So here is the next installment of Pitch's Passion…ENJOY

"Hey Bunny," Jack said softly as they walked towards the snack bar "why did Tooth look like she was about to cry earlier?"

Bunny's ears twitched at the question, making him turn to look around and ensure that the fairy had been successfully ditched and was not within hearing distance, before looking back at Jack "Why ya ask mate?" he queried in a low whisper.

"Well," Jack pursed his lips before cocking his head gesturing the rabbit to follow him to an empty conference room "it's just at the beginning of the play, I looked over at Tooth and she looked like she was ready to cry."

Realization hit Bunny and he nodded understandingly "It's a long story Frostbite, and just about as sad as my own."

"We have half an hour until the show starts," Jack pressed "we have time."

"Ok," the Pooka sighed pausing and staring into the distance, searching for the right words until finally he began to speak again "Tooth's parents were wonderful people. Her father was human, and her mother was a special warrior from a society known as the Sisters of Flight who were these creatures that were half bird half woman. They were formidable in battle, and somehow her parents met and fell in love. Tooth was then born, and soon grew her wings, but the people of the village began ta hate her for her uniqueness. Long story short, the best friend of Tooth's father betrayed them by leading the villagers ta where she and her parents were hiding, and taking her parents hostage leaving Tooth with a horrible choice. Save her parents? Or go and save herself? Tooth went, but when she found her parents, she was unable to carry them both over the angry mob wishing death on the three of them. Tooth parents told her ta go, and she did, shattering her heart into pieces by doing so."

"That's …horrible," Jack gaped.

"Yeah," Aster nodded "but that's not the end of it. For a whole day, Tooth fell into a dark pit of depression, unable ta cry, unable ta speak, she could only sit in her disbelief and unimaginable grief over what had befallen her. Then she remembered a gift her mother had given her, a small pouch with her baby teeth inside and a note from her mother explaining the power held inside a person's baby tooth for containing memories. But one of the teeth wasn't hers, but was one of great power only ta be used in a time of greatest need. Tooth held her pouch, and fell asleep, comforted by the memories held within. Years passed and Tooth eventually began gathering the teeth of other children, becoming the Tooth Fairy."

"But what the tooth of great power?" Jack asked softly.

"Well," Aster continued scratching under his chin "she eventually met the traitorous best friend of her father's, the man who was responsible for killing her parents. The man trapped her in a cage, and was preparing to kill her, but she revealed the magical tooth which not only made the cage disappeared but created the mini fairies. Soon Tooth was leading the swarm of baby fairies, bird women, and jungle animals in a fight against the traitor and his fellow hunters. They won, and now we have Tooth as a Guardian."

Jack nodded, as understanding slowly sunk in "So in a way," the boy said slowly "Tooth knows how Mary feels, because they both lived in India and they both lost their parents, and neither of them could ever truly cry. They also both found refuge in a garden of sorts, so no wonder Tooth feels she can understand her so well."

Bunny nodded "Look kid," he said gently "it ain't pretty, but life rarely is for the truly great and those who have something big in store for 'em. She's gotten over her parent's death, and she's doin' great as a Guardian. Don't pity her mate, just be grateful that she's one of us, and she has a new family now."

Jack nodded, his face lighting up with a grateful smile "Ok,"

…

Toothiana stared at the snack bar, her eyebrows rising higher and higher as her brain processed the sheer amount of junk food piled behind the glass. Pitch walked up behind her, his hands clasped behind his back, and he felt a small chuckle shake his frame.

"While the masses see something delicious," Pitch sneered "I think you see the representation of your personal apocalypse?"

Tooth rolled her eyes as she gave the dark man a reluctant smile "Surprisingly astute Pitch," she laughed softly "and you are correct, I can't believe people actually eat this junk."

"Hmm," Pitch hummed before leaning in close and shielding his mouth with one hand "if I were you, I would keep an eye on your precious winter spirit, I think I saw him grab two of everything."

Toothiana's eyes widened to the size of dish plates as her mouth fell open comically "Please tell me you are joking?"

Pitch shook his head solemnly "And if assumptions are correct, Bunny also grabbed quite a bit for himself, specifically gummies."

Tooth let out a gasp, her delicate hands flying to her mouth as the gears churned in her head "Not gummies?!"

"Indeed," Pitch practically hissed "…Gummies…"

Tooth looked at the dark man before she suddenly noticed that he was holding back a smirk, and his eyes were holding an uncharacteristic twinkle of amusement "OH!" Tooth growled as she punched him playfully on the shoulder "You WERE joking!"

Pitch allowed himself to enjoy a good laugh, though not too good, before returning his gaze to the fairy "I apologize my lady," he smirked "but you have to admit, you make it too easy."

"You're a jerk," Tooth sniffed as she turned away to keep her smile hidden from the boogeyman.

"Tell me something I don't know," the man chuckled.

