Tooth and Pitch emerged into an alley just off High Street the next morning.
Pitch had chosen a dark coat, trousers and boots for the occasion due to the chill in the air.
Beside him, Tooth buttoned her own coat up.
Pitch thought it suited her.
After about an hour of searching he had finally located some old women's clothing in one of the many boxes in the lair he never opened.
Tooth had chosen a black winter coat with a fur collar and a long skirt to hide her feathers. A pair of boots and a black headscarf completed her ensemble.
Pitch thought they looked rather fine together.
Tooth thought they looked like they were going to a funeral but had been unable to find anything else that fitted her so well.
As they emerged onto High Street, Tooth making a determined effort to walk, not hover, they noticed local shops were bedecked in hearts and flowers.
That was when Tooth noticed the banner over the florist's.
'Happy Valentine's Day!'
She looked at Pitch and from the way he was running a palm over his face, knew he had noticed the banner too.
'Why didn't we notice?' Tooth whispered.
'Candy's magic?' Pith theorised, 'Or on a mundane note, probably because we don't have significant others'.
'Either one works', Tooth mused as they began to walk again, 'I've never really paid attention. Have you?'
'Only from a business point of view. Young couples walking alone at night are easy to scare'.
He didn't tell Tooth that the way they held each other closer afterwards always made him fume.
'Makes sense Candy wants the concert to be today then', Tooth said, 'All this love flying around, she'll get another power boost'.
'All the more reason we should get back to those memory sessions'.
Tooth gave his arm a quick, reassuring pat as they turned the corner.
The entrance to Burgess Park was festooned with fake flowers and hearts hung on strings from the arch. People entered after talking to a man in a snappy red suit in a small ticket booth. Children laughed and ran about with heart shaped balloons.
'Don't worry: in, out, back to the lair', Tooth said, seeing Pitch's frown.
It was kind of funny seeing how suspicious and grumpy he became when he saw people enjoying themselves.
'Come on then', she said.
Pitch looked at her offered hand blankly.
'You said it yourself, lots of kids around', Tooth elaborated, 'If we hold hands, they'll hopefully just see us as a young couple enjoying the fair. Just keep your voice down when you talk to me so adults don't get suspicious'.
'Seems you do know a bit about stealth after all', Pitch said, taking her hand, 'I hope this isn't going to be expensive'.
They crossed the road and got into line. There was only a family in front of them. From the noise inside the park, Tooth figured the line had been much longer when the fair had first opened at 6am that morning.
'Look on the bright side: you'll only have to buy one ticket', Tooth said as the family entered the fair and Pitch stepped forward.
'Welcome!' the barker said, 'Welcome to-'
'Yes. Yes', Pitch interrupted, reaching into his coat pocket, 'How much?'
Tooth stifled a smirk.
Pitch really didn't do small talk.
'Whatcha mean friend?' the barker asked.
Pitch bristled at the word 'friend' and repeated more slowly, 'How much?'
'Nothing', the barker smiled, oblivious to Pitch's attitude or too much of a showman to care.
'Don't be ridiculous', Pitch said, 'I just saw you charge that family'.
'Yeah but only for the kids. Couples get in free'.
'Do I look like I'm part of a couple?!' Pitch asked incredulously.
'Well that pretty lady beside you sure seems to think you are', the barker smiled and pointed at Tooth.
Pitch's head swivelled between the barker and Tooth. Tooth's mouth had dropped open and she seemed transfixed by the barker's finger.
'Oh well, that is-', Pitch stammered, for once in his life lost for words.
'It's our first date', Tooth interjected, suddenly beaming and linking her arm with Pitch's.
Pitch's eyes widened and Tooth looked meaningfully at the barker whose face had lit up even more. Pitch gave a curt nod, his heart hammering.
'Really? Well ain't that special!' the barker smiled, 'Don't let me keep you any longer then! Go on, go on, enjoy yourselves! And enjoy the concert tonight!'
Tooth pulled Pitch inside, keeping hold of his arm as they walked.
It soon became obvious that everyone could see Tooth: people walked around her rather than through her and a couple of times, stall owners tried to attract their attention to their Valentine's Day themed products.
