At the North Pole, chaos seems to be taking over. Up near the globe, North is intently staring at it. "What do you mean she wasn't home?!" Bunny yells at Jack behind him. The white hair boy yells back, "Exactly what I said! She tends to work late, but she didn't even try to get a hold of me or anything! I waited for an hour before coming here!"

"You didn't look for her!?"

"Of course I did! Would I be here if I didn't?"

"Guys! This is helping Avia!" A feminine voice shouts as Tooth fairy flies in and separates them. "Bunny, you need to calm down. Jack, did you happen to check her work?" Jack's eyes widen, and he hits himself in the head. "Dangit! I didn't even think about that!"

Sandman, who was standing next to North, pats Santa's leg. The bearded man looks down, and Sandy gives him a question mark. "Her light is still on map, I am watching to see where.... It goes?" As he turns his eyes back to the globe, the light fizzles out and he gazes up towards the northern pole.

The light appears again.

"Jack! Bunny!" He yells, before quickly moving down towards his sleigh shed. It was where, with the help of Avia, they had set up an area for her to drive through safely.

And only in emergencies.

North doesn't have to look back to make sure the others are following. He can hear them rushing after him, wings fluttering and feet slamming. It seems like eons until they finally make it down to the elevator, but even then, it seems to take forever just to drop down a few stories.

Once they make it and the elevator stops, Jack and Bunny don't wait for the door to open. They jump over the gate and rush off. The other three quickly follow and nearly slam straight into the backs of Jack and Bunny.

Before them, Stardust was attempting to comfort a fear-stricken Avia, leaning against the front of her car. Her eyes were wide and cheeks soaked from tears. Her eyes lift and lock on to the group, and she shudders out one, shaky sentence that makes the room drop in temperature.

"P-Pitch... H-He's b-back...."

She then extends a hand a opens it to release a small handful of black sand. As it floats and nears Sandy, it turns back into a golden color and he holds it carefully. His own eyes are wide, and he turns towards his friends in worry.

Jack and Bunny move forward first, Jack joining Stardust on one side and Bunny on the other. Jack speaks first. "What happened?"

Avia struggles to tell everything, and Bunny lays a paw on her shoulder. "Take it easy. Slow down. You're safe now." Taking in a deep breath, Avia shudders out a sigh and starts over. "I h-had worked ll-ate and was walking back to m-my car when I... I-I got the feeling someone was w-watching me. I kept trying to f-figure out why North wanted to s-see me, and all I could think about was... P-Pitch... When I got to m-my car, the l-lights flickered... A-and the dust... I-I got in quick, not realizing he... h-he was in... He told me... To warn you, s-send you a message... That h-he's not through yet... Th-Then he sh-showed m-me my worst f-fear.... "

Avia stops speaking as Jack wraps her in his arms. "It's okay... We're all here now. You're safe...." His gaze lifts to meet North's, and the older man shakes his head. "I had no idea of Pitch's return. I was wishing to ask you about a project I need help on." His face becomes stern. "However, if he truly is back, we must prepare. Jack, take Avia home to rest for now and keep an eye out. Bunny, Sandy, Tooth, we must prepare." Everyone nods their heads, and North turns to Stardust, who moved out of Jack's way. "Stardust... You do not have to join us if-"

"No."

Santa stops, as everyone else does. All heads turn towards Stardust, except Bunny, Jack, and Avia. The half nightmare raises her eyes to the others. "I may be half of his creation, but I am no longer a part of him. You have accepted me and Avia is my friend..... I'm in." North smiles and Sandy claps happily. He gestures for the young nightmare to follow him, and she does so quickly. Soon, everyone except Jack and Avia are gone, and the girl finally begins to breathe normally. 

"Are you ready to head back now?" Jack asks, and the girl nods her head. Carefully, she stands straighter and Jack helps her walk to her car. "I'll be right behind you, but I will stay outside your house tonight. Okay?" The girl, having sat in her driver's seat, nods again. She turns towards him, sniffling. "Thank you... Jack...." A soft smile plays on her face, and Jack returns it. "Of course."