Step in Line

"Rise and shine!" Toothiana cheerily called when morning arrived. She grabbed onto Pitch's bed covers and pulled them back. Due to the events that happened the night before, North had allowed Pitch to sleep in later.

Pitch had had horrible nightmares of North and all the other guardians reflecting the past day but in a much more malicious light where they all had laughed at him and found joy in his suffering. He had had a particularly biting segment with Toothinia where instead of being kind she had been cruel and hateful to him telling him that no one could ever really care about him. He had woken with a start clutching his pillow tightly to himself unable to go back to sleep.

The nightmare had left him in a sour mood, and Toothinia busting in to his room and snatching his covers off didn't help as he snatched them back in a huff and pulling the comforter to himself tightly he grumbled, "I don't 'shine!' Why can't you people just walk in and address someone without making it a theatrical event."

Smiling, Tooth flew up to Pitch and pinched at his nose and cheek. "Aw, come on, grumpy. You can't stay in bed all day."

He swatted her away, "Cut that out!" Thinking further on her words he grouched, "If only I could stay in bed all day and avoid all of you." He sighed now, "So North has you bringing me my 'list' now," he hissed the word list in obvious disdain.

"Yes," she replied, pulling out a piece of paper and holding it up. "He also appointed me to watch over you to make sure you do everything on it... without the elves' help. I had a long talk with him earlier, and we both came to an agreement that you need someone to oversee you. So I volunteered for the job."

Pitch's face darkened in both shame and anger that the two had decided that he'd need a chaperone. He sat up against the headboard wincing a little as his sore bottom chafed against the bed which only embittered him further as he crossed his arms tightly against himself squinting hatefully at the bedsheets as he snapped, "I can do the list on my own; I don't need …a babysitter!"

"Oh, I'm not going to be a 'babysitter'. I'm just going to be your… uh…" she searched for the right word. "Supervisor! Yes, that's it!" her eyes wandered to the tray on the nightstand. "You didn't eat your cookies last night?"

Looking at her now with scorn he complained, "I don't need you to watch over me." Glancing back to the tray his frown deepened, "I decided I didn't want them after all."

"Oh…" Tooth sounded hurt. "Well, it doesn't matter. I'll take the tray to the kitchen." She fluttered over and picked it up. "Meet me there and you can begin today's work." With that, she flew out of the room.

Pitch sneered watching her leave and not wanting to follow her, he sat there, arms crossed and pouting, for some time before deciding he also didn't want North to come and give him a physical reminder that he needed to do his chores either. Tossing the blankets aside angrily, Pitch slid out of bed and stormed down the hallway towards the kitchen.

He made it to the kitchen and moved inside looking around for Toothinia wearing his deep frown in an obvious show of his unhappiness, as if anyone around could guess any different by the way he blustered about.

Toothiana was hovering by the large sink near the back wall. When she caught sight of Pitch, she waved him over, smiling like the whole thing was a grand adventure.

Pitch made his way over to where Toothinia beckoned a very unenthusiastic look plastered on his face as he waited for her to tell him what she had planned for him.

She finished filling the sudsy bucket that was setting in the sink and lifted it out with some difficulty. "The first job on the list is scrubbing the floors in these rooms." she handed Pitch the list.

His lip curled and he glared at the bucket as if it had personally offended him, "Hmm. And what exactly am I supposed to scrub it with? I hope you don't expect me to get down on my hands and knees to wallow in this filth!"

"With these," Tooth offered him a sponge and a scrub brush. "And, yes, you will have to get down on hands and knees, unless you know of another way."

Pitch bared his teeth, "That one chore will take hours! And I am not going to do it with those!" He pointed furiously at the sponge and scrub brush, but his indignation disappeared with a shrill yelp as one of Sandman's dreamsand whips lashed out to strike Pitch with a solid snap that caused Pitch to jump a foot off the ground grabbing his bottom, eyes wide as he spun around in a flash.

Sandy wore an admonishing glare as he waged a finger at Pitch pointing to Tooth obviously not liking the tone Pitch had been taking with her.

Pitch blanched backing away nervously. His face still wore a look of surprised shock and awe.

Sandy pointed next to the tools in Toothinia's hands and folded his arms as he watched the bogeyman reproachfully.