'Why can they see you?' Pitch hissed.
'Candy can make them think whatever she wants', Tooth replied, 'She might have put them on alert in case we decided to show up'.
'Looks like the disguise is working', Pitch said.
'Brainwashed people aren't very bright. They're looking for a rainbow fairy flying around. They see me but they don't know who I am'.
They took seats beside a gazebo. Inside, couples were dancing as a DJ on a turntable played various pop songs.
'It's weird', Tooth said.
'What is?' Pitch asked.
'I just realised this is the first time in a long time an adult has seen me', Tooth said with a smile, 'And in broad daylight!'
She giggled and sighed, 'It's almost like being normal you know?'
'Normal is overrated', Pitch said and raised an eyebrow when Tooth started to giggle again.
'What's so funny?' he asked, confused.
The look on his face made Tooth laugh even more.
It was amazing how sweet Pitch could be when he wasn't concentrating.
'It's a carnival Pitch. It's supposed to be fun', Tooth said, getting a grip on the laughing fit, 'So let's try to pretend we're having some'.
'What?' Pitch asked as Tooth stood up and offered her hand again.
'Let's dance', she said and at Pitch's surprised look, whispered, 'I know you can. North's yetis told me you were very Fred Astaire at Easter'.
She was rewarded with Pitch's cheeks flushing scarlet.
'Need I remind you we're here to look for Candy?' he grumbled.
'I know but I never get to do things like this', Tooth said, 'Please?'
Pitch tutted in annoyance and took her hand.
'Fine. One dance', he said as they entered the gazebo, then he heard the music, 'Ugh, it's a love song'.
'It's Valentine's Day Pitch', Tooth said, rolling her eyes, 'Just be glad it's not Candy's song'.
Pitch put an arm around Tooth's waist and took her hand while Tooth put her other hand on his shoulder.
Pitch knew the song well enough to keep time (one of the numerous love ballads from the 80's) and took the lead, steering Tooth between the other couples.
'Very light on your feet', he commented, 'Part of being part bird I suppose'.
'That and I dance sometimes', Tooth admitted, 'Never had a partner before though'.
'Why dance with me?' Pitch asked after hesitating briefly.
He twirled Tooth under his arm as she replied, 'I don't know. Just felt like being spontaneous. We can stop if-'
'No', Pitch interjected, 'It's fine. Besides you're not too bad'.
'Hey!' Tooth said indignantly, 'I never said I was an expert'.
Pitch laughed but then stopped as if an idea had occurred to him.
Tooth looked up at him quizzically and saw him looking back at her.
'You might find it easier like this', Pitch said and began to reach around her.
'What are you doing?' Tooth asked, a flutter in her chest as Pitch pulled her close so she ended up with her face resting on his shoulder. She could feel his heartbeat and felt her face heat up as she realised it was racing. She felt his arms encircle the small of her back.
'Being spontaneous', was Pitch's response, 'Put your arms around my neck'.
Tooth obliged and they began to move to the music again.
'This is easier', Tooth conceded.
'It's because of our height difference', Pitch explained, 'It's a bit more comfortable than the other way'.
'It is', Tooth said and they danced the rest of the song in silence.
She was sorry to hear the music winding down and as the last note ended, Pitch abruptly let her go.
'Come on then, back to business', he said, descending the steps to the outside of the gazebo.
'More like back to reality', his inner voice said.
He felt Tooth take his hand and stopped to allow her to catch up.
'Thanks for the dance', she said, smiling up at him.
'You're welcome', Pitch said, trying to ignore his heart starting to speed up again, 'Don't tell anybody'.
'I promise', Tooth laughed, 'Ferris wheel then?'
Pitch raised an eyebrow.
'Best vantage point in the fair', Tooth said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Pitch nodded: couldn't argue with that.
As the ferris wheel began to start up, Pitch asked, 'You knew Candy before all this. Is there anything that could be useful to us?'
Tooth kicked her legs as they dangled slightly above the floor of the carriage. She had taken a seat across from Pitch who was scanning the environment as they rose.
