The wind gently ruffled Jamie's hair as he peeked over the edge of North's sleek sleigh, down at the sprawling green mass that was the top of the Tree of Life. When the plant had burst from the ground in rumbling splendor, the Guardians had rose up into the sky to watch it bloom like a green rose; its branches spread out in a grand sphere as wide as two football fields, stretching from the wrecked forest floor hundreds of feet below the bough up to hundreds of feet into the sky. Jamie could see the sunlight reflecting on the little beady fruits that contained the record of nature; they had seemed so huge in the Tree's reduced form, but now, they were buried deep within the massive green leaves like little white-gold berries, hundreds of them sparkling like hidden treasures within the depths. He jumped as the dark dinosaur collided with the beefy trunk, except at the point of impact, Jack's clear ice burst forth in a thick, shearing wall. His eyes began to water miserably. Jack and Nat were still fighting.
"It's all my fault," he sobbed again. He hung his head in shame as the Guardians looked at him. "If I hadn't tried to help… Nat would still be…"
"Oh, Jamie, sweetie," the Tooth Fairy cooed and hugged her head to her feathered chest. "You didn't meant to. I'm sure Mother Nature doesn't blame you for anything." Jamie sniffed and buried his face into her. His tears caught on the fibers of her feathers to glimmer like little diamonds among the colorful display.
"She's right," the Easter Bunny drawled in his Australian accent. "Don't get down! Nat is still alive 'n kickin', ain't she? Instead of cryin', you should be rootin' for 'em down there." Jamie turned to look at them tearfully. They were all smiling. Could they really not blame that at all for the fact that Nat was going to die? The Sandman hobbled over to give him a pat on the head while North procured a little wooden bird to try and make him feel better. Jamie took it and hugged it to his chest, then nodded firmly. I have to believe in her and Jack… And all the rest of them, too. I can still help by supporting them!
"You're right. They're not fighting alone!"
Jack was panting heavily. Pitch was eye-level with him now, standing on his swirling purple-black platform of sand several yards away. The Bogeyman was flailing his arms to fling screwing spiraling spears of the hardened sand at the Tree, and growing more frustrated by the second as Jack continuously deflected the blows with his blooming ice. The Tree was decorated with the crystalline structures now, making it seem like it was in the height of spring; sunlight danced in kaleidoscopic arrays across their pointed surfaces, showering Jack and Nat in dappled white light. The golden light was still pulsing in rivers through the bark. It was much brighter now, nearly overtaking the slim lines of wood between the grooves.
"I'll kill you both!" Pitch howled in deranged mania and sent a large spear of sand right for him. Jack grunted and pushed into the tree again; a thick shield of ice shot up in front of them, shaking violently as the sand continuously pummeled against it like a pressure washer.
"Nat… I don't know how long I can keep this up," he groaned and looked over his shoulder at her. His white hair was slicked to his forehead as perspiration rolled down him in beading bullets. She was no worse for wear; she was incredibly pale now, slumped entirely against the tree with her hand flopped down against the top of her head, only the tips of her fingers still in contact with the Tree.
"Please help us," she was begging repeatedly in quiet whispers. "Please… I need you… The world needs you… Wake up!" Jack clenched his teeth at her pitiful begging. He whipped around, dropping the ice shield as he did, and looked up at the clear blue sky. He knew he was watching. Even if he wasn't showing, he could always see- the Man in the Moon.
"Can't you do something?!" he howled up into the endless expanse. "Are you just going to watch while we're doing everything we can?!"
"Praying to the Man in the Moon now? Are you all out of options?" Pitch cackled, and Jack was only just able to form another ice shield before the sand exploded before him. He winced as he heard the ice cracking under the relentless assault. Through the viscous glass-like surface, he saw Pitch whip out his scythe to strike at North as the sleigh dove down to greet him.
"Come on," he whined, body slumping as all his muscles screamed in protest. Had Pitch really been this strong last time they fought? Had all the anger and revenge made him this much tougher? They were going to lose. He could feel it. If someone didn't step in- He heard Nat cry out in a shrill whine and turned around to see her fall face-first into the bough of the Tree. "No, no. Nat. Stay with me," he babbled as he scrambled towards her, hoping the others could keep Pitch busy enough. He slid on his knees to pull her against him. Her head flopped lifelessly onto his shoulder; her emerald eyes had darkened with exhaustion and were glossed over. The only way he could tell that she was alive was through the weak rise and fall of her chest. "Nat, come on, don't give up."
"She can't… hear me…" Screaming in frustration, Jack punched the Tree, only to rip the skin from his knuckles. He was numb to the burning pain because of the absolute shredding of his heart.
