Toothiana
I watched, reluctantly, as he rode away. "That went well," Bunny groaned, tiredly.
I turned to him and shrugged, "It's going to take time, Bunny. You remember how long it took to recruit Jack?"
"It's funny," Bunny smirked, "I'd rather have another Jack on the team than Pitch Black." He spat, thoughtlessly.
Sandy held up his thumbs, agreeing with Bunny. I frowned, exasperatedly. "Are you kidding me? We've known Pitch for centuries."
"And each of our meetings ends badly." Bunny countered, frowning back at me. "He is not a Guardian."
I shook my head, looking at the Guardian crystal, curiously. Why was I bothering to argue with him? Bunnymund would never accept Pitch. Even I knew that, but it didn't mean I'd give up. "I think I'm going to head back to the palace. Let me know if Manny says anything else."
With that, I took off, flying after Pitch. I knew where he'd be going. Back home. Burgess. His lair.
0o0o0o0o
I slowed as I reached Burgess, frowning in the bright sun. I looked around, quickly, spotting Jack at the pond, with Jamie and his friends. I flew down, hurriedly, hoping he didn't see me and sped through the trees. I stopped, as a girl waved at me. I recognised her, immediately as Sophie, Jamie's little sister.
"Hello there," I smiled, settling down beside her.
"Pretty," Sophie giggled, staring up at me.
"Shouldn't you be with Jamie?" I asked, brushing her blonde hair behind her ears.
She nodded, running past me, towards the pond. I sighed as I kicked myself up and hurried to Pitch's lair entrance. I bit my lip, glancing around before hurrying in. I blinked, against the darkness, forcing my eyes to adjust, quickly. I carefully landed, silencing my wings, as I continued through the tunnels. He had to be here somewhere. I looked up as I entered a large space and froze. Cages hung from the ceiling, blue and purple feathers stuck to the sides. Oh, Pitch. How could you? I faltered, flying up to a cage and pulled a feather out, shakily.
"You cannot be here," Pitch's voice echoed through the chamber.
I looked around, nervously, holding the feather close. "Where are you?" I asked, as I floated down to the path again.
"I am everywhere." He replied, simply, his shadows circling me.
"Pitch, I'm not here to play games." I snapped, looking over my shoulder.
"Isn't that what you Guardians do? Play games?" He laughed, sharply.
"I'm not leaving until I talk to you," I told him, rubbing my arms, unsurely.
"Then talk," He snapped, materialising in front of me. He really did not look happy; his golden eyes glowered at me, impatiently.
"Manny chose you, Pitch. Just like he did us." I explained, softly, "You are a Guardian."
"No, I am not." He frowned, "If that's what you came to talk about, then leave. I will not listen to it any longer." He turned away, walking towards the darkness.
"Pitch, please," I begged, flying to his side, and placing my hand on his arm, "I don't want to fight you anymore."
He stopped and narrowed his eyes at me, "Why? We are not friends. You all made that clear when you left me, making all of them forget me. I was invisible to all of them." Left you?
I folded back my wings, standing before him, "We're not friends?" I asked, disappointedly. "Pitch, I have been sticking up for you for the last five hundred years. The others would tell me to give up, that you were an enemy. I thought of you as family." I told him, sadly.
His frown faltered, slightly. "I am not a Guardian, Toothiana. Manny may have decided I am but it's my choice and I'm saying no. So I suggest you leave before I lock you up, like your precious fairies." He threatened, walking away without a second glance.
I sighed, dropping my eyes, "Very well. I can't force you to become one of us. I just thought you'd want a family again." I started to move away but stopped, glancing back at him, "I'm sorry for punching you. I felt terrible. But you can't go after my fairies. They are my family too." I told him, before flying out of his lair, my heart aching.