned my nightmares against me, then proceeded to hide me beneath the bed for what felt like years. Why would I talk with you people?"

I sighed, "Pitch, you knew we'd have to go after you. And you were only under there for a week." I told him, hoping to reassure him.

His frown deepened as he narrowed his dark eyes at me, "What is it you want to talk about, Toothiana?" I smiled, slightly, as he spoke my full name. No one ever used it but him. "If this is about me joining your little team, you can save your breath."

My smile fell and I looked up at him, "What are you doing here, Pitch?" I asked, curiously. "What's your plan?"

He smiled, shaking his head at me, "You think I'd tell you my plan?"

"Pitch, you know that if you go after the kids, that we'll have to stop you." I reminded him, disappointedly, "Just join the Guardians. Pitch, it is what you were destined to do and you know it."

He laughed, sharply, nightmares appearing behind him, "I don't think it is, Toothiana. Just because Manny wishes it, doesn't mean it is destined."

I glanced at the dark horses, nervously, backing away slightly, "Uh, Pitch, do you mind getting rid of your pets for a moment?" I asked, shakily.

The horses whinnied, their nostrils flaring as I shrank back. "Pitch…" I shivered, staring at him, frightened slightly.

He clicked his fingers, making the horses vanish, as he stared back at me. "You cannot just show up here and expect me to tell you my plans, my dear. I'm afraid since our last chat, I've grown stronger and my nightmares fear me once more. Tell your friends to be ready." He smirked, crossing his arms.

I closed my eyes, softly, shaking my head, "I don't need to." I sighed.

"What does that mea-?" He began, before a loud thud sounded through the opening.

I opened my eyes, looking down at him, as golden dream sand floated around his head. I looked up at the others, "What took you so long?" I asked, weakly.

Jack frowned, looking from Pitch to me, "He's out, isn't he? I think we got him on time."

"Whatever you say," I shrugged, glancing back at Pitch, "We'd better get him back to the workshop before he wakes up."

"Good idea, mate," Bunny nodded, lifting Pitch and throwing him over his shoulder, carelessly. "Let's get back to the sleigh."