'I barely recognise her', Tooth said, 'When I last saw her she seemed so happy'.
'What is her function exactly?' Pitch asked.
'To help people fall in love', Tooth explained, 'Her arrows help people see the beauty in others and her music helps people remember the good times they're have together. I didn't realise it could be so dangerous'.
'How many times have you heard parents tell children there's nothing hiding in the dark? Just because something looks harmless doesn't mean it is'.
Tooth chose not to comment on Pitch's statement.
'She was always so cheerful', she said, 'Something must've happened'.
'Forgive me if I don't appear overtly sympathetic', Pitch sniffed.
'She's not a bad person Pitch'.
'Every villain is a hero in their own mind'.
'Including you?' Tooth asked, a little frustrated.
Despite everything, she was still finding Pitch hard to read.
One minute he was a gentleman, the next a pantomime villain. Often he was both at once.
'I'm not that deluded', Pitch smiled unpleasantly, 'And neither are you, no matter how good a dancer I am'.
Tooth didn't know how to respond so chose to say what she could see outside: 'I can see the stage'.
Pitch was slightly disappointed in the lack of usual verbal jousting from Tooth but didn't let it show as he looked in the direction Tooth was indicating.
This time, the stage that the town had used at Halloween had been erected further away from the main stalls and rides and a large wooden boarded fence had been built around it to encircle it. They could see workmen milling about, erecting decorative pillars and checking wiring.
A large figure they could easily see was North was talking into a megaphone and waving his arms as he directed a forklift truck carrying large metal pipes. There was no sign of the other Guardians or Candy herself.
A huge pale pink RV sat near the treeline some distance from the stage with Candy's symbol on the side.
Tooth memorised the layout of the area.
'Candy's trailer's the best place to start looking for your teeth', Tooth said as the carriage began to descend, 'But we're going to have to be sneaky'.
'Music to my ears', Pitch smiled.
After exiting the ferris wheel, the pair made for the shelter of nearby trees and crept around to the front entrance where vehicles and workmen were coming and going. There were also a number of reporters and other media representatives milling about, taking pictures.
Jack Frost was lounging against the side of the entrance, looking bored as he drew pictures in the dirt with his staff.
'Security's very lax', Tooth commented as she scanned the boundary, 'Only one we need to worry about is Jack'.
'How do we get past him?' Pitch asked.
As Tooth analysed the terrain, she noticed Jack lift a finger to his ear. She saw him give a brief nod and begin to stroll away, casually twirling his staff.
'We have our window', Pitch said, 'It would be unwise to waste it'.
'I guess so', Tooth said, bothered by the convenience of Jack leaving, 'Best not use the obvious way in though'.
Pitch smiled at her.
'You're learning'.
Allowing a few minutes for Jack to leave the vicinity, the two broke cover and walked past the entrance. They pushed aside some bushes to an area of the boundary that wasn't immediately visible from the fair.
Pitch was tall enough to pull himself up and peek quickly over the boundary.
There was a substantial pile of cardboard boxes on the other side: big enough to hide them as they climbed over.
He dropped back down and gave Tooth a thumbs up.
As he knelt down, hands cupped together to help Tooth over (concerned that Tooth could attract attention by flying) he was surprised to hear her say: 'Pitch, we should split up. How about you take the stage and I take the trailer?'
'That is not a good idea', Pitch said.
'Why not?'
'You don't watch very many horror films do you? Besides, the last time you said that I ended up having to ride in and save you remember?'
'I know but what are the odds Jack would be called away at the exact minute we were trying to get in here?' Tooth asked, the concern in her voice obvious, 'Don't you think this is a bit too easy?
'The thought had occurred to me but as you say, the brainwashed are rarely known for their brainpower'.
'But Candy isn't brainwashed', Tooth stressed, 'I don't think she knows we're working together and we should keep that ace in the hole as long as possible. They may be expecting one of us but not both. If something goes wrong in here, one of us may be able to help the other'.
Pitch considered Tooth's argument and finally nodded. Tooth put a foot into his hands and he boosted her over.
'We meet back here in twenty minutes', she whispered through the fence as she landed.
