Yep, it's probably been 6 weeks or something. Blegh, I'm tired and busy and stressed. Before you continue, there are some spoilers from the final book, and it is a continuation from The Secret of Friends. Yeah, hope you enjoy!

Landing in Antarctica, the one place where he could fully emerge himself in his thoughts, Jack clenched his teeth in anger. How could he not when not a single person believed him?

Pitch needed help to escape from the fearlings holding him captive. Jack thought he had died back in the 1930s, but the boy's attempt to alleviate Kozmotis from the fearlings resulted in them becoming stronger. However, after the Guardians' latest victory, Jack felt their power weakening once more.

Sure he didn't have the scar from before, but they had to remember that part of Pitch's blood still ran in his veins.

"I can't believe this whole time we thought you were dead." Jack stood on the edge of a cliff, peering at the expanse of water below. "I should have known the fearlings ravaged your body again." He held out his left hand and fisted it. "I even felt them!"

Looking back, the teen flew to the dark, icy structure made of frozen nightmare-sand. Even though it was immensely darkened by the grains of black sand, the ice still sparkled in the sunlight.

A light within the dark.

"You know, it was a surprise and a relief to find you again," Jack said as he ran his finger across a spike, "Sure you weren't Kozmotis, but at least there was a chance you were alive."

His breath hitched after the last syllable, staring ahead at himself. "There is a chance you're alive…"

"But I ruined it!" he suddenly yelled, smashing his reflection with a fist, "I failed you. I failed to keep my promise with Emily Jane."

"You haven't yet."

Wide-eyed, Jack turned around and saw the weakened Bogeyman. His scowl was still there, but it was much softer than the last time he saw the man. His eclipse-like eyes were still there, but his irises held a more golden hue than their typical silver. His wispy, black robe was still on, but this time he wore a familiar scabbard from his old days as a general.

"Kozmotis?" Jack whispered.

The man shook his head solemnly. "Still Pitch, but I managed to escape their hold for a little bit."

"Is there anything I could do to help?" the teen asked, "I wished the others believed me, but not even Sandy does."

The man shook his head. "I ruined that chance by attacking the Oak of Sorrows. I had thought to follow the fearlings' commands and fool them into allowing me to seek refuge; however, the Guardians hate me more."

"Well, what else did you expect?"

"Indeed," the Boogeyman huffed, "but it was not like I had any other choice. It was a desperate attempt, and at least one person understood the situation."

"It still could've gone better." Jack raised an eyebrow. "Plus, I don't remember you as much as the others. I only remember Pitch Black, not Kozmotis."

Pitch gave a sad smile. "I forgot you only began remembering your past as Nightlight at our penultimate battle."

"How could I? I lost my identity because of you," Jack claimed, "I have my teeth, but I don't get how I was ever human." He sighed. "Anyway, that doesn't matter. We need a way for the others to believe you still have a chance for redemption."

"It would only be a waste of time, your help is quite enough—"

"Emily Jane!" Jack interrupted as an idea sparked in his head, "We can get Mother Nature to help us out!"

The boogeyman blinked slowly. "How do you plan to have her accept my change? Frost, she stopped trusting me after she saw the man I became."

"She still loves you," the teen explained, "Plus, she's the only other person that's blood bonded to you. If I sensed it, then she definitely has, and she'll do whatever it takes to get her dad back."

"They would not let me in their homes after the damage I caused," Pitch pointed out.

"That's why we'll leave you defenseless."

Before he could object, Jack already flew off, dragging a reluctant Pitch with him.

"I still find this quite amusing," Emily Jane commented offhandedly as the trio glided through the clouds, heading off to the Pole.

When Jack and Pitch came to Mother Nature's Empire, it seemed as if the woman was expecting them. After all, the security spells were unactivated, her guards didn't even give them a passing glance, and her meeting place was already swamped with plates of Jack's favorite confectionaries and numerous teas. It didn't take long to explain why they came, but it did take a while for her to stop giggling. After all, a pouty Boogeyman tied up by ice chains was hilarious.

Very hilarious.

"Do I have to be bound by pointless filigree?" the former general complained once more.

All he received was a mirth-filled laugh. "You were the one who said how North wouldn't let you in the Pole."

"How would this help?" Pitch questioned indignantly.