Pitch's lip quivered, but he timidly reached out to the tools and grabbed them. His face flushed, and he looked at the floor now knowing this was not a fight he was going to win. Kneeling down on to the ground, he placed the sponge into the bucket and sloshed some of the water onto the floor as he began scrubbing in unenthusiastic circles.

Even though Tooth was relieved that Pitch finally obeyed, she still turned an annoyed glare at Sandy. She flew up to hover beside him, "You didn't have to do that." she whispered.

Sandy seemed confused not understanding what he'd done wrong. He waved a hand towards Pitch who had his head down scrubbing apathetically as if that was enough to show that he was doing what he was told without backtalk which was what Sandy thought to be an ideal condition.

Pitch avoided eye contact as he scowled at the work in front of him. He scrubbed in silence looking both angry and on the verge of tears for being publically humiliated again. He hated them for doing this to him. It seemed like every time he thought he'd fallen to his lowest, something like this would happen and prove him sorely wrong.

"There's got to be another way of doing it without... spanking." she said.

Sandy frowned looking at a loss. He tilted his head forming a question mark over his head and then a picture of Toothinia and Pitch to hear what she thought was a better idea concerning Pitch.

Pitch had been slowly making his way across the kitchen floor as they spoke, but at this rate, he would literally be doing it for half the day.

Tooth shrugged, rolling her eyes. "I don't know! But there's got to be something that isn't so cruel." She gave Sandy a curious look. "Did North send you here?"

Sandy looked at her curiously obviously not in agreement but unhappy that Tooth was so bothered by North's decided learning path for Pitch. Registering her question, Sandy shook his head yes and depicted a picture of Toothinia gathering teeth to tell her he would relive her for a little while to take care of what she needed to. She had plenty of minions to perform her tasks without her, but Toothinia liked to be hands on these days since their last encounter with Pitch showed her what she'd been missing.

Sighing, Tooth relented. She looked down at Pitch again, watching as he painstakingly scrubbed around the base of one of the kitchen counters, "Alright," she nodded at last. "Thanks," With a smile, she patted Sandy's shoulder and flew out of the room, dodging one of the yetis.

Pitch lifted his head as he heard Toothinia flutter towards the door before glancing back to Sandy worriedly wishing fiercely that she hadn't left him alone with the dream weaver.

Sandy examining the progress Pitch had made grabbed the list that Toothinia had left next to the sink. Unrolling it, Sandy grimaced. At this rate, Pitch would never finish the list. Sandy pointed to the list and formed the picture of a sun setting and the moon coming up to signify Pitch was moving much too slowly.

Pitch glowered at the little yellow man, "What do you want from me? I'm going as fast as I'm going to doing menial work for you people."

Sandy lifted an eyebrow, rolled the list up, and conjured a dream whip.

Upon seeing what Sandy was meaning to do, Pitch picked up his pace considerably, "No! No! Okay, I'll move faster!" Pitch sighed dejectedly, not only was he going to be forced to slave away, but now he was going to have to do so in a timely fashion to satisfy his wardens.

The day went on as Sandy oversaw Pitch's work, and any opposition Pitch made was quickly brokered with a quick swat or two until Pitch didn't test Sandy any further trying to hurry through the chores just to get away from him. He breathed a sigh of relief when all the chores were finally finished.

Once they were done, Sandy ushered Pitch to North's office to let him know that Pitch had completed his list for once on his own.

North sat behind his desk, perusing a long list of names. He looked up when he heard his office door open, and smiled at seeing Sandy and Pitch enter, "Ah! Come in!" he put the list down. "So how goes everything?"

Sandy came in handing North the list and giving a thumbs up.

Pitch didn't speak standing with slumped shoulders and staring at the floor feeling rather downtrodden and cornered by the two people that seemed to have no problem taking him in hand with a quickness.

Sandy frowned looking at Pitch before turning towards North depicting a picture of Pitch working really slowly and Sandy giving him a lash and Pitch moving much more quickly as a reason Pitch might be acting so sulky.

Pitch would have been mortified to see the mime's work if he hadn't been staring at the ground still hoping to be dismissed in quick order to get away from them.

North smiled and nodded at Sandy's explanation, "Good to hear that work has been done." he looked in Pitch's direction, raising an eyebrow, "And done properly this time." he looked back at Sandy. "Will you be available tomorrow?"

Pitch inwardly raged at the 'done properly' remark as he shot a glare North's way, "Yes, you're slowly beating my spirit down to do you're bidding. Congratulations."