'Agreed', came Pitch's muffled response, 'I'll come over once you're clear'.
Tooth nodded and began to make her way to the trailer, keeping to the ample cover afforded by boxes and vehicles.
The trailer door was unlocked.
That was a bad sign.
Tooth slowly eased it open and scanned the interior.
Nobody was home.
Leaving the door ajar, she quickly located the teeth.
They lay under the coffee table where Candy had thrown them when Sandy had brought them to her from the Tooth Palace.
Tooth picked up the teeth, simultaneously gratified and worried that they didn't burn her.
This was definitely too easy.
Nothing had happened when she had picked up the teeth but that was no guarantee this wasn't a trap.
It felt like a trap.
The teeth were definitely Pitch's but there was something odd about the aura she could sense from the box. It felt subdued, almost as if it were asleep.
She looked at the box as her mind raced.
She couldn't leave them here. But she didn't want to give them to Pitch either.
If this was some kind of plan by Candy then she wanted Tooth to give Pitch his teeth for some reason. Why else would the door be unlocked and the teeth left lying around? She refused to believe Candy would be that lax about something so important. They needed to be checked for harmful magic.
What was worse was Tooth wasn't sure Pitch would listen to her if she tried to explain why he couldn't have them back right away. Most likely, he'd just take them, desperate to be his old self again and damn the consequences.
Making a decision, Tooth stuffed the box into the pocket of her coat.
The thought of not telling him made her feel like there was a weight in her stomach. It was wrong to lie to him. She trusted him. Didn't she?
Yes. Despite everything he had done, she did. She at least trusted him to help her stop Candy.
The best way to do that was with the memory sessions: they were slower but she knew they were safe.
She didn't want to take the chance of Pitch getting hurt.
Because she needed him to help her stop Candy.
She sighed at the last thought.
It was more than that and she knew it but she latched onto it.
Just because she felt a certain way didn't mean he did.
She didn't even know if he felt anything! Maybe it was all a big act to get her to lower her guard and-
She physically slapped herself.
That kind of thinking wasn't helping. She had to focus.
Standing back up, her eye was drawn to a large map pinned up on the wall above a desk littered with scraps of paper and sticky notes. Her foot crunched on scrunched up pages discarded carelessly on the floor as she walked closer. The map's lettering was in gold ink and as Tooth watched, the alien letters changed.
It was a lunar chart!
She didn't dare take it from the wall (it was so big Candy would notice immediately if it suddenly went missing) but looking at it closely, she committed the letters she could see to memory. When the letters changed again she memorised those in turn until she was sure she had examined every inch of the map. She didn't understand it but thanks to her eidetic memory would be able to sketch it with perfect clarity. Hopefully Pitch would recognise it.
Disturbed by this discovery and the sticky note bearing the day's date and the time of the concert stuck on one of the corners, Tooth hastened out of the trailer to the rendezvous point, thinking they had underestimated just exactly what Candy was up to.
Meanwhile, Pitch had managed to pickpocket a media pass from an unsuspecting radio host just in case but, like Tooth was keeping out of the way. He didn't care about humans seeing him but did not want any Guardians to become aware of his presence.
He hadn't been able to see anything of the stage as it was covered by a gigantic pair of red velvet curtains and North had taken up position in the centre making it impossible for him to get close.
That left backstage as the only option.
He preferred it anyway: it would be nice and dark there.
Like the main entrance, the door wasn't guarded and he slipped inside easily, closing the door behind him to hide the fact he was trespassing.
The stage had been enlarged since Halloween and painted in purples, reds and pinks.
A large circular metal barrier curved around the stage: it reminded Pitch of an amphitheatre and it had strange runes carved into it. Pitch recognised it as lunar writing but devoid of the magic necessary to make it work. He also didn't recognise the incantation: it read like gibberish.
He tried to make it out: C, A, G.
Before he could get further, he heard a strange clanking sound from above him, Looking up, he barely had time to throw himself forward into a roll to avoid a falling sandbag.
As he leapt to his feet, something else swooped down from above.
Grabbing a nearby wooden pole with both hands, Pitch speared the figure through the centre with such force it split in half. Then he followed up with a savage blow that severed the figure's head.