The teen shrugged. "I mean, you are defenseless with them on. Those chains are made of pure permafrost, a type of indestructible ice I make, and not even a roaring flame can melt them. North knows that because I typically frost up the projects that he uses as models with it."

"Do not forget my ice sculptures are coated in your creation, Jack Frost," Mother Nature added, "I do not understand how it is so clear! Normally, permafrost is cloudy, yet yours is not."

Flustered by the praise, Jack peered at the fading sunlight as they flew through yet another time zone. Glancing below, he could faintly see the outline of North's towering home against the white snow. "Hey Emily, we need to dive down before we miss the Workshop."

"Oh Jack, ever so vigilant," Emily Jane mused before following the teen's lead.

Soon, they dove onto the domed roof of the North Pole, Jack playfully tugged on the chain in his hand. "Oh come on, Pitch!"

"I still doubt this plan," the Nightmare King argued, meeting his daughter's knowing gaze, "What?"

"Father, they will believe it once they hear me say it," the woman countered, "After all, I can sense it as well."

"Hmm, I suppose."

Taking the mutter as a yes, Jack unlatched the skylight window and hopped in, a leashed Bogeyman and a hopeful Mother Nature following along. As Jack and Emily Jane landed perfectly into the Globe Room, Pitch was in a heap as he was tangled in his icy links.

They were met with 6 faces full of shock.

"The heck?" Vanish broke the tangible silence. "I know you make dramatic entrances, but you could at least have knocked on the door!"

"Frostbite, why the bloody hell would you bring Pitch here?" Bunny reached for his boomerang, only to be intercepted by his burly friend. "What, North?"

"No need to get defensive, Bunny," North proclaimed, grinning slightly, "You three, please have a seat."

Winking at the boogeyman, the boy placed himself in one of the chairs furthest from the fire, Pitch beside him. Mother Nature went on the other side of her father, leaving him in the middle of the arc.

"Dingle, bring cookies and eggnog," North called a passing elf over and ordered, "Make sure none are eaten like last time!"

"Wasn't last time when I came here?" Jack stared at the man. "Please don't say that I had elf slobber on my food!"

"Of course not!" North denied, but Jack's suspicions didn't die down.

Bunny rolled his eyes. "Emily Jane, could you explain why you and your father are here? You're the only one who's not a gala."

"Hey!"

Chuckling, Mother Nature ignored the glare sent at her. "I sensed something peculiar about Father through my blond bond with him, and I knew Jack Frost would come by as he must have felt the same. Not only that but he is able to comprehend what he senses, unlike me." Pausing, the woman turned to Pitch. "I did not think I would face the man that I once, and still, love."

"Are you saying that Sweet Tooth was right? Pitch is different?" Tooth tilted her head to the side in contemplation.

"Nah, there's no way!" Bunny argued, "If that wanka really did improve, then why'd he attack Jack's home a few hours ago?"

"I did it out of necessity." Pitch sighed, closing his eyes. "I had to please the fearlings; otherwise, they would not let me gain control. As it is, they hope to destroy me to shreds once I lose my grip."

"Please, you guys have to have faith in me. I'm not lying!" Jack pleaded, the teen knowing fully well that Kozmotis wasn't going to last for long.

Vanish put the quill dagger she was toying with into her bag, crossing her arms. "Frosty boy, even if you say is true, how are we going to pull out the fearlings? He will die if we try to get them out."

"I would rather die than be their puppet for one last day." The man deadpanned at the young fairy. "We could at least try, correct? What is the extraction process?"

"We need all relics and combine them, but Nightlight is Jack," North stated.

Gritting his teeth, the teen tried to come up with some plan. He wanted to restore Pitch to his old self, yet when the time comes, he can't do it! Although, maybe… "North, we can still do it. There's another way!"

"What's that gonna be?" Bunny asked, "Mate, your dagger melted away back in 1933. There's not much left to do."

"Well, you might just be wrong, Bun Bun. I can craft a new dagger filled with Pitch's sadness," His gaze fell on the Nightmare King. "and he's full of it. I just need a way to trap his tears."

Pitch glumly peered back, hand holding his head up. "Are you sure this would even work?"

"It has to."

It's short but sweet. Plus, brevity is gold *winks*. I hope y'all enjoyed my delirious writing. I legit rewrote most of it today xD I'm deaaaaad.