Jack flew faster and faster, straining himself to the point where he if he stopped he would fall straight to the ground. But it was worth it. A sliver of gold among the black sky told him he had made it.
Rapunzel.
His heart leapt when he saw her, but the relief was short-lived. Tied up and surrounded by nightmares, her eyes sought out Jack, filling with relief. His vision was soon obscured by nightmares.
And Pitch.
He screamed into the night, letting out all the rage and frustration and anxiety that had built up in him. He unleashed it all at Pitch, illuminating the sky in a blue light. Pitch staggered back, laughing.
"So worked up over such a little thing Jack." he taunted, circling Jack. Jack flew directly at Pitch, swinging his staff. A staff of black sand formed in front of Pitch, and Jack met it head on with his own. They pushed against each other, Jack's face a mask of indescribable fury while Pitch's one of wild exhilaration. Jack blasted Pitch away from him, sending him sprawling. He rushed over to Rapunzel, meeting the cloud of nightmares head on.
"Out of my way!" he screamed. He blasted them away with his staff, catching Rapunzel as she fell away from them. Her face was scared and pale. He set down on a rooftop, panting. Rapunzel threw her arms around him.
"Oh Jack, I'm so sorry." she whispered as Jack hugged her tightly. Jack squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stop the tears that threatened to spill.
"I'm just glad you are back." he whispered hoarsely. A dark cackle drove Jack to his feet. He stood protectively over Rapunzel, turning in a circle.
"How sweet, the lovers reunion." A jet of sand came from Jack's left. He deflected it and charged at Pitch.
"No one touches Rapunzel!" he shouted angrily, shooting at Pitch. They moved across the sky, Pitch taunting Jack while Jack tried to hit him. Pitch laughed wildly.
"Come on Jack, you can do better than that." he spat. Jack lunged at him, hitting the jet of sand he threw head on. He staggered back, wiping blood from the side of his mouth. Pitch smiled evilly.
"Or maybe you need a bit more motivation." He disappeared into the shadows. Jack whirled around, searching.
"Come out and fight Pitch!" he called, but there was no response.
A whistling sound reached Jack's ears.
Pitch stood across from him, just as he fired a dark arrow. It wasn't aimed at Jack.
"Rapunzel!" he screamed.
Time slowed down. He flung himself towards her, the wind whistling past him.
No…
He pressed on even harder.
I have to get to her!
He dived down towards Rapunzel, twisting her under him as the arrow struck.
It buried itself into Jack's back.
"NO! JACK!" Rapunzel's scream was distant, and her voice was fuzzy. Jack looked up at her, to see her beautiful green eyes filling with tears. He lifted up his arm and gently wiped them away.
"Don't cry Princess." he whispered. Rapunzel shook her head, the tears falling for real now.
"Jack, stay with me." she whispered, cradling his face. She tried to wrap her hair around his wound, but the black sand repelled her. Jack smiled at her, a beautiful sad smile that turned all her insides to dust.
"It was a pleasure knowing you Princess." he whispered, before those beautiful blue eyes closed, before all the colour drained from his face.
On that day, just as the sun broke over the horizon, the Princess of Corona leant over the body of Jack Frost, shedding golden tears for the greatest hero to walk the earth.