"Come on," he pleaded again, voice breaking and tears falling from his eyes. He hugged Nathalie to his chest and gently rocked her back and forth. He grabbed her hand and pressed it down hard into the wood of the Tree, praying she could keep up that connection. "Come on, come on, come on… She's your champion, isn't she?! How can you just stand aside and watch as she gives her life for nothing?! Are you really going to just let all her efforts go to waste like this?" he demanded angrily. He didn't even know if he was being heard, but it was all just too much; they had come too far, sacrificed too much, for it all to fall apart now.
"Jack…" Her smiling face was blurred with the angry tears brimming in his eyes. "Thank you…"
"No, don't start that," he begged her and began pressing desperate, open-mouthed kisses to her face and forehead. "Just a little longer… Hang on… We'll save the Tree, I promise…" His lips found hers, and they were so cold against his, stiff and unmoving. He whispered her name against her mouth, as if he could breathe a little more life into her even as her ragged breath fogged between their faces from the chill he was spreading through her body. Jack didn't look up as his ice shield cracked and shattered and the black sand came rushing over them; he curled around her body, the sharp sand and shards of his own ice shredding into his clothes and hair and skin. "Nat… Please… Don't go…" he pleaded.
As the whirling mass of sand enclosed around him, Jack prepared for the end.
And then, suddenly, it was… Warm.
I heard you, young one.
Jack cracked his eye open to see that a bubble of golden light had formed around them. He mistook it for a second for Sandy's golden threads of sand, but that wasn't it; a thin film of barrier spread between the slowly-moving threads of light, not unlike the bubbles that enclosed the various biome fruits of the Tree of Life. The sand was pounding against it uselessly. Suddenly, the bubble began to expand, forcibly pushing away Pitch's black sand. It jumped back to its master, who was standing amongst thrashing tendrils of the stuff with an expression of anger and horror. The Tree was unharmed, as just a few centimeters above its surface pulsed the barrier; it had enclosed the entire structure in its defensive hold, preventing Pitch from making so much as a scratch.
"Is this her doing?!" Pitch howled. Jack looked down at Nat, who was still in his arms.
"No… This is different…" he murmured as he compulsively swept a few of her tangled strands from her white, cold face. She was alive, but barely. Her green irises just barely showed through her thick lashes as she stared up at the shell of light shielding them. Her pink lips slowly curled into a weary smile.
"She came…"
Yes. I am sorry for the delay. I have mustered all of my power to face this great evil. You have done very well, young Nathalie. Jack instinctively hugged Nat to him as a form began to take shape within the bubble before them. The clear fluid-like matter inlaid with gold streams bubbled up to form the shape of a woman, hair streaming in waves down to her feet. The strands continuously moved like she was underwater. Her eyes and mouth were made of pure sunlight, and though they were indistinct in the constantly-shifting landscape of her face, Jack couldn't deny that it looked incredibly kind. The woman-like form walked over to kneel down beside Nat and gently stroke her short hair. Mother Nature, my young champion… The woman's mouth didn't move in any semblance of speaking, but Jack could hear her voice clearly. And you, Jack Frost. He jumped slightly when she looked at him. Her voice carried quite the amount of wonder. So curious. You are the antithesis of Mother Nature. I thought surely that if you two were ever to come into contact, there would be dire consequences, and yet… She looked into the expanse of the branches, where Jack's ice still glittered like massive flowers among the leaves. You two worked together to protect the Tree.
"Of course I did," he huffed haughtily, puffing out his cheeks indignantly.
The Man in the Moon chose quite a spirited one, she laughed teasingly. Her laugh sounded like the ringing of clear bells on a spring morning. She looked out to the sky and Jack did too; the full moon was blazing among the clouds though it was the height of the day. It seemed Jack's yelling hadn't been for nothing. Pitch Black has grown far stronger than we ever imagined. We shall purge this plague from the planet once and for all. Jack didn't feel the least bit sorry for Pitch at the amount of venom dripping from her voice. Earth stood and strolled out from the boughs of the Tree, walking on thin air with her hand streaming behind her like golden fire. Pitch cowered in his nest of darkness, taking a few hesitant steps back.
"How is this possible? I know I killed her. How did she have the strength to summon you?" he hissed.
Because, she responded matter-of-factly, unlike you, my vassals have strength of heart. They are far stronger than you can ever wish to be.