Sandy looked Pitch's way momentarily before rolling his eyes and turning back to North with a sigh and a sad look shaking his head no. It took a lot for Sandy to come over to volunteer to monitor Pitch being he had a lot more on his plate than the rest of the guardians having to not only work nightly, but he was the only one doing his job.

North scowled at Pitch. "One more remark like that and you will regret it. A good trip over knee should help that spiteful tongue of yours." He turned back to Sandy and nodded. "I understand. Thank you for helping out today."

Pitch scowled wanting to say much more, but instead asked sulkily, "The work has been done, can I go now?" He was careful to hold back from saying anything else that might be deemed as reason enough to spank him. He was more tired now than he ever remembered being having never had a need to really do physical labor throughout the past three thousand years of being a spirit, but Pitch planned to dedicate himself to turning North's manor upside down to find a way to escape in his free time. He had decided after one day of this drudgery that he would go mad if he had to do it for any amount of time, and the thought of facing another spanking for something as little as voicing his opinion was just too horrible to imagine as an existence.

"No, you stay here." North said to Pitch. He turned a smile to Sandy, who was already beginning to fall asleep. "You may go, if you like."

Sandy shook awake before giving North a tired smile and materializing a hat to say his goodbyes as he saw himself out.

Pitch was aghast that North wasn't letting him leave, and after Sandy had left he approached North's desk, "But why? You said I could do as I wished when the work was done?" His voice was tight and heavily laced with disappointment.

North rolled his eyes upward at the ceiling and sighed. "Pitch,"

"What!? Sandy just told you that I finished your list, why do I have to stay here?" Pitch exclaimed heatedly not understanding why he was being held back from leaving.

North glowered at the boogeyman. "If you must know, I AM going to let you go. I was keeping you longer because I want to congratulate you on completing a day's work. I'm proud of you for doing it honestly this time."

Pitch scoffed at North's remark of honesty as if toiling away in North's manor was really something to be proud of. Pitch's lip curled as he responded sarcastically, "Yes. Well then I'm so happy I could make you proud of me. May I go now?"

North scowled. "I was going to let you go, but now I wonder if you don't need trip over knee, seeing that your attitude needs some adjustments."

Pitch's grimacing expression dropped quickly as he shook his head looking quite contrite, "No, no. That won't be necessary!"

North was silent a few minutes, contemplating. Finally, he nodded for Pitch to leave.

Pitch let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding as he quickly turned to flee North's office.

Pitch had no plans of going back to his room anytime soon having finally gotten his freedom and wanting to continue exploring. It hit him then, North's office. The fat man likely had blue prints stored in there somewhere as he seemed to be fastidious in that way. Pitch's mind worked thinking of all the possible ways he could gain his freedom. He had noticed several drawn out plans for various toys and even for a new sleigh. There was also the sleigh, if he could get down to wherever Santa's sleigh was kept or even better, he could just grab one of the flying reindeer! Pitch was an experienced rider, how difficult could riding one of them be? So that was what he would do, search about for the entrance to North's stables, and by the time they had woken he'd be long gone.

"Sooo I hear you actually did some work today." Jack's voice came from behind Pitch.

Having just about all he could stand for one day, Pitch spun on Jack sneering, "Why you little ingrate! What would you know about work? Other than flitting about giving people frostbite, what is your purpose? Fear is at least beneficial to mankind, can you say the same? Now, for the last time, get away from me! I don't now, nor will I ever wish you in my presence!" Pitch stormed away saying this last bit simply to cut since the boy seemed so bent on making his life miserable.

Jack stood, scratching his head and watching as Pitch walked down the corridor. "What did I say?"

Pitch glared at him as he continued down the hall, "You enjoy my plight don't you? Find it funny even? Let me tell you that you wouldn't be laughing if you were going through it!" Pitch was feeling very sore and sorry for himself. Every day here just seemed to get worse for him. All he could think about now was getting away to anywhere but here.

"What did I say?" Jack repeated, shouting it louder where Pitch could hear.

Baring his teeth, Pitch stopped to look at the winter sprite as if he had two heads, "Are you really that daft?" He strode up to him pointing a finger in his chest now as he spoke, "Your little comment about me actually doing work! You think I deserve this kind of treatment don't you! Let's all have one big laugh at the Boogeyman's expense! Well let me tell you now; it won't last, and when I get the chance, you'll all pay for what you've done to me!"