Adrenaline wearing off, Pitch looked at the fallen shape and realised it was (or had been) a cardboard cut-out of an angel.
'You're an even better fighter than Sandy said Kozmotis', came a voice from above him.
Candy's voice.
'You must have me confused with someone else', Pitch said, trying to catch a glimpse of her.
'Sorry. You just look so like him'.
Suddenly the stage was illuminated with harsh spotlights and Pitch blinked as his eyes watered. As his vision cleared, he saw Candy leaning against the main power lever for the lights.
'Lemme tell ya, it's not a bad view', she said appraisingly, making a show of looking him up and down.
'No entourage then?' Pitch asked, looking around for the Guardians.
'Busy getting ready for tonight. How'd you get in?'
'The door. You didn't make it very difficult', Pitch said, reassured it didn't seem to be a trap after all.
'Wasn't expecting such a bold tactic: I'm impressed. You enjoying the festival?'
'Not my thing I'm afraid'.
'No you're not. You're not afraid of anything are you?'
'It's part of my job'.
Candy nodded.
'So is your alliance with Tooth part of the job or for pleasure?'
Her smile grew as Pitch's eyes widened for a split second before becoming cold once more.
'Don't be shy', she said, waving a finger, 'I know you're working together. Heck, you don't have much choice do you?'
'Enemy of my enemy'.
'Must be awkward', Candy said with mock concern.
'I'm coping', Pitch said with gritted teeth.
'I think it's more than that', Candy smirked, eyes flashing mischievously, 'In fact I know it's more than that. I always know'.
Pitch forced a mocking laugh but it didn't seem to phase Candy. It annoyed him to see her smile grow wider.
'I knew you were foolish', he said, 'I didn't realise you were insane'.
'Hmm, which one of us is more irrational?' Candy asked, walking towards him, 'Me, the one who knows you don't have a chance with her or you, who's thinking that she might actually like being around you?'
Pitch didn't respond and kept his makeshift weapon raised. Candy leapt effortlessly off the floor and using her magic began to walk along it, one small foot after the other, arms unnecessarily thrown wide for balance.
'It's only because of my magic you know: she likes you now but that's because you're not you'.
'I don't care if she likes me or not', Pitch snarled, skin crawling as he felt her sickening aura draw closer, 'You should be more worried about how much I hate you'.
'Now who's the liar?' Candy asked, coming to a stop on the pole and kneeling so she was looking right at him, 'At least when you were the Boogeyman you had a spine'.
Pitch growled and swept the pole upwards. Candy laughed at the defiant act and took flight, her ghostly wings materializing at her back. She hovered above him, the light catching on her see through wings as they flapped gently.
'What do you want?' Pitch demanded.
'What makes you think I want anything?' Candy asked, flying around him in a slow circle.
'Because you wouldn't be wasting time dancing around me and talking if you didn't', Pitch said, keeping her in sight, 'I know how this works. I've been doing it far longer than you have'.
'What I want is for you and Tooth to leave me alone. So I'm offering a present'.
Candy placed the palms of her hands together and slowly drew them apart. A silver arrow gradually manifested until Candy was holding it with a finger placed upon its sharp tip. Pitch saw it shine with a pale pink light. One of Candy's love arrows no doubt.
He bent his knees in a defensive pose.
'The slightest scratch will do the trick', Candy said, stroking the shaft with her fingers, 'A second of pain for her but a lifetime of happiness for you'.
Candy threw the arrow like a dart and with surprising speed, it embedded itself in the wooden board at Pitch's feet. He stared at it then up at Candy who shrugged impassively.
'I won't get in your way if you don't get in mine. Making love happen is my job after all. No matter the odds'.
Pitch yanked the arrow out of the board. It felt tingly in his hands and he swallowed as he heard Tooth's song begin to play in his head. He felt warm and light headed.
The love magic was making his head feel heavy and dull.
'I told you I can make dreams come true. Why shouldn't the monster get the girl once in a while?'
Yes. Why not?
Pitch twirled the arrow in his fingers.
Tooth must feel something for him already.