"Ok," the fairy turned twinkling lavender eyes on Pitch "you're an antisocial dipwad with fashion issues, and an inferiority complex."

"Oh Toothiana," Pitch said with a mock gasp clutching his chest and stumbling backwards a few steps "you wound me!"

Tooth allowed a giggle trill from her throat as she found that she was actually enjoying her conversation with her former enemy "You simply made it easy," she grinned "far too easy I might add."

Pitch allowed a smirk to quirk his mouth and opened his mouth to retort when they were interrupted by a small cough. Turning around, the two saw Bunny and Jack standing there, each holding a look of suspicious amusement on their faces.

"If ya are done flirtin'," Bunny snickered softly "can we get back ta our seats?"

Tooth felt her face heat up and she practically jumped away from Pitch "We were NOT flirting!"

"Riiiight," Jack said wiggling his eyebrows before walking away towards his seat with Bunny.

Pitch coughed, suddenly feeling very awkward and uncomfortable, gesturing with his hand he turned back to the fairy "Shall we then?" he growled.

Tooth let out a nervous laugh before scurrying after the boys, Pitch following a few steps behind, his face creased in thought.

…..

Jack felt a yawn build in the back of his throat, but the winter child bit it back, fighting valiantly to keep his eyes open. They were watching Mary Lennox work on helping her cousin learn how to walk by sneaking him out to the secret garden and helping him build his strength. The story was getting interesting because of the fact that the boy was discovering that the lies about him being weak and liable to die at any time were exactly that, just lies. Jack found the whole thing of the kids fighting against the overprotective housekeeper, as well as Collin's wish to meet his father and make him see that he was worthy of his love. Jack could understand the desperation in Collin's eyes, he had also felt that same need for someone to love him despite his shortcomings. Unfortunately though, it was not enough to keep Jack awake. Jack had eaten all his snacks in the effort to not fall asleep, but the sugar rush was quickly dissipating leaving Jack tired and woozy. That, and the fact that it was the beginning of Jack's next hibernation cycle, made staying awake extremely difficult.

Pitch also was empathizing with the child.

He had lived a life where everyone he knew had preconceived notions about him that he had no choice but to follow. For a long time Pitch had decided that he would be the evil Boogeyman everyone painted him out to be because he had no other choice, no other option to cling to. With those dark thoughts pushing him, Pitch became the monster everyone thought he was, in a strange sadistic hope of proving them right and just giving in; but now that he sat there in the Theatre, watching a child go through a metamorphic change from imprisoned creature of darkness, to a person of strength able to walk in the light without fear of the future. Pitch wanted that, so very badly, but he wasn't sure of he was capable or worthy of such a feat.

Suddenly the dark man was roused from his thoughts by a gentle prodding. Looking over he noticed Bunny grinning, and pointing with one furry finger "Look down," the Pooka mouthed.

The man did, and was surprised to see Jack had fallen asleep on his shoulder, his mouth slightly ajar while breathy snores whispered between his lips. A smirk quirked the boogeyman's mouth and he chuckled softly. Looking back up at Aster he whispered "We win."

Aster grinned as he reached into his pouch and pulled out paint and brushes, while Tooth flew off quickly to grab clothes and makeup. Pitch immediately began quietly discussing theme ideas for Jack's new look with the Pooka, and soon all were busily underway in their part of the bargain.

…..

North marched into the Theatre, his ears picking up on the sound of clapping as he decided the best place to look was the very top balcony so that he could look for Bunny. Walking up the stairs, the large man hummed happily to himself, already thinking on the ideas Bunny may help to inspire when he stopped dead in his tracks at the top of the stairs. There in the balcony, all leaning over the unconscious form of the winter spirit, was Bunny, Tooth, and most shockingly…Pitch!

"Wha-What?!" North stammered "What are you DOING?!"

Bunny's mouth fell open, as his paw stopped in midair, and Tooth froze in place from applying makeup. Pitch straightened up, backing away, his face nervous and twitchy at the sudden appearance of Santa Clause. Giving a heavy gulp of apprehension, the man prepared to melt into the shadows, but stopped at North's yell of "Stop Right THERE, Kozmotis Pitchiner!"

Pitch did a face palm, pausing in his steps and stood like a child awaiting punishment. Bunny soon joined him, as well as Tooth, each waiting for North to begin yelling at them, something in which he did not disappoint.

"All three of you, come with me," he bellowed "I will take Jack, and we will all go back to the workshop and I will hear what I expect to be a VERY good explanation for this!"

"Uh," Pitch said clearing his throat "…even me?"

"YES!" was the shouted reply causing all three to cringe.

Within hours they were all seated in the living room on the couch, each dreading the upcoming talk. North came into the room, having cleaned up Jack and placed him in his room, his face serious as he scrutinized the spirits seated on the cushions.

"So," he said "anyone wish to explain why you are all together and painting Jack, or should I just interrogate each of you separately until I get the truth?"