Jack's eyebrows rose and he backed up next to the wall. "Okay, okay, I didn't mean anything by it. Chill!"

Seemingly appeased by Jack's apology, Pitch straightened composing himself, "I'm sure you didn't." Thinking the boy might be useful by knowing his way around Santa's workshop much better than he, Pitch smiled, "I'll tell you what, you can make it up to me by giving me a tour of this place. I'm sure you know where all the best spots are to see here."

"Uh, shouldn't North be the one to do that? I mean, this is his place and all. I'll admit that I don't know as much as he does." said Jack.

Pitch gave him a side long glance looking rather aloof now, "Oh, you know North is always so busy, besides, didn't you mention that you were all about 'fun'," Pitch quoted the word before continuing. He had begun to pace around the youth as he spoke now, "I figured if anyone could show me a good time around here, it would have to be you right?"

Jack studied Pitch as he thought over his words.

"Well? What do you say? I've got the rest of the day free," Pitch gave him his most winning smile now.

When he thought about it, Jack didn't see any harm in it. A simple tour around the place might just be what Pitch needed to get his mind off things. Plus if he was going to keep doing work for the big man, he would need to be familiar with the layout. Besides, North wanted them to keep an eye on him. This would be a chance to do all of the above.

Finally Jack shrugged and smiled. "Why not?"

Pitch's smile broadened, "After you."

Jack led Pitch around to many of the different areas that Pitch had already explored and others that were of no interest, finally after two hours of moving about listening to the boy yap on about his adventures with bringing kids 'joy,' Pitch felt they were going nowhere fast and worked to nudge Jack in the direction he needed, "You know what would be exciting? I've always been interested in seeing one of North's reindeer up close. Can we go to the stables?"

Jack lifted an eyebrow, thinking Pitch's request to be odd, "Are you serious?" he let out a laugh. "You've always wanted to see Santa's reindeer?"

Pitch frowned looking slightly flustered, "Is that really such an eccentric idea? Will you take me to see them or not?"

"Yeah, I will, but it just never struck me as something the boogeyman would want to do." Jack continued to smirk.

Pitch crossed his arms as he spat condescendingly, "Yes, yes, because you know me oh so well."

Jack held up his hands. "Relax. No need to be so touchy. Sheesh." Jack continued walking, leading Pitch to the stables.

Pitch was grateful the boy finally acquiesced to his plea as he took note of the directions to get there as well as making sure to look over Jack's shoulder as he punched in the key code that unlocked the inner hallway that led to the stables. The snorts of the huge beasts could be heard now as they approached the stalls and Pitch's grin grew.

This was going to be a piece of cake he thought. Pitch marveled at their size as the reindeer finally came into view. He hadn't remembered them being so big, but then again, he hadn't really paid them much mind before. He did really like horses though, and these creatures didn't seem much different he thought as he reached out a hand tentatively to touch the creature's snout. Surprisingly the reindeer walked toward the boogeyman with no fear leaning its head down over the stall and allowing Pitch to caress it. He actually genuinely smiled now as the reindeer nudged in to him, "Easy boy, easy," he whispered softly as he continued to caress its muzzle.

"You seem to have a way with animals." said Jack, mesmerized by the sight before him. "Who would have thought it of the boogeyman?"

Pitch shot Jack a glare, "Not all animals, I've just always had an affinity to the equine." The reindeer seeming to enjoy the affection and perhaps sensing some deep seeded need for reciprocated affection laid its head lower to allow Pitch to get closer. Pitch's brow furrowed wondering now why in particular he seemed to bond with equestrian creatures as he had no recollection of spending time with these animals in particular where he'd been able to bond whereas most other animals steered clear of him. He laid his head against the beast now just stroking it gently as he pondered.

Maybe this is what Pitch needed, Jack thought as he continued to watch the nightmare king bond with the reindeer. He leaned against his staff, deep in thought. There had to be a shred of good still inside Pitch, but it was going to take a lot to bring it to the surface. First of all, Pitch was going to have to be willing to change. After everything that had happened so far, that didn't seem possible. But then Jack got an idea, "Would you like to take care of the reindeer? As part of your work?" Jack asked. "I mean, I'm not in a position to give you that job or anything, but if you want me to I can suggested it to North."

