Pitch

I sensed her fear the moment she touched my nightmares. I spun to her, knocking her away from him, before my nightmares could drain too much. "What do you think you're doing?" I snapped, fearfully, as I pushed her back.

"I wasn't doing anything," She shrugged, shrinking away from me.

I growled at her, making her look up, her eyes wide with fear. "Never touch them! Ever!" I demanded. I knew I sounded angry but I was more frightened than anything.

The room fell silent after my outburst, making me regret my tone. I brushed back my hair back, forcing myself to calm down, "I'm sorry, Toothiana." I sighed, "Just don't touch them again. They're – they haven't been fed for a while." I told her, looking over at North, as a thought occurred to me. "Maybe we should feed them."

"What do you mean?" North asked, removing his hat, and wiping his brow.

I smiled, as the plan unfolded in my mind, "Well, did it occur to you that maybe our little ape friend might be afraid of something? I don't know why I never thought of it before." I laughed, clapping my hands once.

"I'm not sure," Frost began, "I mean, surely you would've sensed it, right?" He asked, twirling a snowflake through his fingers.

"I did," I said, quickly, "I did sense it but I was too focused on Toothiana, that I forgot." I explained, eagerly.

Bunny frowned, hopping over to me, "That's pretty risky, mate."

"Yes but it could work," I offered, persistently. I looked over at North, "What do you think?"

North stroked his beard, glancing around at the others before looking over at me, a smile on his face. "If it's a chance to help Tooth," he nodded, "I am in. Bunny?"

I turned to him, as he pondered the idea, "I don't know, mate. What if it doesn't work?"

I shrugged, "Then you needn't worry about having a new Guardian." I told him, unemotionally.

I heard Toothiana gasp and immediately held my breath, her fear erupting. "What? No! This is a bad idea."

I kept my back to her, ensuring she didn't see the uncertainty in my eyes, "It's our best bet, Toothiana and it's not going to make that big a difference if it does go wrong." I said, coolly, turning to Frost, "What about you, Frost?"

His eyes were on Toothiana, worry clear in them, "I... I guess it could work-"

"Jack!" She cried, outraged, "Don't encourage him! Pitch, we will think of something else-"

"Sanderson," I ignored her, looking down at Sandy, "It could work, you know it could."

He swung his arms, puffing out his cheeks as he thought about it, peering up at me. His eyes moved behind me as he flashed an apologetic smile to Toothiana and nodded.

I smiled, gratefully at him and turned to Toothiana, who glared at me. "It could-"

"Don't," She hissed, the feathers on her head shaking, a sign that she was losing control. She always did have a short temper. I thought, amused. "I am not going to let you go out there, with such a huge risk. North, tell him!" She demanded, sharply.

North's already wide eyes grew larger. He cleared his throat, quickly, "If there is a chance... even a little one, Tooth-"

"Are you kidding me?!" She cried, storming over to them, "We are supposed to look out for each other! You can't let him do this!" I flinched at her tone, the fear and sadness in her voice making my chest ache.

"It isn't up to them," I told her, quietly, making her spin to me. I felt my eyes widen at the ferocity on her usually serene face.

Her wings flicked involuntarily, causing her eyes to falter slightly, but she quickly recovered herself, "It's not happening."

"Manny made me come back for a reason," I pointed out, "Maybe this is it."

"It's not worth the risk, Pitch." She repeated, impatiently.

I frowned, dropping my eyes and sighed, "Do you remember what you promised me, that night, after the Ground hog left?"

"Things have changed since then." She replied, uncertainly.

I looked up at her, raising my eyebrows, "You mean, like me becoming a nightmare?"

"That was the main part, yes." She nodded, crossing her arms and looking away.

I shook my head, "I knew it." I muttered, throwing my hands up. "This is why I never wanted to come back." Her face fell, her eyes glazing over, and my anger drained away. "No, that's not what I-"

"If you didn't want to come back," She snapped, "Why did you? Why put yourself through all of this?"

"I didn't mean-" I began, desperately, moving towards her.

She held her hands up, stopping me, "Why don't you just go?" She said, sharply.

"Toothiana..."

"Just go! You wouldn't even be here if I hadn't been so stupid." She spat, turning away from me, "Just go back to your lair, I'm sure the children are dying to be traumatized."

I gaped at her. She had never been so harsh. "I'm not going-"

She spun, quickly, her eyes burning, "Leave!" She screamed, her fear and anger making me stumble backwards, like an invisible force.

I stared at her, for a moment, something thick in my throat. I dropped my head, my hands moving to my neck. I pulled off my pendant, and took her hand, dropping it in, "I'm sorry." I sighed, turning and walking out, without saying another word.