Why else would she have asked to dance with him?
Candy floated down behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
'I'm not going to miss it. I've got plenty more and I'd rather not destroy you both if I don't have to'.
Pitch's mouth became dry as he quashed the impulse to say yes.
No.
This was wrong.
He would never admit it out loud but Pitch knew what he felt for Tooth.
And he'd be damned if anybody would ever interfere with it!
Pitch snapped the arrow in half, shaking his head.
'Don't tell me you're growing a conscience now', Candy laughed, 'That's even funnier than you thinking anybody could ever love-'
Pitch suddenly grabbed her hand. Using the arrowhead like a dagger as he turned, he sliced Candy's wing like tissue paper. Candy cried out in pain and fell to the ground, her wing seizing due to the damage.
Pitch was gratified to see Candy's benevolent façade vanish as she glared at him with pure, undisguised shock and hatred.
'Love hurts doesn't it?' Pitch snarled and ran, stuffing the arrowhead into his coat.
Candy scrambled to her knees and looked in horror at her wing. The damage would regenerate but fury filled her at Pitch's defiance.
'You idiot! You think she has any interest in you other than your help?!' she screamed, fruitlessly throwing pieces of broken cardboard at Pitch's retreating back, 'Tooth's not stupid! The best way to get you to do what she says is to make you think she cares!'
Candy reeled to her feet and ran after Pitch. She burst out of the backstage door into daylight but it was too late. Pitch was nowhere to be seen.
'News flash: she doesn't give a damn about you!' she shrieked, 'When you were the Boogeyman she could barely stand to look at you!'
Grabbing a nearby box to steady herself, she ran a hand through her dishevelled hair. Pink glittery liquid dripped from her crippled wing onto the ground. Breathing heavily, she suddenly began to laugh, eyes wild.
'Why am I so upset? It doesn't matter anyway', she whispered feverishly, 'Go on! Crawl back under your rock! After tonight you won't have a choice but to join me'.
She spun around in a circle, scattering more of her sparkling blood so it formed a grisly circle.
'You'll come to me on your knees begging for forgiveness and you know what?!' Candy cried, 'I'll laugh in your face! You hear me?!'
'Candy! What's goin' on?'
Candy stopped spinning as she saw Bunny leap out of a hole in the ground. Her hysterical laughter instantly stopped.
'Why the hell aren't you at your post?!' she snapped, her radiant smile vanishing, 'And why isn't Jack at the entrance?! Why is nobody where they're supposed to be?!'
'I heard noises so I came running. Are you alright?' Bunny asked, concern in his eyes, 'You're hurt!'
'No I'm not alright!' Candy screamed, slapping his paw away, 'No thanks to any of you! If Pitch got in then Tooth's here too! I want them found! Now!'
Bunny ran to obey, upset by Candy's unstable mood but also gratified that he had done the right thing. He just hoped Tooth had had time to take Pitch's teeth from the trailer that Bunny had 'forgotten' to lock earlier. He also hoped he would find Pitch before he could sneak away, anger bubbling inside him at the fact that Pitch had still managed to harm Candy despite his careful planning. If Pitch was willing to hurt someone as sweet as Candy, he truly was poison.
Tooth heard the commotion of people shouting as she hid in the bushes outside the boundary.
She tensed as she heard someone's footsteps but relaxed as she saw Pitch jump the fence and duck down beside her in the bushes.
'Are you alright?' Tooth asked.
'I got careless', Pitch lied, 'I think North spotted me on the way out. Anything in the trailer?'
'There was a lunar chart on the wall Pitch'.
'A lunar chart?'
'I think Candy's up to more than we think'.
'So no sign of my teeth?'
Tooth nearly flinched at the earnestness in Pitch's voice.
It was for the greater good.
As soon as she was sure they were safe, she'd give them to him.
'The teeth weren't there', she lied, 'Did you find anything?'
'No', Pitch lied again, the arrowhead weighing heavily in his pocket, 'But the design of the stage worries me'.
'The two might be connected. Let's get back. Think we've caused enough of a commotion for now'.
'For now', Pitch agreed darkly, following Tooth into the trees.