The last thing Pitch wanted was for Frost to tip North off that he'd been out here to see his reindeer. He straightened giving the animal one more caress before backing away shaking his head, "No, no. Just coming out here to see them was nice enough. We… we can go back now." They had spent enough time out here for Pitch to lay eyes on where the reins were kept, and the night would be falling in a few more hours which Pitch thought would be a perfect time to sneak back out here.

"Alright, suit yourself." Jack said. "I just thought it would make your stay here a little better."

Pitch was actually sincerely touched as he gave the boy a small smile, "I appreciate the gesture, but shoveling manure doesn't exactly sound like something that would make me feel better."

Jack rolled his eyes and shook his head. Always the negative Pitch, "Come on, then. Let's get back before North comes looking for us."

Yes, Pitch definitely didn't want North to discover them here of all places especially since he meant to head back within hours once the sun had set and darkness covered the area.

The two of them made it back, and Pitch was relieved that no one seemed the wiser. Having gotten what he needed from Frost he commented off-handedly, "Well it's been interesting Frost. I'll be taking my leave now." As he said this Pitch started walking off towards his room to wait until the workshop had quieted down enough for him to make his move.

Jack Frost stood in the middle of the hallway and watched as Pitch disappeared. His face was frozen in an expression of thought as he pondered the strange adventure he had just had with the boogeyman, "I wonder what he's up to." he whispered to himself before turning to walk off in the opposite direction.

Pitch paced back and forth as he waited, and as he waited, a nervousness began to build in him thinking on whether or not he should wait longer or go now. No one else had come by to see him, and of that he was glad. The night waned on, but Pitch stayed in his room waiting until the wee hours of the morning. He had planned to go much earlier, but every time he'd get the nerve up to go, something held him back, some niggling fear that he might get caught, and how he most assuredly did not wish to get caught!

When he was certain that he would not be seen, he crept out of his room and moved carefully down the halls. The occasional yeti or elf moved about, but nothing that Pitch had no trouble sneaking past. He had lived in and out of shadows long enough that even without his ability to disappear into them, he could still navigate in them almost unseen.

The trickiest part was sneaking past the yeti that guarded the entrance to the stables, but through careful maneuvering, Pitch slipped by undetected punching in the access code and moving into the stables. He strode confidently now up to the stalls calling to the one he had seen earlier that afternoon to come to him. He took a couple sugar cubes out of his pocket that he'd grabbed from the kitchen on the way back to his room, and the reindeer ate them gratefully. He smiled at it as he cooed, "How would you like to go for a little romp my antlered friend?"

The reindeer merely snorted its indifference looking for more sugar cubes. Pitch patted its neck warmly before heading to the wall and unharnessing a bit with a set of reins on it. Coming back to the beast, he worked the bit into place, tightening it, before he pulled out another sugar cube for the reindeer as he then unlatched the gate to lead it carefully out of the stall. He walked it down the hall finding a bucket to stand on and used it to jump on the back of the reindeer which startled it, and it began to buck, "Woah! Woah there!" Pitch tried to comfort the beast before it took off with him on it racing down the tunnel at top speed.

The creature was being unmanageable Pitch realized much to his dismay. Of course they were, these creatures had never been ridden before and were not tame in that manner. Still, Pitch steadied himself letting out a whoop of joy, "Yes! Run! Keep running!" It didn't matter that he wasn't in control of the creature now as long as it was leaving the North Pole.

Bounding down the long narrow tunnel, Pitch could see it opened into some sort of docking area, but instead of continuing to run, the creature instead slowed casually walking up to where they would normally await getting attached to Santa's sleigh. Yeti guarded this entrance as well, and upon seeing Pitch on one of the reindeer barked out pointing fingers at him. Pitch's eyes widened as he kicked the beast's sides to spurn it on, and to his luck, it was enough to startle the creature to bolt once more heading out of the docking area and launching into the air with him!

Pitch screamed in triumph as he held on for dear life. The reindeer darted across the sky at an even more impressive speed than one of his nightmares, but unlike one of his nightmares, once the creature had made it to the great wide open, it seemed to realize that it wasn't attached to its master's sleigh and decided it needed to return home. As it spun back around Pitch shouted out, "No! Stop you stupid animal!" But the reindeer did not heed his commands and instead bucked violently causing Pitch to lose his grip as he fell off of its back. He screamed as he plummeted back to the Earth at such a velocity that the impact knocked him out cold, face first in the snow.