"I'll destroy you! This world can still be mine!" Pitch yowled and sent the sand barreling towards her. The woman stopped and held up her arms on either side of her, like she were welcoming it. A ripple of energy pulsed up the Tree, making Jack gasp and look up. He spotted one of the glistening bubbles within the leaves and was shocked to see it was now glowing with golden light; then, little golden spirits began to bleed out, wispy golden forms of elk and wolves and foxes and hawks flying out of the sphere to bound into the air. Above their heads, the golden animals gathered in a cacophonous mass not unlike the storm Pitch had conjured at the beginning of their fight.
"Two can play at that game!" Pitch growled, and his sand whirled around him to re-form the ugly, distorted visions of wildlife. He sent them surging upwards, and the purple and gold forms clashed splendidly like fireworks in the sky. It was very evident from the outset that Pitch was overpowered. "Impossible!" he howled in agony as his animals exploded into useless dust one after the other.
These mockeries could never hope to surpass my creations, Earth laughed. Pitch paced frantically atop his floating platform, tearing at his greasy hair.
"No… No… Not again… My plan was flawless! Flawless! How can this be?" he wailed.
You made the mistake of underestimating my chosen Guardian. Return to the crypt from whence you came and reflect. As the last of Pitch's animals was obliterated, the stampede of golden animals bounded towards him to surround him in a whirling maelstrom of golden light. He turned in a circle as they swirled around him, overwhelming him with their golden brilliant. With a final animalistic howl as they converged on him, he wrapped the sand around himself to flee down to earth, vanishing within the shadows. The animals chased after him, flooding in a golden river through the ruined forest, before they dissolved into a sparkling shower of glimmering gold dust. If there is anything that wretch excels at, it is running away, she scoffed.
"Amazing…" Jack breathed in awe. She had taken him down almost as if it were nothing. He doubted that she was even using a fraction of her power. It almost invalidated the valiant effort he and Nat had put up earlier.
Do not disparage yourselves. Pitch Black had been significantly weakened by your and Nathalie's efforts. If I had been facing him at his prime, that would have been a longer battle, the woman remarked, like she had read his mind. She was still standing out in the open air but facing him now. Jack bundled up the barely-breathing girl in his arms and jumped out of the Tree, skipping on his wintery wind to her.
"Please. Can you save her?" he asked hopefully, desperately. Her head tilted as she surveyed Nat. She was completely limp in Jack's arms, head fallen back and emerald eyes closed and hands resting limply over her stomach. She was barely clinging to life, and the ice that had encrusted her body wasn't helping. Jack himself was flushed and panting with heat. He felt like he was melting from the inside out. His vision hazed at the edges as he unsteadily stumbled in the air. "Please… I love her… I don't think I can live without her," he begged weakly. Her golden eyes flickered up to meet his momentarily, then she tossed a glance over shoulder at the shining moon where the Man in the Moon observed silently.
I can save her, and we will undo your curses, as well, she agreed when she turned back to him. Jack almost dropped out of the sky fainting with relief and happiness. However, you must assure me that you will not forget yourselves. The balance of the world is dependent upon the two of you. Jack nodded emphatically in acknowledgement. Earth smiled charmingly at him before she waved a hand, and Nathalie began to glow with the soft golden light. Jack gasped lightly as it surrounded her form, and then she began to float up out of his arms. Her white dress rippled with the slight air current as she rose to hover between them, golden light growing brighter with every passing moment. Behind Earth, the moon also began to glow, spilling silvery moonbeams down on the unconscious girl. Jack watched in wide-eyed wonder as the two lights streamed around her in an oval shell, like interlocking water currents swirling in river rapids. She is fading…
"What?!"
Our powers will not be effective if Nathalie herself does not possess the will to live. She had been incredibly weakened. I fear she cannot hold on.
"No! She has to! Nathalie!" he cried and lunged forward to grab her. He instantly recoiled with burning pain as his hands plunged into the ball of light and took hold of her; he yanked his palms back to find them an angry pink.
You two have been in contact with one another for too long. The curse is strengthening to try and counteract your opposing natures.
"I don't care," Jack growled and coated his hands over in ice. "I'm not letting her go. If my ice melts, I'll just make more. I can do it!" he insisted. Without waiting for her permission, he leaned over Nathalie to envelop her in an embrace, turning her and pulling her entire body flush against him. The ice he had built down his front instantly began to hiss and melt with heat, and he concentrated all his energy in keeping a consistent barrier. There was nothing to protect Nathalie, however, and she began to shiver violently as frost spread across her skin. "Come on, Nat," he whispered as he pressed a long kiss into her dirty golden hair. "Please come back to me." The silver-and-gold film enveloping her body began to grow and pulse with energy.
She hears you.
That was all the encouragement he needed.