"Uh," Bunny chuckled nervously "Well…It's a long story…"

"And funny!" Tooth added with a high pitched giggle.

"Plus extremely odd," Pitch coughed into his fist.

"Wonderful," North smiled before returning to his former glare "sounds like a story I would like to hear."

Pitch and Tooth both immediately looked at Bunny making the Pooka cringe "WHAT?!"

"I vote you tell him," Pitch sniffed.

"I concur," Tooth smiled innocently.

"Why?!" the Pooka exclaimed pointing at Pitch "It all started with the rat bag on the other side of the couch, maybe HE should spill his guts on how this came about!"

"Ah," Pitch said raising one finger "but I am a habitual liar, and am therefore untrustworthy, so my telling him would be fruitless."

"Like that's an excuse!"

"CHILDREN!" North bellowed "I do not care who tells me, just as long as I get whole story!"

Bunny glared at Pitch, gesturing with both paws for the boogeyman to begin telling his tale, and finally with a resigned sigh, Pitch began from the beginning from Jack discovering his secret passion for theatre, and the eventual joining of each of the Guardians in the pastime. Eventually he made it to the reason why they had been dressing Jack up in the first place, and all three had failed to notice that North was fighting extremely hard against the smile trying to decorate his serious face. Soon the story was over, and the large man coughed in his hand, turning back to the three who were still awaiting punishment.

"First," the Russian tried to growl in a menacing voice "I think it very rude to take advantage of the fact that it is close to Jack's hibernation cycle, and thus he is very tired, and that alone makes your bet null and void as he was going to fall asleep eventually."

The spirits nodded with acquiescent faces "Secondly, I also think it very rude to do these outings without telling me. Despite your newfound…common interest, I wish I had known so that I would not worry."

Pitch felt his heart suddenly conflicted in unknown and completely foreign emotions. North had yet to address the fact that they were with him, and the boogeyman found it extremely odd not to mention almost frightening. Here he was in the lair of his most hated enemy, at least he thought they were still enemies, and the man had yet to become angry or declare Pitch's immediate defeat. The dark specter pursed his lips in thought realizing that the laid back way North was taking all this greatly disturbed, and even angered, him to no end. It made his stomach twist, and his heart feel like it was being stabbed. Was this pity? Was he so pathetic an enemy that they no longer feared him? Or was it worse, were they simply toying with him, tantalizing him with the temptation of friendship and belonging somewhere until they had him where they wanted him only to crush him beneath their boot?

"And lastly," North was finishing up "I think that if you are going to have same bet with Jack on staying awake through whole play, you should do so during winter so he will not be at disadvantage. So I hereby declare that you are all grounded from plays and the theatre until winter, and then you may once again go out."

"I think tha's fair," Bunny nodded.

"I agree," Tooth sighed "What do you think…Pitch?"

The three Guardians looked at the now fuming Boogeyman who was sitting with his hands clenched at his sides "Uh, Pitch?" Bunny asked slowly "Ya ok mate?"

"DON'T CALL ME MATE!" Pitch bellowed as he stood to his full height "You think that I can't see your game for what it is?!"

"Huh?" Tooth said with confused lavender eyes.

"This game you are all playing," the dark specter hissed his eyes glowing with anger and mistrust "I commend you for your marvelous acting, especially yours Toothiana, I was so close to lowering my guard, but I cannot believe that you are all as ok with this as you seem!"

"What is wrong?" North asked crossing his beefy arms.

"WHAT is WRONG?!" Pitch practically shrieked "THIS is wrong! The fact that I'm sitting in the workshop listening to you give the Guardians permission to go to the theatre with ME is WRONG! You pretending to be OK with it, is WRONG! I cannot trust you because I'm too tainted, and I've done evil, and you cannot possibly have forgiven me for that! This is so impossible, it's WRONG!"

Tooth felt her jaw drop as all three realized that Pitch was fighting not against them, but against himself, though none wished to reveal it to the currently infuriated spirit. Somehow the dark specter was beginning to change, not only in his opinion towards the Guardians, but in his very nature and the side effects of this metamorphose were more painful than the man knew how to handle.

"Pitch," Tooth reached out "it's been years since you attacked us last, and to be honest, I'm tired of constantly fighting. I'm ready to try something new."

"No!" Pitch shouted "No no nononoNO! I will not listen to you, I'm evil, and scum, and things cannot change! They SHOULDN'T change! NO! I will not do this, I will not continue this farce any longer! Go ahead and visit the theatre, but I assure you, I will NOT be there!"

Whirling around, the man stalked away, melting into shadow, and leaving the Guardians behind in dumbfounded silence.

No, this is NOT over!

But everyone was wondering what changed or happened that made Pitch an ally in Visions, and so I'm answering that question. I will probably close this arc by the next chapter.

And once again you guys REVIEW!