Jack paused, careful to decide whether or not he should risk it. If he missed, or even if he hit his mark, he would be out cold for more than two minutes. And two minutes would be all the nightmarish man would need to get to Alice and Jaime. He'd only used the move once, not even fully understanding it to this day.

But he needed to do something. The seemingly unending onslaught of the unrelenting obsidian sand cut into him and his clothes, causing them to split apart, leaving pale skin vulnerable. But he couldn't let them get to Alice and Jaime.

The other children had fled, following Jack's orders and Jaime's encouragements. Only the two winter spirits, old and new, and the first believer remained in the area. Time seemed to drag on with each strike set out towards the youngest winter spirit, which brought the older to fend off, as he knew the other hadn't the time to learn anything other than how to make snow and the proper defense with a staff. His hoodie as torn to bits now, the sleeves barely hanging on his shoulders with the stitches torn and ripped. He needed to do something, but he couldn't risk something like that simply on the fact that it had worked once with no way for him to know how to do the same move again.

He hissed at other pain that the next attack brought, noting faintly the streaking pain that dissipates as the wound iced over on his skin. It was another laceration that would be needed to be tended later-by a mothering Tooth no less. Bunny would gripe at him for not calling them to help-not that he had the time to in the middle of the battle- and them jokingly ask if he was alright. North would panic over Alice's well-being, Jack knew he still deeply cared for the fragile girl new winter spirit or not.

"Jack... I'm scared..." He winced at the words, the phrase echoing in his mind. He stole a glance at the two he was protecting.

Alice had taken to standing as protectively as she could muster in front of the first believer. She had her staff held high and rightfully defensively join the front of her body. Jaime was standing directly behind the winter spirit, body hidden by the bigger one. But their faces didn't deny the fear that was held there.

And there wasn't anything he could do at the moment to take that fear away from the two.

He was brought back to the fight when the nightmarish man sent forth a single obsidian formed stallion. But Jack was not fooled. Where one remnant of fear was, more lurked nearby, whether hidden or given to the masses in plain view. The only problem,, was that he couldn't tell where they were. If they were hidden behind him, then he couldn't protect Alice and Jaime. It finally struck out on him, seeking for his torso, but with a well placed strick to its forehead, it only managed the side of his rib cage. Which still sent streaking pain down his body.

"I must say, Frost, I'm surprised you lasted this long. But then again," The nightmarish man chuckled, raising a pale hand to shoulder length. "It doesn't matter to me if you make it, so perhaps I'll start actually playing with you." With that, Pitch brought his hands together in a clap the echoed just as loudly as the cracking ice behind him.

And it wasn't too long until he heard the screams that resulted when he was struck point blank in the chest with a pointed strike of sand. His staff fell from his hands and his world went completely silent. His pounding heart beat and the now ragged breaths moving through his lungs were the only things he could currently hear. He could feel the pulse ride over the obsidian sand that was still imbedded in his chest. It pounded heavily, his blood attempting to return to the heart, but it would never make it at this rate. Jack felt a warm liquid rise and stick to the back of his throat. Feeling the need, he coughed. Bringing his hand up, he was surprised to find the crimson life return on his shaking fingers.

There was a cackling that sounded in his ears. Oh, that was right. Pitch was here. He was trying to get at the two. Why did the snow always feel so safe? The utter cold that surrounded him, and swallowed up all his worries. He was surprised to find that the world was fading underneath his heavy eye lids. Since when was he so tired? He moved his hand, sliding it against the ash coloured flurries. His hand came in contact with flurries that were red now. Red and obsidian. He never remembered snow being red or black before. T

here was another scream that sounded in the back of his mind. It was a mixture of a boy's and a girl's scream. It was a scream of fear.

"Don't... Worry... I'll be fine... We'll be fine guys..." He coughed out. "I promise."

"What an adorable speech. Although not what I would say were famous last words. I would have though the youngest Guardian at least would have though of such things." The owner of the voice said quietly. "Tis a shame really."

He let out a groan as the pointed obsidian sand was twisted further into his chest. There was more crimson snow surrounding him now.

What a strange color for snow. It was so quiet now, just he and the red snow. Just the sound of his breathing and the faintest heartbeat could be heard. There was something he needed to be doing. But he couldn't remember for the life of him.

Oh... Wait... There was someone he couldn't leave behind. He didn't want to leave her.

The faint heartbeat was slowing. He could barely hear it now.

It was just him and the red snow and the sound of the faint heartbeat.

Well, just the red snow now...

And then... Not even that...

O.o By Da way... This is the real plot now.

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