"Nathalie. Nathalie, I told you I would find a way, right? Please don't give up now. We're so close. Please, just open your eyes, say something," he begged her. Tears were brimming up in his eyes again. His heart leaped in his chest as he saw her frosted eyelashes flutter. "That's it. Come on, Nat. You're so strong. Come back now." At this point, North had pulled up the sleigh alongside them, and Jamie was sitting up on his knees leaning over the edge watching with bated breath. His ice was melting faster than he could make it. He hissed at the burning heat flooding over his stomach and chest, but he be damned if he let her go now. The pulsing light was burning into his irises at the sheer intensity; the film had spread over him as well, now, casting him in its ethereal glow. The barrier flowed like water over the two of them. He felt it bubbling over his skin, cool to the touch and a welcome respite to his burning skin. Nathalie's teeth chattered as she was wracked with tremors in his arms. Her ragged breath puffed in white clouds in front of his face as her head still continued to hang limply back at a dramatic angle. Was it not working?
His ears began to ring with a low but shrill whine. The light was streaming around him at blinding speed now; he couldn't see anyone, anything, nothing but the girl he loved in his arms. Every part of him felt like it was on fire and he was sure that Nat felt the same, but he couldn't let go. Her eyes were rapidly moving under her eyelids as her lashes continued to flutter, and she breathed out his name. Jack wasn't sure if it was the reflection of the light beams in his eyes, but he could swear that the streams had invaded their bodies, coursing through their veins in pure energy. His body was humming like a quiet engine, rapidly gaining pitch. "Nathalie," he whispered as he leaned in to lightly run the tip of his nose up the side of hers. "Don't give up on me, Nat." He had told her that as they sat together in Toothiana's palace, having no idea of the trial that was looming ahead of them. He meant it just as much then as he meant now. Face scrunching up miserably, he pressed his cheek into hers, nose buried in her beautiful hair. "Don't give up."
"Jack." He felt her hands wrap tightly around the upper muscle of his arms, and in response, he hugged her tighter. The light was screaming now, blinding; he couldn't open his eyes no matter how much he wanted to. Jack could feel it singing shrilly in his veins, and slowly, very slowly, the burning in his body waned, just as the light crashed around them in tremendous symphony…
When Nathalie opened her eyes, the azure sky was stretching above her. With every deep breath she took, her chest brushed against Jack's with how tightly she was pressed up to his body. Jack, she realized suddenly, lifting her head groggily. His icy blue eyes were there to greet her, sparkling with tears and overwhelming joy. "How?" she murmured as he swept a hand into her golden locks, which had somehow grown back to its long, waving length around her knees. The burn marks weren't littering her skin anymore either and she could breathe freely now.
Most importantly, he was holding her, and Nathalie felt no pain at all.
"I told you. I would find a way," he smiled cheekily. Gently, his fingertips swept over her soft cheek in ghosting touches.
"I heard you calling for me…" she sighed as she relaxed against him. Her feet were dangling in the open air, but secure in Jack's arms, she had no fear of falling. She suddenly became aware of eyes on her, and she looked over her shoulder to see the glimmering form of Earth standing calmly behind her. "You…"
You and Jack are free to be with one another as you please. The Tree of Life is safe, and life has returned to the world, she reported with a sweeping arm. Nathalie glanced down to see that the rainforest had burst into life anew; all the ripped and shredded trees had been replaced with new towering growths. She could feel the energies of the animals below, content and at ease now that Pitch's darkness was vanquished. Pitch Black was not utterly destroyed; he is surely hiding away, biding his time for another scheme.
"Undoubtedly," Nat sighed before looking at Jack with a smile, "but it will be a long time before he dares show his face again."
"Naaaaaaaat!" She turned to see Jamie hanging halfway out of the sleigh, legs kicking wildly as he groped in open air for her. Jack hurriedly jumped forward with her to catch him as he tipped over, and Nat grabbed him to hold him gently in a motherly hug. "I'm so glad you're okay!" he sobbed as he pressed his face into her. "I'm sorry…"
"It's all right, Jamie. You're safe. That's all that matters."
"Great. Now that everythin' is all hunky-dory, I guess we can deal with the facts that you two fools snuck outta the North Pole, eh?" the Easter Bunny scolded with a deep scowl. Jack flinched and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Yeah… About that…"
As the adults started chastising them fiercely, Nathalie looked back to the glowing form of the Earth smiling behind her. With a gentle wave, she began dissolving into gold dust, returning her life force to the Earth below.
I hope your second life is a long and happy one, my child.
Nathalie smiled as she laid her head down onto Jack's shoulder. She had no doubt it would be.
